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During a recent interview with Fox 7, John Paul DeJoria shared his motto: “Success unshared is failure.” He ensures no room for failure at his companies, from the Paul Mitchell School to his most significant project, Grow Appalachia. This organization provides the necessary tools for people to grow their food, market it, and ultimately support themselves.

“Every student participates in fundraising, and we underwrite every dime,” he said. “When you get someone on food stamps, or they go on disability, the government keeps feeding them.”

John Paul proudly states that Grow Appalachia has taken 150 families off food stamps.

“When you can afford it, you take those food stamps, put them back in the envelope, and send them back to the United States Government. We, the people, say, ‘Take me off the food stamp roll. I’m self-sufficient. Don’t waste that money; take it off the national deficit.'”

The program’s success even caught the attention of the White House.

“I went to Washington, DC, to meet with them,” he said. “I said, great, I’m ready to do it. I’ll come back to the White House. Never heard from them since.”

Despite this, John Paul holds no hard feelings.

“It’s not that the Obama Administration or the President doesn’t want to do it. Maybe he doesn’t know how. He’s never run a business,” he remarked.