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January 24, 2005Know Your Rebels: Farrah Gray
Rebel: Farrah Gray Age: 20 Representing: Chicago, IL/Las Vegas, NV Why you should fear him: For starters, he probably makes more money than you. At age 14, this young entrepreneur was a millionaire. Gray's entrepreneurial journey began at age six when he went door to door selling body lotion for $1.50. Always starting economic empowerment clubs at school, Gray got the idea to do a radio show. At age 9, Gray co-hosted a radio show called "Backstage Live" which eventually reached 12 million listeners. Feeling lazy yet? It gets better. By middle school, Gray had a nationwide speaking career, commanding $5,000-$10,000 per appearance. Puberty hits. While most young men were off discovering the opposite sex, Mr. Gray started his own specialty food company, "Farr-Out Foods", which he marketed to young people and sold for $1.5 million by his 14th birthday. He started the company with a make-shift "we're too poor to buy syrup" recipe from his grandmother. Now at age 20, Gray has his hands in multiple projects including the acquisition of "Inner City Magazine", his charitable foundation, "The Farrah Gray Foundation", which helps empower young inner city kids to think economically, and lastly, real estate investing. January 1st of this year, Gray released his first book, "Reallionaire: Nine Steps to Becoming Rich from the Inside Out", which lists the practical lessons that took him from public assistance to being a multi-millionaire. The book was published by "Health Communications Inc.) and is available at bookstores nationwide. Most impressive about Gray is the fact that as the youngest of five children, in a single parent household, he was never handed anything. The media has packaged him as a "self-made millionaire", but Gray is quick to give the credit to God's grace and mercy. His formal bio goes as such: "Farrah Gray was a card-carrying businessman at age six. At eight, he formed a business club that financed his neighborhood ventures. By age 14, he had an office on Wall Street and was a millionaire. He also served as the youngest member of the United Way Board of Directors. Gray's foundation provides seed money to young entrepreneurs. Now 20 years old, he’s the author of Reallionaire, which shares the lessons that took him from public assistance in Chicago’s inner city to millionaire row." If Farrah were giving lessons, I'd line up. Status: No college. Has opted to hold off on school, although he's stated in the past that he'd like an MBA. At this point, Wharton would probably grant him honorary letters just to have their name associated with Gray. Press/Interviews: Farrah Gray's Official Website, NPR: Interview with Tavis Smiley, Good Morning America Interview, Teen Capitalist Other Rebels: Hans Zeiger, Adam Hunter, Dwight Howard, Sheri Valera, Princella Smith Comments Posted by: BillyHW at January 25, 2005 12:51 AM No piece of paper yet- probably a benefit. Keeps him from being held back. Which he certainly hasn't done for himself. Posted by: Gerard E. at January 25, 2005 4:04 AM Very interesting story. Posted by: A. Lovely at January 25, 2005 4:46 AM The paper is for those of us who haven't made a million by the prom. Amazing, isn't it, how some people have that drive/nose for financial independence. Why him and not, say, the second oldest/youngest, who grew up under very similar circumstances? Fascinating. Posted by: memer at January 25, 2005 5:29 AM Impressive get-up-and-go! I'm such an underachiever.... Thanks for bringing these Farrah and the other folks to peoples's attention. By the way, where do you find your "rebels"? They are quite an interesting bunch! Posted by: Fed at January 25, 2005 6:27 AM What a stunning inspiration for young people everywhere in this "no wait, you're a [b]victim![/b]" society. I'll be sharing this with a mentoring group I work with. Thanks Ambra! Posted by: Mark La Roi at January 25, 2005 7:24 AM Why,yes, thank you, I am feeling lazy now. It's a good thing this guy is on our side. This level of determination and accomplishment at such a young age is really inspirational. I think this is my favorite recurring feature here, Ambra -- although I enjoy the fashion faux-pas immensely, too. Hey, we can't all be deep and thoughtful all the time, right?! Posted by: Joan at January 25, 2005 7:37 AM Ambra, Have you checked out what kind of magazine InnerCity is (with articles like "Janet uncensored!")? Just curious how you square that with your discussions about morality in the media... And Joan, How exactly do you know he's on "your side"... whatever the heck that is supposed to mean? All that said... he really is a REMARKABLE young man... and deserving of all his success... puts me to shame, for sure. Posted by: jab at January 25, 2005 8:24 AM All I know is that I'm buying his book. That's an impressive story. Posted by: zombyboy at January 25, 2005 8:54 AM He'd be better to not attend college at this point. He will only encounter a bunch of spoiled rich (parents) kids who don't do their homework and skip class. The liberal professors are another story. This guy is unreal. Good for him. Posted by: Noelle at January 25, 2005 12:31 PM America is a great country. Lots of reasons to feel humble. Posted by: Steven J. Kelso Sr. at January 25, 2005 12:44 PM Well now, I'm feeling hopeful instead of cynical. It just shows me how I too have been duped by the media even though I thought that somehow I hadn't bought into that victimization hooey. It's lovely to see that hard work and persistence can still pay off and the spark of the basic entrepreneurial endeavor is still alive. This young man has just taught this old woman a good lesson. It's probably wise that he has postponed the college lobotomization procedures for awhile. It would be ashamed to dim this bright star...there are so few of them in the night sky. Thanks Ambra. Where have I been hiding out that I hadn't heard of him before? I'm going to remedy that forthwith... Posted by: thefoxymama at January 25, 2005 2:14 PM wow--a giant of a talent. Some enterpreneurs truly are BORN, not made. He'd probably teach WHARTON a thing or two Posted by: Michele at January 28, 2005 12:30 AM |
 "...playful philosophizing" Dan Leroy, National Review Online
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(Important: If you arrived here via a search for "Farrah Gray," his personal website is: 
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Thank you Ambra for reminding me how much of a lazy bum I am. What a great way to start the day!