In The Pursuit of Happiness

BY Janelle Oswald



IN THE blockbuster movie The Pursuit of Happiness, Hollywood heartthrob Will Smith plays the character of homeless salesman-turned-stockbroker Chris Grander.
Inspired by a true story, Grander approaches a flash young jock driving a sports car. Mesmerised by the vehicle, Grander approaches the guy and asks: “What do you do to be able to afford such as nice car?”


Stunned by the question, the car owner politely replies: “I’m a stockbroker,” leaving Grander totally enthused to follow the stranger’s career footsteps.


At the end of the film, Grander drives off in the sunset in his new motor having accomplished his goals as a successful broker.


A moving story that touched millions around the globe, many critics argued that a tale like Grander’s could only happen in America – poor black man turns into a successful millionaire – however The Voice has found the UK’s version of Grander, Charles Gordon.


Pulling up outside the Hilton in his canary-yellow Lamborghini, dressed in a bespoke three-piece pinstripe suit, Gordon has just returned from Las Vegas where he was partying with the likes of Sug Knight, P-Diddy, Jay –Z and his wife Beyoncé, plus Sylvester Stallone while watching the recent Joe Calzaghe fight.


“Life is good,” say the multimillionaire who made his first million age 21.


“I’ve got my health, my businesses are flourishing but most importantly I’m happy,” he states.


“Have you seen the film The Pursuit of Happiness?” I promptly asked.


Smiling Gordon replied with a positive ‘yes’, stating that the movie holds a special place in his heart.


“The Pursuit of Happiness reminds me of me,” he laughs. “Although we come from different backgrounds Grander and I are quite similar, especially at the beginning when he asked where did you get that car?”


Observing the slick south Londoner, Gordon's demeanour overturns the notion that wealth doesn't contribute to a person's happiness.


“Of course money makes you happy,” he states with confidence. “It’s not the sole sauce of a person’s happiness but it plays a big part.


“I can remember when I couldn’t even afford to eat and slept on various friends’ floor. Now I have countless pads and I can eat whatever my heart desires without looking at the price.”


The 30 year-old who was romantically linked to Su-Elise, a former member of the British RnB group Mis-Teeq, told The Voice that his journey to success has not been an easy road.


“ I was always in trouble at school and I left without not knowing what I wanted to do or become,” said Gordon. “I was never an academic.”


Brought up by a traditional West Indian background – Father, Gassell is from Bahamas and mother Andréa is from Jamaica - Gordon’s lack of professional direction frustrated his father, resulting with him being booted out of the family’s nest.


Mirroring Grander’s homeless status and living from one friend’s floor to another, while out walking one day Gordon spotted a Porsche and was taken back by its sexy bodywork.


Nervously approaching the driver, Gordon asked: “What do you do to be able to afford such as nice motor?”


“Real estate,” replied the stunned driver in a Cockney accent. “I buy and sell properties.”


Determined to be a success, Gordon took the stranger’s telephone number, who he still keeps in contact with today, and began to research the property market.


Purchasing his first property deal in Dulwich, south east London for £43,000, Gordon renovated the house, found a buyer and sold the house earning himself £2,000 commission in the process.


“ I still remember how I felt closing my first deal,” stated Gordon, “it was better than sex.”


With the proceeds of his first deal, Gordon set up a letting office, which he was able to wrangle rent-free for six months, furnished it and was open for business.


“Yes, I’ve been lucky but I have also worked very hard,” states Gordon. “Many people want a business but are not prepared to put in the hard work.”


Reciting the philosophical saying: “Everybody want to eat the corn, but nobody wants to plant the seed, Gordon adds: “Life is definitely what you make it. What you reap, is what you sow.

“I’ve worked very hard to make it where I am today. None of this happened overnight and I definitely did not have a fairy Godmother.”


He continued: “What I did have was pure determination especially because everybody expected me to fail.”


The millionaire continued to state that because he was repeatedly told he would never be an academic on leaving school, his instinct was to start his own business, rather than go to college or work for an employer.


Sharing one of his secrets of his success, Gordon reveals to The Voice that he uses his ‘English sounding name,’ to his advantage by creating the public perception of a white-owned company.


“People didn’t know that Charles Gordon was a black man. I created an illusion the public wanted to see and it worked.”


He adds: “After I built a good reputation I then revealed I was the owner. It's not always about being pro-black, but winning."



Gordon’s concept was a success and within the fourth year of launching Charles Gordon Investment he had become a millionaire.


Making an average turnover of £8 million per year, Gordon’s success gave him the confidence to launch his second business adventure, Credence.


A prestige estate agent, Credence develops exquisite homes and gated community developments around the UK, which boast built-in jacuzzis and saunas.


However, the self-made millionaire did not stop there and his entrepreneurial skills led him to launch Charles Gordon Entertainment Management aka C Gem.


“ I decided to launch C Gem because I realised that the British music industry was lacking originality,” said Gordon.


And his initiative was spot on. Gordon’s musical prodigies represent some of the country's top artists and acts- including supreme dance duo Booty Luv.


Booty Luv’s first hit single Boogie2nite peaked at no.2 in the UK, spent 8 weeks in the top ten, and went on to sell over 200,000 records.


The group has recently been awarded silver plaques for their achievements on their debut album Boogie2nite which sold over 60,000 copies.


Booty Luv’s success has also secured them their own perfume fragrance and clothing collection with the popular high street brand Funky Fish Clothing.


Other artists in the C Gem’s portfolio include DJ Paleface, Big Brovaz, DJ SKT, Hannah Rose singer songwriter, new girl group Fe-Nix and new boy group UFO.


But all work and no play would as they say ‘make Gordon a dull boy’. When not in office, suited and booted, Gordon is sun tanning his frame on different exotic islands around the world and jet setting above London’s skyline as he is studying for his Private Pilot License (PPL).


“If I don’t allow myself to have enjoyment and learn how to eliminate the stress there would be no point to what I do,” says Gordon.


He adds: “If my physical, mental and spiritual health is not in order then I would not be any good to my businesses or my friends and family, especially my daughter.


Interrupted by his Blackberry for the umpteenth time, Gordon politely indicates that he needs to take care of business.


Ordering the bill, Gordon ends the interview by saying: “ I believe in the six Ps. Perfect planning prevents pxxs poor performance.


“If you apply this formula to most things in life, you will eliminate unnecessary stress, get the results that you need and most importantly separate the timewasters from those who mean serious business.”



Voice Online :: In The Pursuit of Happiness

Very good story indeed!!!...there are other brothas out there too breaking a neck in pursuit of their dreams hopefully a lot would learn from this and know our lives is not all about gang-banging and not having the mental capability and durability to be a success in the West.

yes good read