As an impressionable youth, Marcus Lemonis read the description of Entrepreneur to his mother from the dictionary while working on a school project, which inspired him to challenge himself and make his dreams come true. His humble beginnings and journey through life represent the heart and soul of what true entrepreneurism is. Although he was not born in America, he is proud to be living the American Dream through hard work, determination and believing. Those who have had the chance to hear his story through his moving speaking engagements would say that he is humble, down to earth and 100 percent brutally honest.
CNBC’s “The Profit” had the honor of being nominated for the 2018 Critic’s Choice Award for Best Structured Reality Series. On the show, Marcus lends his expertise to struggling businesses in various industries across the country while using his famous People-Process-Product principle. Through his 3P mantra, he analyzes every business by whether they have the right people, an excellent and relevant product, and the best possible process for creating, delivering, and selling that product. Known as the “business turnaround king,” he will be the first to say that he uses a tough love approach to help people succeed.
Marcus was born in war-torn Beirut, Lebanon in 1973 and, at nine months old, was adopted by a Lebanese and Greek couple living in Miami, FL. As a young child, he was exposed to positive and prosperous business values at his family-owned business, Anthony Abraham Chevrolet. His entrepreneurial spirit bloomed at age 12 while attending Epiphany Catholic School, when he started a lawn mowing service, employed his friends and generated enough money to open a candy business. He then graduated from Christopher Columbus High School in Miami and moved to Milwaukee, WI to attend Marquette University, where he studied Political Science, Criminology and Economics.
It was a conversation with family friend and former Chrysler CEO, Lee Iacocca, who advised him to get into the camping and RV business, which put him on the path to become CEO of Camping World, America’s #1 source for RVs, camping accessories, RV maintenance and repair.
Lemonis was recognized for having “more impact on the industry than any single individual or company in recent memory as an agent of change and retail consolidation,” when RV Business Magazine named him their 2007 Newsmaker of the Year. In addition, Crain’s Chicago Business featured him in their 2005 edition of “40 under 40,” and in 2008, Ernst & Young named him Entrepreneur of the Year.
Prior to “The Profit”, he appeared on NBC’s “Celebrity Apprentice” in 2011 and 2012, and was also featured on ABC’s television show, “Secret Millionaire” in 2012.