Just about everyone knows about rapper-turned-businessman 50 Cent being shot nine times, surviving that and creating a rap empire that thrived for years. Some even know that he's the executive producer behind the hit cable series "Power" with Omari Hardwick. But few know about his publishing business, DVD's, speaking series, etc.
One of Jackson's first business ventures was a partnership with Glacéau to create an enhanced water drink called Formula 50. In 2007, Coca-Cola purchased Glacéau for $4.1 billion and, according to Forbes, Jackson, who was a minority shareholder, earned $100 million from the deal after taxes.
Before pursuing a career in rap music, 50 cent was a drug dealer at the tender age of 12. He brought up by his mother, Sabrina, who was also a drug dealer.
In 1983, Sabrina died as a result of being drugged and inhaling gas in her house a midst closed windows. After Sabrina’s death, 50 Cent started living with his grandparents. At age eleven, 50 Cent started boxing and then started selling drugs a year later while attending school. During this time Curtis juggled boxing, school and selling drugs. At age 14, Curtis Jackson competed as a boxer (amateur level) in Junior Olympics.
At age 16, he was arrested for narcotics and gun possession which made him confess to his grandparents about his drug selling business. Afterward, Curtis was sent to a boot camp. After his release, he started using the name 50 Cent signifying change. He got the name from a notorious robber in Brooklyn named Kelvin Martin.
Love him or hate him, 50 Cent has truly transformed himself into a successful brand.
Here are 5 ways that he's been able to do it in a no-nonsense kind of way:
You May Also Like
I. Size Up Your Competition (Including Yourself) Even if you're not a competitive person, someone else might be aiming to take what you think is yours. So be frank with yourself about your strengths and weaknesses, because someone else might have already sized you up. If you're a bodybuilder or fitness competitor, the competition is the person you'll be standing next to on stage. If you're in a company, it's those against whom you'll be vying for a promotion—and so on. Know the competition like you know yourself.
II. Destroy Your Comfort Zone So you achieved a goal. Great! Now don't get too comfortable. The real value of your goal isn't the goal itself, but rather the internal strength, discipline, and steely resolve you developed in the struggle to get there. Those tools are just begging for a new challenge—and they'll wither on the vine without one. Whether we're talking about new business ventures, finishing another part of school, or even entirely new workout plans, change does your body good.
III. Know The Language What's important to the people you're trying to get money from? Is it numbers? Is it the arts? Is it conversion rates? Whatever it is, know the terms, definitions and vernacular so that you don't sound ignorant and speaking their language. The proliferation of websites, blogs, and social media has created a flood of fitness advice and information. Some well-written stuff is junk, while some of the less-polished information is useful. The process of building wisdom takes time. But remember that all things being equal, a researched, well-articulated presentation will always make the biggest impact.
IV. A Setback Is A Setup For A Comeback If you've ever suffered an injury, or gotten really out of shape and ridiculed for it, don't try to forget it. That's part of who you are, just as much as your shining triumphs. If you're still struggling—like we all have—you can either wallow in grief, or channel that energy into making the most of the cards you're dealt.
V. Be A No Limit Soldier Even though the "No Limit" tagline was used by another rapper & entrepreneur, it still fits here. "If I set my mind to something, I think I can do it," is a favorite saying of 50. "Swear to God. I am so far away from where I started that I believe I can actually do anything. We can make a million dollars selling peanuts. Me and you. We can get '50 Cent Peanuts' for 25 cents and sell 'em for 50 cents apiece." It all starts in the mind. If you believe it, then you can achieve it. There is no plan B. Not bad for a troublesome young man from New York. Now, got get your power.
