He's been a boxer, an autoworker, an insurance salesman, a carpet cleaner, and a mailman. But you probably know him as a comedian, actor and host. No matter what he is, the one thing you have to say about businessman Steve Harvey is that he is one of the hardest working people in entertainment today.
His road to being successful can be summed up in the following video "Jump":
The comedian’s latest book, Jump, was inspired by a viral clip of him giving an off-air inspirational speech to the studio audience at “Family Feud.” On the morning talk show, Harvey explained why he gave the impromptu life lesson. “Whenever people see me live, I’m in the laugh business so we spend the whole time laughing,” he noted. “But before they walk away I try to say something meaningful to people.”
Harvey went on to describe his book as “just a series of principals,” adding, “Once you master the principals, you can become very successful and very happy with your life.” The comedian also recalled how he quit his job at the factory after winning amateur night at a comedy club more than 30 years ago. “I had found it. This is what I was born to do,” he said. “When I took that leap of faith it cost me a lot. I stumbled, I became homeless after a while… A half a million things went wrong and then you look up today and a lot of stuff is going right. But it only gets to go right if you jump.”
In an emotional tribute to his mother, Harvey also credits his mom for much of his success. "I hope I've made her proud of the man I've turned out to be."
“How do you do all of this? That’s the biggest question,” said Harvey as he reflected upon his daily life. “The secret is very simple. All you have to do is care about every single minute of the day. And once you do that, you will be stunned at what you can accomplish. I know exactly where I’m supposed to be during the course of a day. I map out the spaces where I can shut it down, relax, meditate, take a moment to myself, lay on my back on a mat in my dressing room and breathe. Once I’m done with that designated period I’m back to the grind because what people do too much of… People do too much chilling. See the harder I work, the harder I can play. It affords me the ability to give my family a lifestyle beyond my dreams, their dreams and that’s the key to it.“
You'd be amazed about how many things Steve has his hand in. Here's a look at all of his businesses:
Radio Show
The Steve Harvey Morning Show airs Monday-Friday, 6-10am EST on 63 radio station in the US and has approximately 7 million weekly listeners.
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Daytime TV
The “Steve Harvey” daytime television talk show has become one of the most successful new first-run syndication launches in the past decade. In the February 2013 and 2014 sweep, “Steve Harvey” was the #1 new first-run show with Women 18-49 nationally. His daytime TV talk show has also won 3 daytime Emmy's.
Miss Universe/Miss USA/Miss Teen USA
In September 2015, WME/IMG purchased the Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants from Donald Trump for an undisclosed amount. Harvey owns a percentage of the company in addition to being pad for hosting duties in a unprecedented multi-year deal. In 2015, when Steve hosted, the show had the highest rating it's seen in six years.
Family Fued
“Family Feud” is achieving its highest ratings in syndication in 22 years since Steve Harvey became the host in Fall of 2010. Since then under Steve Harvey's reign, Family Feud surpassed “Wheel of Fortune” as the most-popular gameshow in syndication. And has become #1 in syndication.
MUST READ: Steve Harvey's Secret To His Weight Loss
Clothing
The Steve Harvey apparel lines include the Steve Harvey Collection for Men, The Young Kings Collection (for boys) and The Steve Harvey Women’s Collection and are available at K&G Fashion Superstore, Burlington Coat Factory, JC Penney and Kohls.com
Latex Gloves
Comedian Steve Harvey and Montgomery business Greg Calhoun have purchased a former latex glove and condom factory in Eufaula.The factory, now called Ameritex, reopened last week after being shuttered for five years. It is the only latex glove facility in the U.S. and already has a commitment from Walmart. "We met with the chairman of Walmart...
... Doug McMillon, me and Steve Harvey, and we strategized on how we could bring jobs back to the U.S.," Calhoun said. The facility is looking to have 300 employees by the end of 2016.
Food
In 2015, Steve created Harvey Foods, and launched his first product for store shelves, Easy Bacon. It is a thick cut, pre-roasted bacon. Steve partnered with Monogram Foods to bring this first product and more to come. Easy Bacon is on track to rake in $50 Million in its first year.
Books & Movies
Harvey’s first book, “Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man” was released in 2009 and held the #1 spot on the New York Times Best Seller list for 23 straight weeks and was listed for 64 weeks total. His second book, “Straight Talk, No Chaser” was released in 2010 and debuted at #1 on the New York Times Best Seller List. The success of his first book spawned the film adaptation “Think Like A Man” that released domestically and internationally in 2012, grossing over $90 million at the box office. It was the #1 movie in America two weeks in a row and unseated the blockbuster movie “The Hunger Games” after a month at #1. Think Like a Man 2, the sequel did even better, earning $96 Million on just a $12 million budget.
Business Coaching
Steve launched "A Like A Success" Seminars - exclusive online courses, high level coaching programs and live events. Practical, implementable processes that help individuals pursue and identify talents, set authentic goals, unleash passions and purpose to start and grow businesses.
In addition to the above, Steve continues to be a spokesperson for a number of brands, runs a mentoring camp for young men and partners with Disney to provide mentorship and inspiration to children of single mothers. But don't look to Steve to say that it's only him that does the work behind the scenes. He'll be quick to tell you that it's those on his team like his business partner Rushion McDonald (radio and tv producer) that assist building him up. Also, his wife Marjorie is a major reason for his success.
“Marrying Marjorie was the single most game changing event in my life," says the 11-time NAACP Image Award winner. "The only woman I’ve ever known that was sweeter to me than her was my Mother. Marjorie is the kindest person and one of the happiest people I’ve ever met. God knew I needed her to be the person he wanted me to be. Marjorie’s attitude, her belief in me and calming spirit would say 'Steve you’ve got to do better than that. You can’t get to where you’re trying to go like that.' I discovered that a woman is really the key to every great man’s success.”
