A Few Years Ago, He Lived In A Cardboard Box - Now He's A CEO Who Hires The Homeless
Drew Goodall has a great life making over $250k per year of profit from his Sunshine Shoeshine company. Not that long ago, his life was very different – he was living on the streets, and hope was hard to come by.
Profit with a purpose
Now, he’s living well and paying it forward: His company makes a point of hiring the homeless as well as those with special needs.
“There is no magic button for homelessness. It’s something that will always be there ... (but) just giving someone some time, talking to them, that goes a long way to finding a solution to homelessness.”
-Drew Goodall
Goodall’s life has been one of ups and downs. In his twenties, he acted in some major movies, such as Snatch and About a Boy. The work eventually stopped coming in, and Goodall ran out of money. He could have moved in with his parents – but then he would have felt like he had failed.
So, when he was evicted from his own home, he ended up living on the streets of London.
“I didn’t want to face my parents. When I left home I was the big hope. I couldn’t face the ignominy of having to go back with my tail between my legs,”
-Drew Goodall
Going steady
Stuck in a cycle of begging for food and sleeping in a cardboard box, Goodall did everything he could to earn an honest living – starting with polishing and shining people’s shoes.
This went on for a few months before Drew had a big break – one of his regular customers offered to let him set up a small shop inside the lobby of his office. This helped Drew to make a more steady income – and got him off the streets.
As business continued to improve, he expanded to create Sunshine Shoeshine, which had locations in offices across London and employed dozens, almost all of whom had been homeless or have special needs.
Paying it forward
Drew donates much of his personal salary to charity because he will always remember where he came from. He also recognizes that help from others got him to where he is today.
Success may be right around the corner, and sometimes it's just a matter of the right people crossing paths at the right time -- how wonderful this all turned out for Drew -- and what an amazing job he's doing to pay it forward now.
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Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.