My first job, 9 years old, part-time, was selling Christmas cards door-to-door. Ten years old, my brother and I had paper routes. We delivered a morning paper called the 'L.A. Examiner.' Get up at 4 o'clock, fold your papers, deliver them and get ready for school.

The quote "My first job, 9 years old, part-time, was selling Christmas cards door-to-door. Ten years old, my brother and I had paper routes. We delivered a morning paper called the 'L.A. Examiner.' Get up at 4 o'clock, fold your papers, deliver them and get ready for school." by John Paul DeJoria highlights the entrepreneurial spirit and work ethic he developed from a young age. DeJoria reflects on his early jobs, starting at the age of 9 with selling Christmas cards door-to-door, an experience that taught him the value of hard work and initiative. These early responsibilities set the foundation for his later success in business.

DeJoria's mention of working with his brother delivering newspapers emphasizes the importance of teamwork and discipline in his formative years. At just 10 years old, he was already involved in a paper route, which required him to wake up at 4 o'clock in the morning, fold newspapers, and deliver them before school. This routine required both consistency and responsibility, skills that would serve him well as he later built his successful career in the business world.

The mention of the "L.A. Examiner" gives a specific historical context, showing the type of work DeJoria was involved in. The newspaper delivery job was a routine task that not only taught him about time management but also about the value of service, as he was providing a product to customers in his community. The dedication required to manage these early responsibilities while balancing school life demonstrated his commitment to hard work from an early age.

Ultimately, DeJoria’s quote reflects how early jobs can shape a person's character, teaching key values like hard work, responsibility, and entrepreneurship. His experience selling Christmas cards and delivering newspapers played a significant role in cultivating his grit and resilience, qualities that would be essential as he later became a successful businessman and philanthropist.