How Reginald Lewis Created a Billion-Dollar Business Empire and Lost It All

Reginald Lewis was a visionary entrepreneur who built a billion-dollar business empire from scratch. He was the first African American to own a major Fortune 500 company, and his success inspired a generation of entrepreneurs. But his empire eventually crumbled, and he lost everything.

Lewis was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1942. He grew up in poverty, but he was a brilliant student and worked hard to overcome his circumstances. He graduated from Harvard Law School in 1968, and then went on to work as a lawyer for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund.

In 1983, Lewis left the NAACP to start his own business. He founded TLC Beatrice, a food and beverage company that would eventually grow into a billion-dollar enterprise. Lewis's success was due in part to his keen business acumen, but it was also due to his commitment to social justice. He believed that businesses could be a force for good in the world, and he used TLC Beatrice to create jobs and opportunities for minorities.

Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun?: How Reginald Lewis Created a Billion-Dollar Business Empire

by Reginald F. Lewis

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2289 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	451 pages

FREE

Lewis's empire reached its peak in the late 1980s and early 1990s. TLC Beatrice was one of the largest food and beverage companies in the United States, and Lewis was one of the most successful businessmen in the country. But his success was short-lived.

In 1993, Lewis was diagnosed with brain cancer. He died two years later, at the age of 52. His death sent shockwaves through the business world, and it left a void in the African American community.

Lewis's legacy is a complex one. He was a brilliant entrepreneur who achieved great success, but he also made some mistakes that ultimately led to the downfall of his empire. His story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of overreaching and the importance of planning for the future.

Here are some of the lessons we can learn from Reginald Lewis's life and career:

• Set big goals. Lewis was not afraid to dream big. He set out to build a billion-dollar business, and he achieved his goal.
• Work hard. Lewis was a tireless worker. He put in long hours and never gave up on his dreams.
• Be persistent. Lewis faced many challenges in his life, but he never gave up. He persevered through adversity and eventually achieved success.
• Give back to the community. Lewis believed that businesses could be a force for good in the world. He used TLC Beatrice to create jobs and opportunities for minorities.
• Plan for the future. Lewis did not plan for his own death, and it ultimately led to the downfall of his empire. It is important to plan for the future, so that your business can continue to thrive even after you are gone.

Reginald Lewis was a visionary entrepreneur who achieved great success. He inspired a generation of entrepreneurs, and his legacy continues to live on. His story is a reminder that anything is possible if you set your mind to it.

Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun?: How Reginald Lewis Created a Billion-Dollar Business Empire

by Reginald F. Lewis

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2289 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	451 pages

FREE