During the 1980s, Drew Goodall collaborated with actors such as Brad Pitt and Hugh Grant on several projects. He was working toward his goal of becoming an actor while living in London. However, after a series of poor reviews for his stage roles, he lost his self-confidence. His acting career soon came to an end.
Goodall said, “I didn’t want to face my parents. When I left home I was a big hope. I couldn’t face the ignominy of having to go back with my tail between my legs.”
He’d spent all of his money and had no alternatives left. He awoke one day to find himself homeless and living on the streets of London. His primary living quarters were a cardboard box. He made due with whatever cash he could get from others.
In order to stay afloat, Goodall tried to take on as many tasks as possible. He worked as a shoe-shine man for a livelihood. He was coming to the conclusion that he was a disappointment at this time in his life.
Although he was never beaten twice for his hard work, despite this, he never asked anyone for help. His first purchase were a brush and polish tin so that he could get to work polishing shoes in London’s busy financial district. However, since he lacked an official permit, his business was always at risk of being shut down by the authorities.
It had only been six months since he launched his business, and a regular client had already presented him with an unbelievable opportunity. He offered Goodall the chance to set up shop in the lobby of this customer’s office, which would give him a more dependable source of income.
Subsequently, he was no longer homeless!
The company gradually expanded. Once he started moving to other establishments and owning his own, his shoeshine business took off.
He referred to it as “Sunshine Shoeshine.”
He had the money to hire a couple of employees, but he didn’t —and still doesn’t—ultimately go for someone just because they’re employable. He gives second chances; people who are homeless or have disabilities often get hired by him.
He stated, “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.”
Goodall’s career was quickly developing by the time he returned to London, and he began earning roughly $330,000 per year. As a result of this, he was able to start and grow his firm in various locations throughout London. He said, “It came organically. I didn’t set up to, in my own way, try to change the world.”
Drew Goodall has assisted approximately 40 individuals since 2012 in their efforts to alter their lives. He also gives back to charity. 5% of Sunshine Shoeshine’s earnings are donated by Drew Goodall. He stated, “We have given in excess of 20,000 pounds ($26,000).”
He was always willing to help those less fortunate than himself and would often give them his entire salary.
Leaving homelessness behind requires a lot of strength and endurance. It’s not easy, but it is possible.
