
You Know The Story.
You Know The Story.
Meet The Man
Chris Gardner is an international bestselling author, entrepreneur, and one of the world’s most requested voices on resilience, leadership, and performance. These aren’t theories—this is lived experience, translated into practical conviction.
You Know The Story.
Meet The Man
Chris Gardner is an international bestselling author, entrepreneur, and one of the world’s most requested voices on resilience, leadership, and performance. These aren’t theories—this is lived experience, translated into practical conviction.
You Know The Story.
Meet The Man
Chris Gardner is an international bestselling author, entrepreneur, and one of the world’s most requested voices on resilience, leadership, and performance. These aren’t theories—this is lived experience, translated into practical conviction.
Play reel
PURSUIT
Play reel
PURSUIT
Play reel
PURSUIT


.
CULTURAL IMPACT
Chris Gardner’s influence extends far beyond the page and the stage. His life, values, and decisions have shaped conversations in film, education, leadership, and public life—reaching audiences globally.
The Pursuit of Happyness
THE FILM
Adapted from Chris Gardner’s life, The Pursuit of Happyness became a global cultural touchstone. The film introduced hundreds of millions to a story rooted in responsibility, perseverance, and choice—earning critical acclaim and Academy Award–level recognition. More than entertainment, it remains a reference point for resilience, leadership, and what it means to endure with purpose.
We are excited to announce a partnership with the AFL-CIO
PERMISSION 2 DREAM
The Chris Gardner Foundation is committed to ensuring the vision: that everyone has Permission to Dream. Through our Back-2-School program, Chris speaks to our country’s next generation of leaders about how to set and obtain life goals. Chris shares personal life and financial lessons via personal speaking engagements and ongoing virtual support.
VIEW FOUNDATION
About —
About —
About —
About —
About —
About —
About —
About —
About —
About —
“Success is not about never falling — it’s about standing up with responsibility, clarity, and conviction.”
“Success is not about never falling — it’s about standing up with responsibility, clarity, and conviction.”
“Success is not about never falling — it’s about standing up with responsibility, clarity, and conviction.”
— Chris Gardner
— Chris Gardner
— Chris Gardner
Chris Gardner’s journey spans homelessness, entrepreneurship, global influence, and public service. His story is widely known, but his work extends far beyond a single chapter.
Chris Gardner’s journey spans homelessness, entrepreneurship, global influence, and public service. His story is widely known, but his work extends far beyond a single chapter.
Chris Gardner’s journey spans homelessness, entrepreneurship, global influence, and public service. His story is widely known, but his work extends far beyond a single chapter.
At its core, his message is about accountability, preparation, and the discipline required to move forward when circumstances offer no guarantees.
At its core, his message is about accountability, preparation, and the discipline required to move forward when circumstances offer no guarantees.
At its core, his message is about accountability, preparation, and the discipline required to move forward when circumstances offer no guarantees.
Not just another SUCCESS STORY
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/03
Three reasons his story still matters.These principles guide everything we do.
Not just another SUCCESS STORY
/01
/02
/03
Three reasons his story still matters.These principles guide everything we do.
Recognition
Recognition
Recognition
Recognition
Recognition
Recognition
Recognition
Recognition
Recognition
Recognition
Some numbers I'm proud of — A few facts that matter — not for hype, but for credibility.
Some numbers I'm proud of — A few facts that matter — not for hype, but for credibility.
Some numbers I'm proud of — A few facts that matter — not for hype, but for credibility.
1M+
1M+
1M+
1M+
1M+
1M+
Views Across Platforms
Views Across Platforms
Views Across Platforms
Instagram · Facebook · LinkedIn · YouTube
Instagram · Facebook · LinkedIn · YouTube
Instagram · Facebook · LinkedIn · YouTube
2+
2+
2+
2+
2+
2+
Countries Reached Worldwide
Countries Reached Worldwide
Countries Reached Worldwide
RECOGNIZED FOR EXCELLENCE
RECOGNIZED FOR EXCELLENCE
RECOGNIZED FOR EXCELLENCE
100's
100's
100's
100's
100's
100's
Stages, Institutions & Organizations
Stages, Institutions & Organizations
Stages, Institutions & Organizations
RECOGNIZED FOR LEADERSHIP
RECOGNIZED FOR LEADERSHIP
RECOGNIZED FOR LEADERSHIP



NOT
JUST
ANOTHER
SPEAKER
NOT JUST
ANOTHER SPEAKER
Formats built for leadership teams, conferences, and organizations that want substance and not slogans.
Formats built for leadership teams, conferences, and organizations that want substance and not slogans.
Formats built for leadership teams, conferences, and organizations that want substance and not slogans.
Keynotes
Keynotes
Keynotes
High-impact talks grounded in lived experience—designed to shift mindset, elevate standards, and move people into action.
High-impact talks grounded in lived experience—designed to shift mindset, elevate standards, and move people into action.
High-impact talks grounded in lived experience—designed to shift mindset, elevate standards, and move people into action.
Fireside Chats
Fireside Chats
Fireside Chats
A guided conversation format that goes deeper—real stories, real lessons, and direct engagement with your audience.
A guided conversation format that goes deeper—real stories, real lessons, and direct engagement with your audience.
A guided conversation format that goes deeper—real stories, real lessons, and direct engagement with your audience.
Executive Sessions
Executive Sessions
Executive Sessions
Smaller, executive-level sessions for leaders and teams who need clarity, conviction, and performance under pressure.
Smaller, executive-level sessions for leaders and teams who need clarity, conviction, and performance under pressure.
Smaller, executive-level sessions for leaders and teams who need clarity, conviction, and performance under pressure.

Engagements
Engagements
Engagements
Engagements
Engagements
Engagements
Engagements
Engagements
Engagements
Engagements
Choose the format that fits your room, your audience, and your outcome.
Choose the format that fits your room, your audience, and your outcome.
Choose the format that fits your room, your audience, and your outcome.
Not sure where to start? Let’s figure it out together.
Not sure where to start? Let’s figure it out together.
Not sure where to start? Let’s figure it out together.
Motivational
KEYNOTE
A signature talk built for conferences and large audiences.
Motivational
KEYNOTE
A signature talk built for conferences and large audiences.
Motivational
KEYNOTE
A signature talk built for conferences and large audiences.
Customized to your theme
Audience-ready takeaways
Optional Q&A
Customized to your theme
Audience-ready takeaways
Optional Q&A
Customized to your theme
Audience-ready takeaways
Optional Q&A
Guided
INTERVIEWS
A guided conversation that
brings depth and clarity.
Guided
INTERVIEWS
A guided conversation that
brings depth and clarity.
Guided
INTERVIEWS
A guided conversation that
brings depth and clarity.
Moderated format
Audience Q&A friendly
Perfect for leadership events
Moderated format
Audience Q&A friendly
Perfect for leadership events
Moderated format
Audience Q&A friendly
Perfect for leadership events
Executive
SESSIONS
Private experience for leaders who carry the weight.
Executive
SESSIONS
Private experience for leaders who carry the weight.
Executive
SESSIONS
Private experience for leaders who carry the weight.
Smaller room, higher impact
Leadership standards & decisions
Confidential, direct, useful
Smaller room, higher impact
Leadership standards & decisions
Confidential, direct, useful
Smaller room, higher impact
Leadership standards & decisions
Confidential, direct, useful
BOOKS —
BOOKS —
BOOKS —
BOOKS —
BOOKS —
BOOKS —
BOOKS —
BOOKS —
BOOKS —
BOOKS —
2021
Permission to Dream
On a winter’s day, Chris Gardner set off with his nine-year-old granddaughter Brooke to find the harmonica of her dreams. The search sends them North “beyond the wall” into a foreboding Chicago neighborhood and, soon, on a harrowing adventure that will change both of their lives—and ours.
BUY NOW AT AMAZON
2006
The Pursuit of Happyness: An NAACP Image Award Winner
At the age of twenty, Milwaukee native Chris Gardner, just out of the Navy, arrived in San Francisco to pursue a promising career in medicine. Considered a prodigy in scientific research, he surprised everyone and himself by setting his sights on the competitive world of high finance. Yet no sooner had he landed an entry-level position at a prestigious firm than Gardner found himself caught in a web of incredibly challenging circumstances that left him as part of the city's working homeless and with a toddler son.
2010
Start Where You Are
Ever since the story of his transformation from homeless, single and struggling father to millionaire became known the world over, Chris Gardner --whose life story both inspired the movie The Pursuit of Happyness and became a #1 New York Times bestseller by the same name--has been inundated with two questions: “How Did You Do It” and “How Can I Do it Too?” Gardner's power-packed, transformational reply is the basis of this long-anticipated book.

Speaking packages, updates, insights, and upcoming appearances— straight from the source.
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Speaking packages, updates, insights, and upcoming appearances— straight from the source.
newsletter
Join my

Speaking packages, updates, insights, and upcoming appearances— straight from the source.
newsletter
Join my
Words from organizations and leaders who experienced the impact firsthand.
Reflections from audiences, executives, and teams who invited Chris Gardner into the room and left with clarity, perspective, and renewed responsibility.
Worked with Chris? Leave a review — we’d love to hear from you.


“Thank YOU for making it awesome...you are spectacular. You made our theme come to life, thanks for your inspiration"
— Chris Fox, Vice President of Sales at Amgen

“Chris is a truly gifted speaker, teacher and life visionary. I have heard Chris speak many times and each opportunity has left me mesmerized by the power of his observations, his wisdom, and his humanity.”
— Mark Benson, Head of Digital, Nova Tech

“The Firma team truly felt like part of our company. They pushed our brand to a new level while making the process smooth and collaborative.”
— Sophie Adler, Founder, Bloom & Wild
Words from organizations and leaders who experienced the impact firsthand.
Reflections from audiences, executives, and teams who invited Chris Gardner into the room and left with clarity, perspective, and renewed responsibility.
Worked with Chris? Leave a review — we’d love to hear from you.


“Thank YOU for making it awesome...you are spectacular. You made our theme come to life, thanks for your inspiration"
— Chris Fox, Vice President of Sales at Amgen

“Chris is a truly gifted speaker, teacher and life visionary. I have heard Chris speak many times and each opportunity has left me mesmerized by the power of his observations, his wisdom, and his humanity.”
— Mark Benson, Head of Digital, Nova Tech

“The Firma team truly felt like part of our company. They pushed our brand to a new level while making the process smooth and collaborative.”
— Sophie Adler, Founder, Bloom & Wild
Words from organizations and leaders who experienced the impact firsthand.
Reflections from audiences, executives, and teams who invited Chris Gardner into the room and left with clarity, perspective, and renewed responsibility.
Worked with Chris? Leave a review — we’d love to hear from you.


“Thank YOU for making it awesome...you are spectacular. You made our theme come to life, thanks for your inspiration"
— Chris Fox, Vice President of Sales at Amgen

“Chris is a truly gifted speaker, teacher and life visionary. I have heard Chris speak many times and each opportunity has left me mesmerized by the power of his observations, his wisdom, and his humanity.”
— Mark Benson, Head of Digital, Nova Tech

“The Firma team truly felt like part of our company. They pushed our brand to a new level while making the process smooth and collaborative.”
— Sophie Adler, Founder, Bloom & Wild
Awards and
Recognitions (12)
Recognition is never the goal—but it becomes the result when impact is real. Chris Gardner’s work has been honored across culture, leadership, and service—because his message meets people where real life lives.
Awards and
Recognitions (12)
Recognition is never the goal—but it becomes the result when impact is real. Chris Gardner’s work has been honored across culture, leadership, and service—because his message meets people where real life lives.
Awards and
Recognitions (12)
Recognition is never the goal—but it becomes the result when impact is real. Chris Gardner’s work has been honored across culture, leadership, and service—because his message meets people where real life lives.
FAQ
Have questions? Everything bookers ask before they say yes. If you don’t see your question here, send an inquiry.
/ 01
What formats can Chris deliver?
We work with businesses of all sizes — from startups to established brands. Projects range from full brand identity and website builds to campaign design and creative direction.
/ 01
What formats can Chris deliver?
We work with businesses of all sizes — from startups to established brands. Projects range from full brand identity and website builds to campaign design and creative direction.
/ 02
How is the talk customized to our audience?
It begins with a short intro call to understand your needs and goals. If we’re a good fit, we’ll send over a proposal and timeline.
/ 02
How is the talk customized to our audience?
/ 03
What does a typical booking timeline look like?
Yes — we take on both one-off projects and longer-term collaborations. We’ll tailor the scope to what makes the most sense for you.
/ 03
What does a typical booking timeline look like?
/ 04
What are the travel + AV requirements?
It depends on the scope. A small brand update might take a couple of weeks, while a full identity and website can take 6–10 weeks or more. We’ll give a clear timeline upfront.
/ 04
What are the travel + AV requirements?
/ 05
Can Chris do private leadership sessions as well?
No problem — many clients come to us at that stage. We’ll help clarify your goals and recommend the best approach.
/ 05
Can Chris do private leadership sessions as well?
FAQ
Have questions? Everything bookers ask before they say yes. If you don’t see your question here, send an inquiry.
/ 01
What formats can Chris deliver?
We work with businesses of all sizes — from startups to established brands. Projects range from full brand identity and website builds to campaign design and creative direction.
/ 01
What formats can Chris deliver?
We work with businesses of all sizes — from startups to established brands. Projects range from full brand identity and website builds to campaign design and creative direction.
/ 02
How is the talk customized to our audience?
It begins with a short intro call to understand your needs and goals. If we’re a good fit, we’ll send over a proposal and timeline.
/ 02
How is the talk customized to our audience?
/ 03
What does a typical booking timeline look like?
Yes — we take on both one-off projects and longer-term collaborations. We’ll tailor the scope to what makes the most sense for you.
/ 03
What does a typical booking timeline look like?
/ 04
What are the travel + AV requirements?
It depends on the scope. A small brand update might take a couple of weeks, while a full identity and website can take 6–10 weeks or more. We’ll give a clear timeline upfront.
/ 04
What are the travel + AV requirements?
/ 05
Can Chris do private leadership sessions as well?
No problem — many clients come to us at that stage. We’ll help clarify your goals and recommend the best approach.
/ 05
Can Chris do private leadership sessions as well?
FAQ
Have questions? Everything bookers ask before they say yes. If you don’t see your question here, send an inquiry.
/ 01
What formats can Chris deliver?
We work with businesses of all sizes — from startups to established brands. Projects range from full brand identity and website builds to campaign design and creative direction.
/ 01
What formats can Chris deliver?
We work with businesses of all sizes — from startups to established brands. Projects range from full brand identity and website builds to campaign design and creative direction.
/ 02
How is the talk customized to our audience?
It begins with a short intro call to understand your needs and goals. If we’re a good fit, we’ll send over a proposal and timeline.
/ 02
How is the talk customized to our audience?
/ 03
What does a typical booking timeline look like?
Yes — we take on both one-off projects and longer-term collaborations. We’ll tailor the scope to what makes the most sense for you.
/ 03
What does a typical booking timeline look like?
/ 04
What are the travel + AV requirements?
It depends on the scope. A small brand update might take a couple of weeks, while a full identity and website can take 6–10 weeks or more. We’ll give a clear timeline upfront.
/ 04
What are the travel + AV requirements?
/ 05
Can Chris do private leadership sessions as well?
No problem — many clients come to us at that stage. We’ll help clarify your goals and recommend the best approach.
/ 05
Can Chris do private leadership sessions as well?



