When Dave Goodall’s acting career started going south when he was in his 20s, it wasn’t long before he began struggling financially. Soon after, the London native found himself living on the streets when he couldn’t afford to pay rent. Thankfully, his fortunes have since changed, but he’s using his money and his successful business for good.
- Goodall started his own company. He’s the CEO of Sunshine Shoeshine, a shoe cleaning company thought to be making more than £250,000 ($340,500) every year. Talk about a turnaround! Goodall is now a powerful CEO and he’s trying to make a change in his community.
- He was helped by a good man and wants to pass that on. In an interview with BBC Stories, Goodall revealed that when he was homeless, there was a man who walked by him all the time and helped him get back on his feet, offering up space in his office lobby to do his shoe cleanings. From there, Goodall was able to build his business, which now boasts multiple locations around London and dozens of employees.
- Sunshine Shoeshine only hires homeless people. You’ll only find homeless or otherwise disadvantaged people on the company’s payroll because Goodall wants to help other people who need a hand getting back on their feet. Hopefully, they’ll be able to better their lives the way Goodall himself was able to.
- Goodall’s employees couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity. As one of his employees, Alan, said: “It has given me a point, a purpose. It has made me feel more confident, it has made me feel more like a person. Having a job and a work history, it has given me a bit of a future which I didn’t really have. Sunshine has given me a work history. They’ve clarified that I am articulate, and with skills and abilities, and that’s what an employer wants to see when they see a C.V.” What an incredible gift – and what a great guy Goodall is!
