Chris Kilcullen
Evergreen, Colo.
Before the recession hit, I sold franchises for GMAC Real Estate. I was doing very well making about $250,000 a year, and I was extremely blessed.
As the real estate business came to a screeching halt, I decided to get back into the hotel business. (Prior to GMAC, I had worked as a director of franchise development for Wyndham Hotels).
Needless to say, timing was horrible as the financial meltdown deteriorated the hotel brokerage business. Over the next two and a half years, I lived off my savings and lost my home.
I have taken a variety of jobs, even at a catering company, and like others, I have sent hundreds of unanswered resumes. Now I work at a great Internet company, but for about a fifth of my former salary.
Out of frustration for this economy and passion for this country, I am creating my own website,
AmericasGotProduct.com, that rates products based on their economic footprint. I'm hoping it will help consumers make purchasing decisions that create American jobs.
NEXT: Out of the courtroom, into the classroom
