The H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship’s Distinguished Lecture Series welcomed Carl DeSantis on Sept. 25.
The sign, “Welcome Home Carl!” was hung outside the business school’s building, named after DeSantis.
After almost 100 people confirmed they would attend, the event had to be relocated to the Alfred and Rose Miniaci Performing Arts Center to accommodate the large audience. DeSantis, former chairman of the Board of Rexall Sundown, Inc., delivered his lecture, “Life After Sundown.”
In his lecture, DeSantis talked about his first breakthrough and the success that followed. DeSantis created Sundown, a sun tan lotion. The product sold well on beaches, and DeSantis recognized the rising interest in nutrition and health products. After Sundown’s success, DeSantis started Rexall Sundown, Inc., which was the leading developer, manufacturer, and marketer of vitamins, nutritional supplements, and other consumer health products.
President Hanbury sat down with DeSantis for a Q&A session after his lecture. DeSantis offered advice to college students entering the workforce. He said that there is a budding genius in everyone and when companies hire employees, they look to discover a person’s real promise. He also articulated that opportunities are not lying around; you will have to knock on a few doors.
Originally from Boston, DeSantis had a modest upbringing, selling newspapers to help his family. At just 19 years old, he became one of Walgreens’ youngest top-store managers. A few years later, Rexall Sundown, Inc. was created.
“You can do anything if you really want to do it, and I certainly wanted to do it,” DeSantis said.
He then discussed his foundation, the Angus Gillis Foundation. It was named after his grandfather, a lifetime mentor for DeSantis. The foundation made houses and donated computers to an African community. The organization also bought sewing machines and employed more than 700 employees to make dolls in Africa.
With such charitable efforts, DeSantis said, “It’s best to always help somebody along the way.”
Christine Martinez, executive assistant to assistant Dean Joe Pineda, said, “He took risks, never settled, found inspiration anywhere and took it all to another level.”
A businessman, researcher, writer, and philanthropist, DeSantis continues to donate millions to schools all around Fla. and the U.S.
Frank Voehl, director of the office of process improvement, said, “Carl DeSantis’ advice to college students who wish to succeed is to view their college career with the same focus and intensity that they would give to a Chess game: you need to have the attitude of a ‘budding genius’, an attitude consisting of culture, dignity, and respect.”
At the end of his lecture, DeSantis said, “Time is the most precious and fleeting gift. Use it wisely. Never give up.”
As the audience exited the theater, they were given complimentary copies of DeSantis’ Vitamin Enriched.
