Meet ray houston
"Mr. Determined"
Ray Houston is an overcomer. He has navigated both success and pitfalls. Now, the author of There Is Life After Drugs - How Bad Do You Want It? Ray Houston is determined to share his story with others just like him; people with a dream and a hope that's sometimes hard to grasp while battling uncertainty and sometimes regret.
Here's his story....
Here's his story....
Ray grew up in a small two-parent lower-middle class home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with his mother, father, sister, and a dog named Spot. Although his parents raised him well, Ray struggled to hold true to the values he was given. He succumbed to social pressures, began drinking alcohol at age 14, and soonafter he engaged in drug use. He maintained an average GPA throughout his education. However, Ray applied himself and took an apprenticeship with the local 781 Painting Union and Milwaukee Area Technical College, which he completed in 1976. After starting a painting business, Ray walked to his first job with $2.00 in his pocket, carrying his ladder on his back and a sandwich his mother made him. Within a few years, he was a successful business owner and generated his first million dollars.
From there, the unexpected — a loss of self-control, a spiraling drug addiction, he becomes the single parent of a one-year old daughter and later, homeless. Ray’s strength, knowledge, and joy were birthed in turmoil. Ray battled a tough 27 year drug addiction, which put his family and career at risk. After a commitment to faith and determination, Ray regained power. He became an Independent Government Contractor, and as unexpected, a once-drug addict found himself painting federal building projects like the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Homeland Security, and even the office of then Senator Barack Obama. Through overcoming hard obstacles, Ray was able to put his youngest daughter through college and see her become a successful, healthy adult who has completed a masters degree program as well as a number of certificates, and founded a consulting firm specializing in helping nonprofit organizations achieve operational excellence.
Having to speak life into seemingly dead situations, he is a symbol of inspiration and determination. Ray’s mission as a speaker is to inspire audiences to create amazing results in their business and personal lives by harnessing the power of their determination.
"My success has always been determined by how bad I want what I want. I teach that the most powerful “power words” behind all successful people, which make up every important aspect of a successful person's thinking and doing, are determination, commitment, desire, and confidence, what I've coined as 'D.C.D.C.'. Success in my heart, in my mind, my emotions, and my career, is related to my level of D.C.D.C. This is what keeps me in my right lane and my right league, to maintain success and constant growth."
From there, the unexpected — a loss of self-control, a spiraling drug addiction, he becomes the single parent of a one-year old daughter and later, homeless. Ray’s strength, knowledge, and joy were birthed in turmoil. Ray battled a tough 27 year drug addiction, which put his family and career at risk. After a commitment to faith and determination, Ray regained power. He became an Independent Government Contractor, and as unexpected, a once-drug addict found himself painting federal building projects like the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Homeland Security, and even the office of then Senator Barack Obama. Through overcoming hard obstacles, Ray was able to put his youngest daughter through college and see her become a successful, healthy adult who has completed a masters degree program as well as a number of certificates, and founded a consulting firm specializing in helping nonprofit organizations achieve operational excellence.
Having to speak life into seemingly dead situations, he is a symbol of inspiration and determination. Ray’s mission as a speaker is to inspire audiences to create amazing results in their business and personal lives by harnessing the power of their determination.
"My success has always been determined by how bad I want what I want. I teach that the most powerful “power words” behind all successful people, which make up every important aspect of a successful person's thinking and doing, are determination, commitment, desire, and confidence, what I've coined as 'D.C.D.C.'. Success in my heart, in my mind, my emotions, and my career, is related to my level of D.C.D.C. This is what keeps me in my right lane and my right league, to maintain success and constant growth."
