Bill Rancic |
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Bill Rancic is thirty-three years old and lives in Lincoln Park, Illinois. He grew up in the modest suburbs of Chicago. There he attended Carl Sandburg High School and went on to receive his Bachelor of Arts degree from Loyola University graduating cum-laude in 1992. Bill learned the art of negotiation early on, as he had to compete for bathroom time with his three older sisters.
An estimated 27.6 million viewers tuned in to watch Trump say, "You're hired!" to Bill Rancic on the first season of NBC's The Apprentice. He is currently working for Donald Trump, overseeing the construction of the new Trump Tower in Chicago, the project he earned from winning The Apprentice.
A hard worker all his life, Bill used the profits he earned as a teenager from his own boat wash-and-wax business to help pay for his college tuition. In 1998, he founded cigarsaroundtheworld.com in a modest 400 square foot studio apartment, growing it into the multi-million dollar national corporation that it is today.
Bill is a firm believer that success can be achieved through hard work—even against the worst odds. He helps to pass on this message to the residents of the Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, where he volunteers as a tutor for underprivileged children.
Watch for Bill in a starring role on the new season of The Apprentice on NBC!
Q&A with Bill Rancic
Why did you decide to write a children’s book?
I decided to write a children's book because the Apprentice had such a following by children. Kids were coming up to me all the time and asking me questions. I was a young entrepreneur and wanted to share some of my childhood experiences with kids and hopefully teach them a few things I learned along the way.
What was the first business you started?
I ran a make-shift restaurant out of my grandma's kitchen. When I was about 9 my parents and sisters went on vacation and I was left with my grandma. By the second day I became bored. She taught me how to make pancakes and then invited the neighbor ladies over to show off my skills. When I was cleaning up after they left, I noticed five dollar bills under their plates. Every weekend after that I was asking to go to my grandma's house.
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was a kid, I wanted to go into a different profession every week. I do remember really wanting to become a police officer. My dad's cousin Elaine was a Chicago cop and I loved hearing stories about her job. She even let me go on a ride-a-long with her in her police car.
What did you save your money to buy?
I like anything with a motor so I saved up all of my money to buy a motor scooter.
After school let out for the day, how did you spend your afternoons?
After school I mostly hung out with the neighbor kids. There were so many kids on our block. We lived on a cul-de-sac and depending on what season it was, those were the games we played. We went from baseball to football, kickball, and basketball. It was so much fun and I have a lot of great memories.
Who did you look up to when you were growing up?
My dad and I used to watch football together and I always admired Walter Payton. I still have a Payton 34 sweatshirt. He played on the Chicago Bears and I wanted to be just like him. For my 30th birthday my friend gave me a football autographed by Walter Payton and I keep it in my office.
Name one thing about yourself that would surprise people.
I baby-sit for my sister's kids (when they can't find anybody else) and yes, that includes changing diapers!!
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