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George Shinn's life is a true rags-to-riches story. Born in North Carolina in the 1940s, the former owner of the Charlotte Hornets was raised by a single mom and built his current fortune through hard work and faith.
'I had an adorable mom who loved me to death,” says Shinn. 'We were poor, we got welfare checks and free lunches but mom was always there to hold me and tell me I could do anything I wanted to.”
Despite finishing last in his high school class, Shinn was determined to pursue a brighter future. He started working in a cotton mill but after struggling with back troubles, he enrolled in business schooldecision that would forever impact him. To help pay for school, he worked as a janitor; from there, he stumbled into a recruiting position and eventually ended up owning the entire chain of business schools, which he later sold for millions. Later, Shinn went on to start The George Shinn Foundation, which is dedicated to helping people in need.
Along with his wife, Denise (who is the president of the foundation), Shinn enjoys using his newly renovated Franklin property as a venue for raising money for charity. The 53-acre property is home to a main house, a caretaker's house, a horse barn, and another building designated as an event space. But, perhaps the most impressive building is his 10,000-square-foot car barn, which resembles a vintage Texaco stationhis dad owned a Gulf Service Station before he passed away when Shinn was eight years oldand houses 50 of the 100 classic cars in his collection. Shinn's hope is that the cars, in addition to bringing famous performers out, will help raise money for the various organizations the couple supports.
'I loved cars when I was young, but couldn't afford them,” says Shinn. 'I did have a '57 Chevy and a '57 Corvette but I ended up selling them to stay in school. Then, I got blessed and starting making money and buying them.”
Last fall, the couple held their first fundraiser since the compound's completion, raising a quarter of a million dollars for the Tennessee Baptist Children's Home. With even more planned in this year, they look forward to sharing their collection and home with as many people as possible.