From Firewood Sales to Presidency

In between his mediocre military career and his presidency, Ulysses S. Grant went through a period of setbacks and financial difficulty.

To support his family at one point, he had to sell firewood—hardly a glamorous venture for a West Point graduate. His ex-army colleague was shocked, and said, “Great god, Grant, what are you doing?”

Grant replied, “I’m solving the problem of poverty.”

No shame in doing whatever it takes to get through a difficult patch in life*.

Reference: Grant by Jean Edward Smith