About the Book

For all who dare to go off the beaten track, this is the inspirational, power-packed playbook for transforming your life and your world—from a young, Black social entrepreneur whose dorm-room tech startup, Scholly, has helped millions pay for college and access unprecedented opportunity. 

Christopher Gray grew up in deep poverty in Birmingham, Alabama. An academic star, he had every qualification for attending a top college—except for the financial means. Desperate, Gray headed off the beaten path, applying for every scholarship he could find. His hustle resulted in awards of 1.3 million dollars and inspired him to create a startup called Scholly, an app that matches college applicants with millions of dollars in scholarships that often go unclaimed.

As a senior at Drexel University, Gray appeared on Shark Tank and, in the most heated fight in the show’s history, was challenged on whether his app was a charity or a profitable business.  Both, he insisted, proposing a new paradigm for social entrepreneurship and netting deals from Lori Greiner and Daymond John.  

At the time Scholly had 90,000 users. Today the app has 4 million subscribers who have won scholarships totaling more than $100 million. Meanwhile, Gray has emerged as a tech startup superhero now tackling the crisis of student debt with innovative, unrivaled strategies.

Gray’s story is proof that when you create opportunities for others, you enrich the marketplace for yourself too. He shows us, we can carve out new paths to better days and leave trails for others. 

Critical Praise

“Go Where There Is No Path is an unforgettable read. It has everything: an inspiring, against-all-odds story of growing up as the son of a single teenage mom, an entrepreneurial tale of a young black gay man whose dorm room start-up has become a marketplace legend, and a blueprint for success—for anyone willing to take roads never traveled.”  — Chris Gardner, author of the #1 New York Times Bestsellers The Pursuit of Happyness, Start Where You Are, and Permission to Dream 

"When Chris began his pitch on Shark Tank, I was immediately captivated. As an investor, I love profitable ideas that can make a difference in people’s lives. So when I heard the idea of an app to help students find money for higher education, that’s all I needed to hear before making an offer. In Go Where There Is No Path, he provides a master class in paving your own way to success. Chris is one of a kind and so too is his story of turning a million-dollar idea into a reality.” — Lori Greiner, inventor, entrepreneur, TV personality and bestselling author 

“When I heard how [Chris] had learned to apply the lessons of hustle, grit, scholarship and faith that he saw all around him, I knew that I had to be a part of the Scholly ride. At every turn, Chris has expanded his vision. He merges lessons from the street with all he’s learned as a Millennial tech entrepreneur, offering guidance for all who aspire to greatness. Chris has made his sharks proud.” — Daymond John, CEO of FUBU, TV personality and bestselling author 

"Gray represents a new breed of entrepreneur—one who at 22 changed the financial landscape for students from every background and who is now empowering the next generation of scholars and entrepreneurs. His book reveals how he pursued a vision that became Scholly—and is radically changing the status quo—and how you too can draw from your own story to stand out from all the rest.” — Jesse Williams, activist, former public school teacher, actor, director, producer, and leading brand ambassador for Scholly 

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Product Details

• ISBN: 9780062992109
• ISBN 10: 0062992104
• Imprint: William Morrow Paperbacks
• On Sale: 08/23/2022
• Trimsize: 5.500 in (w) x 8.250 in (h) x 0.650 in (d)
• Pages: 288
• List Price: $17.99
• BISAC1 : BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Business
• BISAC2 : BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Entrepreneurship
• BISAC3 : BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Motivational
• BISAC4 : BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Personal Finance / Budgeting
• BISAC5 : BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Personal Finance / Money Management
• BISAC6 : BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Leadership
• BISAC7 : BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Personal Success