Nothing to Lose

A Story of Poverty, Resilience, and Gratitude

J.L. Holloway’s early years were marked by hardships that shaped the remainder of his life. With few resources to lift him out of poverty, he showed — as early as age four — a remarkable willingness to work, an uncanny ability to find an opportunity, and a charm that moved people to take a chance on him. Those traits would lead Holloway to extraordinary success. But the specter of poverty, the memories of his alcoholic father, and the mortification he felt about his family’s place in our culture were never far from his thoughts. Nothing to Lose tells the story of the businesses Holloway built (and sometimes lost); the cast of characters he encountered along the way (including well-known politicians, public figures, life-long friends, and eccentric acquaintances); the public highs and the embarrassing lows; and the marriage that was his saving grace. Holloway’s vulnerability, candor, and willingness to let the reader experience his most difficult moments adds a rare depth — and meaning — to this remarkable story.