From Poverty to the Boardroom: Michael Howard’s Relentless Drive

Written By Elliott King

When Michael Howard sat down with Aleksandra for the Beyond the Boardroom podcast, his story quickly became one of the most compelling journeys shared on the series. From being briefly homeless at 17 to scaling Maris Interiors into a 250-employee company, his insights go beyond business—they reveal what truly fuels success.

Resilience Forged in Hardship
Growing up in a broken home with little money, Michael’s drive was shaped by necessity: “My motivation has always been away from pain — the pain of being broke or stuck in awful circumstances.”

From Employee to CEO
At 19, Michael joined Maris Interiors with no qualifications. Over the decades, he seized every opportunity, learned relentlessly, and eventually bought the company. His leadership transformed it into a profitable and respected market leader.

The Brutal Truth About Business
Michael is direct about why so many startups fail: lack of realistic planning. “Businesses need simple maths. If your best case can’t make money, it’s not a business.”

Leadership and Culture
For Michael, success isn’t just profit: “Skill is trainable. Character isn’t. I’d sacrifice skill for people with work ethic and decency every time.”

Managing Stress Without Shortcuts
Unlike many entrepreneurs, Michael doesn’t turn to quick fixes: “I haven’t had a drink in 18 years. Resilience comes from sitting with stress and working through it.”

Quotes:

  • “Away from pain is a much greater motivator than chasing luxury.”

  • “Skill is trainable. Character isn’t.”

  • “Businesses fail because they don’t do the basic maths.”

  • “Resilience comes from facing stress, not avoiding it.”

  • “The goal isn’t empire — the goal is not to be broke.”

Key Takeaways:

  • Resilience is built by confronting hardship head-on.

  • Every business needs simple, measurable numbers behind it.

  • Leadership is about culture, honesty, and people — not shortcuts.

  • Stress is inevitable; how you handle it defines your success.

  • Success should be defined by values, not vanity.

Resources and Mentions:

📺 Embedded Episode: Watch on YouTube

Originally published at aleksandraking.com.

Elliott King