Financial journalist BG Willis recently had the opportunity to interview Seattle’s most reclusive and enigmatic businessman. Here are her probing questions.
The “Grey” Areas
A business empire built on classic entrepreneurial practice and innovative altruism
The view from the 20th floor is impressive: the beautiful Seattle skyline and Pacific northwest landscape. The view inside is equally impressive: sleek, modern office décor punctuated by contemporary – and extremely expensive – art; and the highlight is the man behind the desk.
Everything about Christian Grey impresses; his rags-to-riches story, his unquenchable entrepreneurial spirit, his multi-billion dollar company, and his enigmatic personality.
The CEO of Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc. doesn’t usually talk about himself or his company, so the business press have often ignored him. But it’s hard to ignore the man who holds the title of most successful US businessman under the age of 30. Even if you factor out his age, he still ranks in the Top Five American CEOs.
I had a rare opportunity recently to spend a few moments with Mr. Grey, to talk about his success and to learn more about the advances his company has made in Africa and southeast Asia; advances that will not only revolutionize agriculture in poorer countries but boost even further the entrepreneurial reputation of Grey Enterprises Holdings. And it was clear from our few minutes with him that Mr. Grey lives up to his reputation as a man intensely focused on his business and deeply protective of his personal life.
1. This is an impressive view. And I’m not just talking about what I see outside the windows. You can see the entire city from office. And you’ve surrounded yourself with beautiful things – the art, the décor, the people who work for you. You in your surroundings…you seem to be master of all you survey. Is there any symbolism in the environment you’ve created, here in your office, in your company …in your life?
I’ve never consciously deployed symbolism in any environment I’ve created. I would consider that self-indulgent, and a waste of energy. I prefer to work in a clean, functional environment free from distractions. I do collect art – a great deal of art – and I’m interested in local artists, as you can tell from the Trouton here. But there’s no more significance than what you see. When you reach a certain level in business, people expect… well, they expect to see the trappings of success. The art fulfils that purpose. None of it is cheap.
2. Considering the success of Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc. and your personal success as an entrepreneur, it would appear from the outside that this is the culmination of a grand plan, each move calculated to bring you and your business ventures the ultimate gain. But when we look closely at your history, this is not the stuff that screams “Billionaire at 25.” So how does a man, adopted at a young age into a prominent family from what is suspected to be a difficult childhood, who struggled as a teenager, and later dropped out of Harvard become one of the most powerful businessmen in the country?
I see you’ve done your research.
What I have, I’ve achieved through hard work and focus. Hence my fondness for an uncluttered environment. It’s true, I never followed the crowd. I was what some people like to call a bad boy. It made me resilient, persistent, and tenacious, and it taught me to take risks, to question the received wisdom and to think laterally, unconventionally – as the cliché goes, think outside the box. Risky decisions have never frightened me. I go with my gut and ninety-nine percent of the time it doesn’t let me down. If you can free your mind from the clutter of other people’s expectations and the constraints of what’s expected of you, there’s no limit to what you can achieve.
It helps if you can read people. There’s a saying: ‘The fish rots from the head down.’ The strengths and the weaknesses of individuals are reflected in the companies they run. I’ve always been able to read people in business, and as I’ve gotten older, I’ve found it even easier. I also have an excellent team around me. Give good people room to work, pay them well and they’ll pay you back, time and time again.
3. Was there something in your past, in your childhood, that drives your ambition? Who would you consider as your biggest influence, professionally? Personally?
I think you’re being disingenuous, Belinda. Since my speech at WSU’s 2011 graduation ceremony, it’s well known I often went hungry as a small child. Hunger motivates. I have no wish to be hungry again, ever. Professionally, I’ve been influenced by my adoptive parents, who excel in their chosen fields. My mother is an accomplished physician here in Seattle, and my father an extremely successful lawyer, despite having the disadvantage of a conscience. They have been my guiding light. Although I’m not sure they’ve always felt like that, given my… ‘troubled’ past.
I also try to be guided by great industrialists, such as Andrew Carnegie. Back in the early twentieth century they faced the dawn of a new age of technology, just as we do today. Then it was electricity, mechanization and transport – now it’s digital technology, communications and the Internet. Information is the new global currency. I want to be in the forefront of the movement to propagate information across the planet, enabling less well-off communities to reap the benefits of faster, cheaper and more reliable communication.
There’s a vast untapped pool of human ability and talent out there, and I want to be the one to bring that online, to everyone’s benefit. And to the benefit of my company, of course.
4. But for you it isn’t just about making money and being successful. You are not only considered among the most successful and shrewd businessmen today but one of the most innovative and philanthropic. Most would see that as a contradiction. Care to explain the different sides of Christian Grey, businessman?
I don’t see it in those terms. I never have. As I’ve said, I’m merely trying to enable those less fortunate to contribute. Not just through better communication, but through sustainable, affordable technology and agriculture. Every one of us has a stake in this planet, but short-term thinking and get-rich-quick greed has plunged our economy and economies all round the planet into crisis. What do huge profits really achieve? Where does the profit motive get us? A few get mega-rich, sure, but to the detriment of all us. Fundamentally people have simple needs: food, shelter, and work, so they can provide for their children. If and when these needs are met we will have a functioning, sustainable, thriving global economy.
5. Much of the innovative nature of your business focuses attention on environmental issues and particularly those that strive to make a difference in the lives those less fortunate. Can you make money changing people’s lives?
Profit is not the point, but yes, if you insist. We’ve made tremendous progress in soil fertility and arable technology, allowing us to pioneer low input systems in our Third World test sites that have increased crop yields thirty percent per hectare. And naturally, the same innovations can benefit farming in the US. Sure, crop yields here are way higher than in the Third World, but only thanks to fertilizers that are incredibly energy intensive to produce. With the soaring cost of energy and the threat of climate change, we can’t expect those yields to last forever. First World, Third World – we’re all going to have to learn to manage our resources better.
6. What project excites you the most now and why?
The development of solar-powered and human-powered technology. I find this field fascinating. We are developing some mind-blowing projects at the moment.
7. Whose work do you admire; is there a contemporary of yours out there who is doing something you admire, or wish you were doing?
Who do I admire? My brother. He builds sustainable housing. He leads what you might call a simple life, but he’s on the cutting edge of all this. His work proves sustainable living is not only possible, but beautiful, and desirable.
8. You are very involved in promoting higher education. You fund scholarships in a wide area of studies and you have a close relationship with the Washington State University in Vancouver. Yet you didn’t finish your education. Is that why it has your attention and your financial support? Do you regret not finishing your Harvard degree?
I have no regrets about leaving Harvard early. Academia wasn’t for me. I’m more… practical, and I left because I was ready to start my own business. But there are no hard feelings – I lecture there once a year.
As for funding scholarships… it goes back to what I said earlier. Young people are the hope for our future, so recruit them early, empower them, and inspire them. Discourage them from following the crowd, let them think and dream for themselves… then watch them fly.
9. You keep your personal life very private. You are close to your family – how to do they feel about the life you’ve created, the business empire you run?
My private life is precisely that. To my family, I’m a son and a brother and that’s all. To them my business life is not relevant, so it’s not something we discuss, and if we did, I wouldn’t tell you.
10. Where do you see yourself, professionally and personally in five years? Ten years? If you master all of these areas you are currently involved in, and those that interest you, what’s next?
We’ll see, Belinda, we’ll see. To those with an open mind life is full of possibilities.
~oo0oo~
Questions by BG Willis
Editing by NEW
My sincere thanks to them both and to Hoot too and to the lovely Dr Collins.
(c) E L James 2011 – No unauthorised reproduction of this article without the express written permission of the author.
i almost stopped, dropped, and rolled when i got the old sqi message in my inbox! oh how i’ve missed you and 50! thank you for the interview with 50, he sure is being himself here, obviously not as taken with this interviewer as miss ana, eh? i love how he addresses the question about his family, too funny! i miss it so! side note, i had also registered on this blogsite a while back and didn’t the notification from el james, only from sqi…just thought i’d mention it.
abr
Yay!
What a lovely outtake. I couldn’t stop thinking about Ana’s (Kate’s) questions from her interview.
Oh, Fifty!
Thank you,
Liz x
Hi I’m new here.
Just a bit confused on this, is this what the interview would have been like in the book? Was Belinda changed to Ana?
Sorry just confused of what’s going on here.
Thanks
GAH! You astound me with your ability to write such believable characters. I can’t wait for the 2nd book…keep them coming! (no pun intended)
Oh Icy, you continue to amaze me! This tidbit of our lovely Fifty provides us with a little sweet, yet oh so sour, taste to barely quench our addiction you have created! You always write him so well
Looking forward to the 2nd book release. Hope the editing is going well, loved the 1st book. so does this mean we could have all 3 books by the end of the year? That would be awesome!! Love the new website ~Tracey xoxox
This was amazing as always… Looking forward to the next book!
Happy surprise…I always love a look into Christian’s mind.
I couldn’t be prouder … really, you’re amazing.
I wish the best, always.
Quite the inspiring individual he is.
And fabulous interview!.. Dare I say better than Ana’s?.. O.o Well, just in that there was no awkward fumbling or uncomfortable inquiries of him being more ‘partial’ to the male persuasion.
Although, despite that, Miss Steele did manage to get a little ‘further’ with our Mr. Grey. 
I love that he admires his bro bro, Elliot.
Snazzy new digs you got here, Ms. James. I look forward to “Fifty Shades Darker,” especially considering where the first one left off!
So very happy to have found you again, Ms. Icy. I received your email today and dropped everything to come and attend your blog. Thanks for letting us know you’re here!
My only disappointment is waiting until August to order “Darker…” I am fifty shades of impatient.
This!!!
Evaporation! I know, right! We’re, they’re, back!
Great interview:) Typical Fifty,lol!! love the new blog.
Oh Fifty – it sounds like this interview was done after the end of Shades of Grey when he is alone and pondering the future with or without Ana…at least he is still the Master of all he surveys in the business world. Counting the days until the next book!!!!
Great interview – always love any insight into Fifty. I miss him
Can’t wait for Book II, this blog will help with the wait though. So happy to see it up and running. Thanks Icy!
Fantastic!!!!! It’s like an interview from The New York Times or something! I loveeeeeee it!!! This was an amazing surprise! thank you so much for keep doing this
love from Venezuela
xxx
Christian Grey has such an unique voice as a character. He has a strong internal logic and an amazing work ethic. Thank you for Fifty.
As always, I love getting to see into Fifty’s mind! I can’t wait to get my hands on Fifty Shades Darker – what a cruel point in the story to leave off. Even though I have already read MOTU, it still breaks my heart! </3
Hey there Icy Mate,
I love this interview, it helps us understand his thinking loads more. I wanna say how much I’ve missed ur writing, u r in a nut shell bloody brilliant. Soooo I was wondering if we have any more interviews and other goodies to look forward too? I have so missed you beloved, glad to have you back having fun with your fans as well as keeping us on our toes.
Can’t wait until August.
)
Loved the interview with Grey! ~ Keye
So well done. His wit and dry sense of humor shine through, as well as his slight impatience with trival thoughts.
Good thing there were no questions in regards to him being gay.. his palm may have twitched again.
Excellent. Love book one and so looking forward to book two ( and three for that matter !)
Ah Fifty! Still the master of all things! Can’t get enough of him. Loved this ‘interview’. You still amaze me by the amount of research done for this story. Thanks Icy!
Can’t wait for book two!
Monday here. When I saw the email I suspended all work activities to hurry over. What an unexpected pleasure… coffee and Fifty! An entirely captivating interview. I so enjoy his gift for parry and riposte! And do I detect a bit of risque double entendre here Mr. Grey? “To those with an open mind life is full of possibilities” I get all quivery inside simply considering them. Fifty is always exciting and intriguing and I loved this. I do hope we will be “seeing” more of him here in the future.
erimus
Oh Icy, to have him here, close, in control, being so Fifty. Lovely to be with you both again. Book two, cannot wait.
Man, this just got me longing for more 50 again! I think I’ll go re read the whole thing for the bazillionth time. Honestly, I lost count.
You make me fall in love with your characters time and time, again. Thank you! This outtake makes me want to go read your book, again. I’m anxiously awaiting the second installment.
I subscribed to your new blog, but was not notified of another posting. I checked my spam folder, but it wasn’t there, either. Is anyone else having any issues? I was just glad I was able to receive the notification from your previous blog.
me, too!
Soo good hearing from you again! As soon as he started talking it just screamed Fifty all over again and it’s very exciting. Very confident 50, still hot as ever. Looking forward to Fifty Shades Darker.
Excellent interview. I love the frustrated, impatient tone that he seemed to give off when he felt like he was repeating his answers to her. That’s our 50!! Gotta love him!! ;o)
XOXO
Sooo good!! I just got your alert today about this new blog!! I am now registered, strapped in and ready to go!!
I want you to know that I purchased YOUR book Fifty Shades of Grey and absolutely loved it…read it in one sitting!! Naturally…
I am anxiously awaiting the 2nd part of the trilogy!!
Thanks for sharing such an incredible journey with me and all of your avid fans!!
Until next time…xoxoxoxo
That was a very ’50′ interview. Saying a lot but leaving so much out. Lokng forward to book 2. I really miss these characters.
Oh Fifty we have missed you. Nice to get an inside look into his business mind. Great interview Ms. E.L. & Belinda. Too bad Ana didn’t interrupt the interview though that would have been sweet. Even though we left her pretty sad at the end of Fifty Shades of Grey. He needs to do some making up in F.S. of Darkness. Can’t wait until Aug 11 and I hope you post Christian’s point of view outtake soon.
It’s always wonderful to see anything Fifty related! I loved this interview….not quite the same as the one Ana first did….
Thanks for sharing!
hugs, Sus
Love seeing the attempt to pry inside his mind! Thanks for the Monday surprise!!!
Loved the interview! Your a great writer. Thanks for keeping me entralled for the last year and a half!!
Love it! Out of curiosity, at what point in Christian and Ana’s relationship are we here? I know it’s started, as the WSU speech has happened…but beyond that I’m unclear. Thanks
Hi.. and thank you…
It’s early June 2011… between the books.
Oh good, because this really scared me.
It is between book 2 & book 3. Christians birthday was 18th June when the engagement was announced and book 3 started 3rd week into their honeymoon in August. I have worked it out that they must of married approx 30th July.
I love the way you write your characters. They seem to be real people instead of fictional.
Belinda is in fact a really lucky girl. I hope that Mrs. Grey won’t get mad because of this interview cause we all now how her story began with Mr. Grey.
Love the interview!!
I don’t know how you make 50 so damn sexy in an interview, but you did!!! Soooo hot!!!
I can’t wait for book two- I miss 50:(
Thx
Wonderful. Its great to get an opportunity to see into a characters mind.
Amazing as always-I almost forget 50 is not a “real” man! This interview makes me love him more! I felt like I was reading an interview in the Sunday NY Times magazine!
Thanks Icy for a new insight to the amazing Christian Grey!
Beautifully written, as usual. A nice insight into Fifty’s way of thinking AFA business goes. Keeping his private life private, of course!
Just a little teaser.. So looking forward to Fifty Shades Darker….
Love any insight into his mind. Thank you!
Love it! Icy, the research and the depth you put into a character is amazing! You cannot tell me Christian is not real…lol
What can I say? Amazing as usual, good to have you back even only for an outtake, looking forward for your next book
amazing, you astound us with your talent, your characters are part of our lives. We live through them.Thank you for continuing on with this journey. Yes, I also agree, Belinda is one lucky girl. Hoping for more soon.
“I think your being disingenuous Belinda”<–THIS is so 50!! I love it! Interviews with Christian are like getting a peek behind the curtain. Belinda is a lucky, lucky, girl.
Cheers!
Hehe. Swelled head on that Christian. Not that it isn’t well deserved.
xx
well damn, I notice he didn’t offer to show Belinda around! Playing favorites Mr. Grey?
pbjilly very good observation!!!!hahaha…I say he is indeed.
And if he takes any offence on my comment,I would be more than happy he to punish me accordingly:)
Blimey.
As Always this is so amazing. Mr Grey is certainly a ” Man Of Mystery ” and this all makes him that much more desirable.
Great interview. Fascinating man.
I always love to see a bit into Christian’s mind. I think Belinda is a lucky girl, to have the chance to interview him. I wonder if there were any questions that he refused to answer. LOL.
Amazing interview! You amaze me with your writing and the development of your hero.
Fabulous!