Tony Little Walked in With 200 Stitches. He Said It was a "Sales Advantage." The Infomerical Made $100 Million

I’ve met may great entrepreneurs, but Tony Little might be my favorite. He’s practically the poster boy for the Notes template - derring-do entrepreneur overcomes incredible odds, figures out the secret sauce, and goes on to victory.

That he is a humble and nice guy too doesn’t hurt!

No wonder the title to pony-tailed exercise guru Tony Little’s book is “There’s Always a Way.” Consider what he’s been through:

• Almost drowned twice

• Shot at twice

• Electrocuted twice

• 4 car accidents

• Dad committed suicide

• 4 herniated discs in back

• Flat broke

• Owed IRS $1.1 million

• 4 reconstructive face surgeries

Let’s stop there, but the list goes on (and on and on)

Here is the story we need to share tonight:

Tony had just landed a deal to star in the infomercial for the Gazelle, the above funky elliptical-like contraption.

This was his last shot.

The company behind it had put big money behind the campaign. Cameras, crew, a live audience. Tony was going to be the face of it all.

Then?

A car crash. A bad one. 200 stitches in his face.

Show cancelled, replacemet needed.

Not So Fast.

Tony left the hospital, determined not to lose this gig, his comeback opportuity. He flew to Ohio, walked into the company president’s office, and made the pitch of his life:

It worked. The president was impressed.

Showtime!

Tony walked onstage - still swollen, stitched, and bandaged.

And he sold the hell out of the Gazelle.

The result?

• Over 5 million units sold.

• Over $1.5 billion in revenue.

• And Tony Little became a household name.

What happened that day is that Tony did not just pitch a product. He used his story, he pitched his story.

And America ate it up.

The Accident Became the Advantage.

The car accident and disfigurement that could have ruined his life became his comeback vehicle; his source of strength, the differentiator.

The thing that should have ended him became the thing that defined him.

There is real power in that.

So the next time you think, I can’t pitch this client with a black eye, or with a wonky website, or a partner who failed to show up, think again.

Think Tony.

As he is wont to say,

You can do it!

Takeaway

When the moment comes, even if you are bruised, bandaged, and broken. Show up anyway.

Do not wait to be perfect. Do not wait until the scars fade. Do not wait until you feel ready. Show up and do the damn thing.

The right story is stronger than the right circumstances.

Steal This Strategy

• 🛠️ Tool – Tony Little’s Top Sayings (Download)
  Our free tool for you today: 10 real quotes from America’s most intense infomercial star — all about resilience, mindset, and showing up when it counts.

• 📖 Book – There’s Always a Way by Tony Little
  Tony’s full comeback story, from injuries and lawsuits to billion-dollar fitness icon. Reads like a business memoir meets motivational bootcamp.

• 🎥 Video – Gazelle Infomercial
  See the moment that made him famous — high energy, relentless belief, and one wild ponytail.

• 🎙️ Podcast – Tony Little on HDF Magazine
  Raw interview where Tony talks about the accident, the infomercial, and what it really took to win.

Today’s Poll!

About Steve

Steve Strauss is the best-selling author of The Small Business Bible (and 17 other books), Inc.’s small business columnist, a lawyer (non-practicing), and an entrepreneur. He sold his last venture, TheSelfEmployed.com to Mark Cuban & Zen Business. Need a ghostwriter or a newsletter for your business? Contact Steve!