Jim Stavis
AUTHOR

Jim Stavis

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Jim Stavis has spent his life learning what it means to keep going when the future is uncertain. Told at seventeen that he might not live to fifty, he chose not to live in fear. That choice carried him through four brushes with death, the loss of his longtime business partner, the loss of his wife, and odds no one had beaten before.

Along the way, he co-founded Paragon Steel in Southern California and built it into a company that has helped shape landmarks across Los Angeles for nearly four decades. He also formed a lasting friendship with his donor's family, a bond that has grown over twenty years.

His memoir, When Hope Is Your Only Option, was a Montaigne Medal finalist in the Eric Hoffer Awards and was named a Pacific Book Review Notable Book. Kirkus Reviews called it "honest, moving, and an invaluable source of hope for those facing all manner of adversities." The revised edition, released in 2026, is now also available as an audiobook. Jim also wrote and directed Source of Hope, an award-winning short documentary.

Jim was recently interviewed on CNBC about his journey in business and life. Today, he speaks about resilience, leadership and the everyday work of choosing hope, not as a slogan but as something people can practice when life doesn't go as planned.
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