Troy McClain: His rags to riches story.

Humble beginnings

Born in Anchorage, Alaska, Troy spent the majority of his childhood split between both Alaska and Spokane, Wash., where he spent his high school years. Troy attempted to solve problems with fists and fighting. He even spent some time in a boys' home back in Alaska. As he matured, he stepped up to be the man his grandpa challenged him to be, and started focusing his energy on more positive endeavors.

In 1989 Troy's mother bought him the book The Art of the Deal, by Donald Trump. He read it cover to cover and promised his mom that one day he would meet Mr. Trump. He used the success that Mr. Trump had achieved as motivation to work hard and find a way to provide for his family so they would never have to worry about money. In 1989 he graduated from Mead High School in Spokane, and wrote as his senior quote, "Trump, I'm coming!"

After high school, college was not an option since he took on the responsibility of supporting his mother and sister, who both suffered challenging health issues. Troy has often affectionately referred to his sister, DoraLynn, as one of his greatest inspirations. He ran a health club in Spokane for a couple of years before deciding to enter the field of investing. He hit the streets to make a fortune. Troy said, "I did anything and everything to make a buck!"

Life changing choices

After several years in the health club business, Troy decided to get into the mortgage and lending business. By 1995, using the tactics he learned from Mr. Trump's book, he was a top producer for new hires for Cherry Creek Mortgage in Spokane, in both fee income and volume. By 1996, he was in management for Royal Mortgage Bank in Boise, Idaho, with a proven track record of being able to break into new markets.

In 1998, Troy's mother was diagnosed with Lupus. At the time, he had been promoted by his employer, WMC Mortgage Corp., and was moved to Denver to help launch the company there. He decided, however, to quit his job and move back to Boise, where there were better medical facilities for his mother and sister. This is when Troy said, out of necessity, he was forced to "truly cut entrepreneurial teeth." Troy added:

"When you've got no job, it's amazing how motivated you can get. I began to use my experiences in the mortgage business to buy and sell real estate while at the same time working at various banks and mortgage companies. As my real estate portfolio grew, so did my borrowing power. And I learned to add more products and services to offer my clients."

The move to Boise proved fruitful in more ways than one. Not only did he find a thriving business community, he also found his beautiful wife, Crystal, whom he married in 2003. Today Troy is a lender, mortgage broker, benefits consultant, real estate investor, and tycoon. He owns seven properties and is building an insurance business... Certainly a Hollywood ending for any former "Apprentice"!