In this episode of Tell Us Your Story… Welcome to the Arena, we sat down with someone who’s walked a long and winding road from a small desert town to entrepreneurship—Justin Fellenz, founder of Share Soleil.
Justin’s story is rooted in challenge, self-discovery, and a relentless willingness to figure things out on his own terms.
Growing Up in 29 Palms
Justin was raised in 29 Palms, a small military town in the high desert of California. Known for its Marine base and not much else, it was a tough environment where distractions were limited and challenges were plenty. Raised by a single mom alongside his younger brother, Justin found his outlet in academics.
“I graduated high school at 16,” he said, recalling how school was one of the few structured paths available. But despite excelling academically, Justin knew something was missing. “There wasn’t a lot of mentorship, or anyone talking about financial literacy or real-world skills.”
Early Adulthood, Fatherhood, and College Life
After a brief stint as a CNA and becoming a father at age 20, Justin moved with his young family from 29 Palms to UC Davis, chasing a better future. College life was a culture shock—full of opportunity, but also filled with uncertainty.
He started as a statistics major but eventually switched to communications. “I was talented, but I didn’t have a plan,” he admitted. That lack of direction weighed on him, especially as a young husband and father trying to balance education, work, and self-discovery.
When his marriage ended, Justin found himself back at UC Davis, overweight and depressed—but also ready to rebuild. He threw himself into basketball, lost over 100 pounds, and slowly began reconnecting with himself.
Finding His Voice Through Fitness and Sales
Justin’s first real passion emerged through fitness. After working front desk jobs and selling memberships, he realized he had a natural ability to connect with people.
“I wasn’t just trying to close deals—I was building trust and asking for referrals before the sale was even made,” he shared.
From gyms in Colorado Springs to Woodland, California, and eventually to Vegas, Justin chased opportunity wherever he could find it. At one point, he even sold gym memberships on buses full of patrons visiting a casino —armed with t-shirts, contracts, and an instinct to serve people where they were.
Solar, Strategy, and a Leap into Entrepreneurship
After the pandemic shut down the fitness world, Justin pivoted into solar sales. “The commissions were big, but the industry had problems—poor leadership, shady practices, and bad marketing.”
Eventually, he realized he could do it better himself. He launched Share Soleil, named after his daughter, Soleil (which means “sun” in French). His vision: to simplify solar, make it more transparent, and empower others—like realtors and insurance agents—to build it into their businesses.
“I wanted autonomy. I wanted to move how I wanted to move. I don’t want to ask for permission to do what’s right for the client.”
What’s Next for Justin
Justin is still in the early stages of building Share Soleil, but his passion is undeniable. He’s focused on creating educational content, building strategic partnerships, and using tech to make solar approachable and easy to integrate into other industries.
And at the heart of it all is a simple belief: “Bet on yourself.”
From the harsh deserts of 29 Palms to the cutting edge of solar tech, Justin Fellenz is building his future, one decision at a time—and doing it in a way that reflects both where he came from and who he’s becoming.
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