Furniture Retail Tip #22 From Grandpa Mike-e-e! at 90 - A Fine Business Question From A Fine Father

One of the beautiful, quality segments of this furniture game of ours is its people.  A-n-d it's not just "people people" it's "little people." A-n-d it's not just "little people" it's little people with fine training and experience and love.

Love? Yes! Love for what they're living for. Love for what they're working for. A-n-d love for the people they're working for... like family.

"Gee! Grandpa!" you moan as you gulp your Starbuck weekly "special" and shake your head in sorrow. "When a guy hits ninety you never know what he's going to have you crying about next." Maybe, kids. So let me tell you.

I once received a telephone call from a home furnishings retailer who had a family business problem that was "beautiful." It was beautiful in the sense that it came from his heart. In business? Yes, in business.

The gentleman told me he was in a dilemma. His son was graduating college and wanted to join his Dad in their successful, home furnishings family store. Wow-e-e! I seriously thought to myself. What a beautiful family compliment.

The father went on to tell me that he loved and respected his son but that he did not want him in the family business. Why? Because he was afraid that they would rub against one another because the young man had business ideas of his own that he would want to try. What should he do?

I felt it was an honor to be called.

I remembered that some dealers (and manufacturers) in our industry game had a plan that they used to help one another in similar dilemmas. They would gladly welcome the "stranger" in one of their out-of-town-stores or factories to allow offspring to learn the everyday ropes of our game, away from their family:

They'd have to show up on time; have to ask for time out for a haircut; permission to use the company telephone for "friendly" calls; and most important, to accept daily assignments without pro and con discussions. In other words, the kids got no "special family" goodies.

The father thanked me for my time and replied that he'd seriously kick the idea around.

About two years later I suddenly thought about that call and telephoned the father. The father answered and was quick to thank me for thinking about the family. I suddenly felt as if I was butting in but the father sounded pleased, so I was glad.

The father related that his son was now married and had opened... and was the owner... of a furniture specialty shop with unique features. He was very proud. His son was not only successful with an original idea store but did it all on his own with a bank loan. In my mind I guessed that Dad helped insure that move and didn't worry about it.

Later on, I realized that the caring and love they had for one another had been reinforced. It was great news and I was happy and was thanked for my call and interest,

A-n-d, I almost forgot; the father reported that his son had just made him a proud grandfather. Super finish and super beginning!