Everybody Starts Small

Sam Walton celebrated his birthday during his life time on March 29th of every year. He was the son of Thomas Gibson Walton and Nancy Lee. His early life was spent in Kingfisher Oklahoma where his parents had a farm. Later his father would go into the career of farm mortgaging. It was his job to foreclose on farms that could not pay the mortgage.

The Waltons would move around quite often. When Sam was in eighth grade he was living in a small town in Missouri. It was here that Sam reached a goal few do he became the youngest Eagle Scouts in the State. This would be one of the earliest achievements but not the last as Sam Walton knew how to reach for the stars.

Walton learned the meaning of work growing up during the Great Depression. Completing numerous chores to help the family earn money. Milking cows, bottling surplus, and driving customers. He also delivered newspapers and sold magazines. Voted "Most Versatile Boy" in highschool. After high school it was onto college and a search for way to help support the family.

Sam Walton attended college at the University of Missouri on a ROTC cadet. While studying at school he continued to work jobs like waiting tables in exchange for meals. He made strides in school joining various clubs, and President of Burall Bible class. After graduating from college with a bachelor degree he worked at J.C. Penny as a management trainee in Des Moines Iowa. He earned $75 month. He would work for Penny's a year and a 1/2. He then joined the military in the army Intelligence Corps and supervised security at aircraft plants and prisoner of war camps. He was stationed in Salt Lake City, Utah. He would earn the rank of captain before leaving the army in 1945.

Walton would take over management of variety store at the mere age of 26. His father in law would help him purchase his first store. A Ben Franklin Store in Newport Arkansas. He would soon after purchase a second store. The first 3 years he would nearly triple the money earned. Walton was forced to sell the businesses back when the land lord refused to renew the lease.

Walton, his wife and father in law would start looking for a new location. The new location would be in Bentonville Arkansas. It was a small store with a 99 year lease. Sams father in law would purchase the store next door as well.

Eventually in 1962 the first Wal-Mart would open in Rogers, Arkansas. The goal was to market American made products Sam Walton believed in locating stores in smaller towns not larger cities as well as distributing goods using its own truck service. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. also runs Sam's Club warehouse stores. Walmart operates in the U.S. and in 15 international markets, including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Japan, Mexico, Nicaragua and the United Kingdom.^[

Did you know that March 29th is not only the Birthday of Sam Walton it is also the date to salute Mom and Pop Business Owners. These are the little stores owned by individuals who may or may not be mom and pops but are often thought of being that way. It is sad that these once ever popular stores are starting to disappear. If you know a shop that is ran by mom and pop then be sure to say "Thank You"





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