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From Sheep to Sodas: The Early Years of J. Willard Marriott
Article Overview: "A man should keep on being constructive, and do constructive things,” J. Willard Marriott once said. “He should take part in the things that go on in this wonderful world. He should be someone to be reckoned with. He should live life and make every day count, to the very end. Sometimes it's tough. But that's what I'm going to do.”
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From Sheep to Sodas: The Early Years of J. Willard Marriott
"A man should keep on being constructive, and do constructive things,” J. Willard Marriott once said. “He should take part in the things that go on in this wonderful world. He should be someone to be reckoned with. He should live life and make every day count, to the very end. Sometimes it's tough. But that's what I'm going to do.”
That is exactly what John Willard Marriott did. What began as a small nine-stool root beer stand in 1927 and, later, a chain of family restaurants in 1932, Marriot grew into one of the largest hospitality, hotel chains and food services companies in the world. By the time Marriott died in 1985, the company he founded owned more than 1,400 restaurants and 143 hotels and resorts around the world, which together earned revenues in excess of $4.5 billion.
Marriott was born into a poor family on September 17, 1900. His father was a Mormon sheepherder, who Marriott began to work for when he was just 8 years old. By the age of 14, Marriott had been entrusted with taking the sheep from Utah across to such cities as San Francisco. “My father gave me the responsibility of a man,” said Marriott years later. “He would tell me what he wanted done, but never said much about how to do it. It was up to me to find out for myself.”
When he was 19, Marriott traveled to New England, where he spent the next two years preaching the Gospel. After returning home to discover his family had gone bankrupt in the wake of an economic recession, Marriott decided to go back and finish his education. Despite never finishing high school, Marriott talked his way into a community college. He also negotiated a deal whereby he would pay for his tuition by teaching theology classes.
Marriott eventually transferred to the University of Utah, paying tuition through a job he took selling woollen underwear to lumberjacks. It was during his senior year that Marriott decided to take advantage of the heat and open an A&W root beer stand in Salt Lake City. With modest success, Marriott decided it was time for his next move.
Marriott, with $1,500 of his own saved money, along with a $1,500 loan, opened a small root beer stand in Washington, D.C. All summer long, Marriott hit the streets and experienced booming success. But as winter came, Marriott’s sales crashed.
Instead of giving up, Marriott decided to cover up the old A&W root beer sign and throw up a sign that read “Hot Shoppe”. It was his first indoor venture, and he began by doling out large quantities of Mexican food. By handing out free coupons on street corners and focusing on quality, Marriott was soon able to open up two more locations. He also bought the empty lot next to one of his Hot Shoppes, removed the curb, and began offering what was one of the first drive-in services in America.
With waiters, called “curbers,” serving food to cars at their windows, customers could not get enough. And, neither could Marriott, who immediately began thinking of his next big move. By 1932, Marriott had seven Hot Shoppes and was almost a millionaire. But it was not enough for the ever aspiring entrepreneur.
Lesson #2: “Great companies are built by people who never stop thinking about ways to improve the business.”
From Sheep and Sodas to Success: How Marriott Became a Name We Know
Competent Jerk versus Lovable Fool? (Network Member Question)
Lesson #5: “Success seems to be connected to action.”
Leaving the Sheep Behind: Marriott Hits It Big
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Happy New Years!
- Happy Belated New Years!
Out of curiosity what are your new years resolutions for your business? Did anyone manage to honour their past resolutions?
My Holiday
- I'm taking a trip to India for 3.5wks. haven't seen my grandma in 15years and there's also going to be a wedding. Can't wait.
Oh and I'll be spending New Years in Goa... Anyone been there? That's the place my grandparents are from but I've never visited as they moved to Mumbai a while ago.
Does anyone have recommendations of Hotels they've been to?
Will be checking out TripAdvisor...
Re: Best Internet Marketing Strategies
- I would honestly say, don't put all of your eggs in one basket.
Years ago I was so proud to say that I could 'sell' to anyone in any industry. Over time I realized that certain industries were much more lucrative in terms of commissions and order quantity.
I think the same idea definitely exists in internet advertising - if you are looking to one or two single sources of online marketing, you aren't seeing the whole picture.
Keep with it, and try and make some kind of consistant effort.
Re: New Year Resolutions...
- My New Years Resolution is to be earning $500+ with my online business. This includes any freelance work that I do. I'm about half-way there now.
Another Resolution is to look into selling more on eBay and maybe finding a reputable dropshipper that offers competitive pricing on high-demand items. I like eBay and the opportunity that it provides. I've mainly been selling personal items, but I'd like to start tapping into a larger market and making some significant income on eBay.
Re: Happy New Years!
- [quote="Nana":2gg8n7v8]Happy Belated New Years!
Out of curiosity what are your new years resolutions for your business? Did anyone manage to honour their past resolutions?[/quote:2gg8n7v8]
Happy new year! I have a rule NOT to make resolutions...[i:2gg8n7v8] just my quirk![/i:2gg8n7v8] I've seen the disappointment too many times at failing to stick with the resolution.
BUT - I will silently set some intentions for the year ahead and try to be mindful of achieving them... As I get older, I've gotten better at focusing on those goals too. As Martin has said - [i:2gg8n7v8]just focus on one thing at a time[/i:2gg8n7v8] - cross it off your list, then move on to the next...
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