Sam Walton Research Paper

From working in dime stores to owning his own, growing up during the great depression taught Sam Walton the importance of diligence and hard work that led him to become the founder of America’s largest company. His hard work ethic led him to a life of great success, and left a legacy like no other. Despite moving all throughout the midwest as a child, Sam Walton remained an eager child through all of his activities, allowing him to thrive throughout his educational years. His exceptional attitude allowed him to move employee, to employer, to business mogul in a matter of years (“The Walton Brothers”). As noted by Sally Lee in the book “Sam Walton: Business Genius of Walmart,” Sam Moore Walton was born in Kingfisher, Oklahoma to Thomas and

He would be selling everything from name brand household items, clothes, and even auto parts. This would be the beginning of a lifelong journey for Sam Walton. He called the new store “Wal-Mart,” a store that promised “everyday low prices (Packer, George).” This new store was a hit, and by a mere 5 years later he had 32 stores in four different states. After the company went public in 1970, Sam Walton was worth $15 million. “Throughout the 1970s, Wal-Mart doubled its sales every two years. By 1973 there were 55 stores in five states. By 1976 there were 125 stores, with sales of $340 million (Packer, George).” When 1980 came there were 276 Wal-Mart stores with sales surpassing $1 billion. It was in the 80s that the company not only continued to grow and thrive domestically, the stores began popping up overseas. And today, there are over 11,000 stores in 27 different countries (“Our History: Sam Walton”). What started as a dream to own a store in a small town turned into an empire launched worldwide in only a matter of

Surprisingly, his frugal tendencies continued into his more comfortable lifestyle, because although he was a not a big spender, the company gave very little to charity. While you may believe ridicule for these actions would be high, the local scholarship given out each year gained the necessary publicity than a charitable giving. However, his caring nature did not cease to exist. Mr. Sam, as he became to his employees, continued to check in to locations nationwide. They were repeatedly instructed in good customer service habits, and he tried his best to please the press, other companies, and of course the American consumer.

He was diagnosed with leukemia for the first time in 1982, but he tried to not let that slow him down. Again in 1989 he was diagnosed with incurable multiple myeloma, and from here, his time was limited. At this point in his life, he, along with his wife and children, were worth approximately $23 billion (“Sam Walton Biography”). In early 1992, Sam Walton was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George H. W. Bush. He passed away in April of that year, shortly after turning 74 (“Packer,