My Dad Celebrates 55 Years As A Furniture Sales Rep

This High Point Market will mark my father’s attendance at his 150th furniture show. This includes trips to Chicago, Dallas, Hickory, San Francisco, Tupelo, High Point and Las Vegas. For many years he only had to go to 2 shows a year. But of course recently there could have been as many as 6 shows in year.During those many markets, always as a multi-line guy, he pioneered such future powerhouses as Bernhardt, Benchcraft, Douglas, Kingsley, Hickory Manufacturing, Pilliod, Liberty Chair, and Eastwood Chair. Today he actively represents Progressive Furniture, Ligo Products, Hughes Furniture and Woodcrest Manufacturing.

Yes, in his mid-70’s, he is still very active in the industry. In the next couple of weeks he will log 1000’s of miles to give sales presentations in various stores. Things have changed a bit though. Instead of driving from Omaha in the winter to the middle of North Dakota for a meeting, he is now flying from Scottsdale to Salt Lake City. There are definitely some benefits to the wisdom of the ages.

As I think about all the friendships he’s made over the years, all the lines he’s carried, and all the products he’s pitched, it got me thinking how many other sales warriors we have that have built this industry.

I encourage you to use the comments section below to share with the rest of the furniture community about sales reps who are still active after 50 plus years experience. Maybe if there’s enough response, the good folks at Furniture/Today would consider a story about these venerable road warriors.