Customer Reviews

Longaberger: An American Success Story

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

In a time of downsizing and a slowing economy, here's the tale of a man and a company who did things right and experienced phenomenal results. Dave Longaberger tells the remarkable story of raising his daughters and growing his company to a billion-dollar business. He weaves a delightful, but enlightning tale, of hard work, perserverence, dedication, and success. With little more than handshakes, promises, and a few devoted employees willing to work for months without pay, Dave made his family name synonomous with quality American handmade baskets.

If you've become cynical, skeptical, or downright depressed you need this book! Dave reminds us that "walking the talk" and being genuinely interested in people are the skills that bring us to personal, and often professional, success. You'll love reading about his fantasy-cow, Flossie, and later, as president of Longaberger, how he dealt with an arrogant salesman. Dave's integrity, business instincts, practical jokes, and love for his parents make a fantastic story and once you read it, you'll wish you could have worked in that old, hot, drafty woolen mill with him - or at least known him.

Buy a copy for yourself and one for your boss!

David Longaberger is an American hero. What a great role model he is for young people just starting out in the business world. He's proof that the free enterprise system is alive and well. Only in America could the Longaberger Company happen.

Since my husband passed away, I took over the family business with my son and daughter, so I read with great interest how Dave developed his two daughers, Tami and Rachel, to follow in his footsteps. As the expression goes, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. What outstanding women they are! Now, like their dad, will serve as role models for millions of self-employed women, and men.

This book can be enjoyed by both men and women of all ages. This book is a classic because its message is timeless.

This is a remarkably heart-warming business book.

The Longaberger company's mission is "to stimulate a better quality of life" and that's just what it has done since being founded by Dave Longaberger and his family in 1973. The obvious products of the company include high quality hand-made baskets and pottery, but the family has always sought to improve life for everyone associated with the company, including the community where it is based.

The book is an autobiography of his life, and an official history of the company. Mr. Longaberger passed away on St. Patrick's day in 1999, and the book was taken through final editing by others. The company continues under the leadership of his older daughter, Tami, as CEO. His younger daughter, Rachel, heads the Longaberger Foundation.

Mr. Longaberger was a simple man in many ways who was deeply committed to other people. This book should be evaluated as a portrayal of his ideals and practices, rather than as a typical autobiography.

I was reluctant to grade the book down at all, because clearly Mr. Longaberger and his company both deserve more than five stars. The book does wander more than necessary, and the management advice is hard to absorb because there is so much of it.

Anyone can and should be inspired by this story. It is a modern real-life saga of the American Dream fulfilled.

One of 12 children, he grew up in a decent, hard-working, but poor family. Saddled with a stutter, epileptic seizures until he was 12, and a learning difficulty that kept him in high school until he was 21, Mr. Longaberger saw setbacks as simply a way to prepare him to accomplish more. He always had his eyes open for opportunity and was willing to put his full efforts and resources behind his ventures. He succeeded because others believed in him.

As a man without much book education, he more than made up for that by being a student and fan of people. "Any success I may have had I credit to this . . . principle: look, think, and do." He felt that others had a lot to teach him, if he would only listen and pay attention. But he had to follow through on the advice, or he would lose their respect and the opportunity to improve. One of the many times this paid off was when Ms. Charleen Cuckovich came to him in 1977 and asked if she could sell his baskets direct after seeing them languishing in a store on consignment. This was the beginning of the change in distribution to at-home parties that led to the company's eventual success.

People trusted him all his life. His first basket weavers worked for 10 months before he could pay them. A neighbor co-signed a loan at the bank without being asked so he could buy one of his first businesses. An IRS agent decided not to close him down when Longaberger fell behind in paying the company's payroll withholding taxes. When the company almost failed in 1986, everyone rallied behind the cuts he had to make in commissions, employment, and spending.

Clearly, Mr. Longaberger (who was known informally as "Popeye") was one in a million. He lived his life by the Golden Rule. He also liked to put a bit of fun into his business. The pranks he pulled on his customers and employees will keep you chuckling. I'm sorry that I never had a chance to meet him.

Anyone who is thinking about starting up a business should read this book. It is the most accurate portrayal that I have read about the very real problems and opportunities of starting up or buying a business.

The book is full of what will seem like cliched statements. You should focus on what he did in the examples for drawing your conclusions, rather than on the aphorisms. "I've always competed with myself to do better." He clearly did. He also put others ahead of himself. "I'm the first to take blame . . . and the first to give credit . . . ."

Perhaps his best business advice is the following. "Most things in life are not so difficult. You just have to work to keep them simple." Almost everyone I see violates this important principle.

As for faith, Mr. Longaberger never doubted he would succeed. When he didn't see a way out in 1986, he brought his daughters together and asked them what else could be done. Within hours, the outline of a rescue plan was complete. "If you're truly determined, there's no limit to what you can accomplish."

As for trust, Mr. Longaberger always treated everyone like his own family. To encourage his restaurant employees, he would have them count the cash at the end of the day to see how they were doing. Most people won't let anyone but the family anywhere near cash in a small business. His values were "integrity, honesty, standing on our word, being respectful of others, treating people right, and understanding our customers and . . . associates."

After you read this book, I suggest you think about how your work matches your values. If you don't like what you find, either get those values changed in your workplace or find somewhere to work that does match your values.

Do good, whatever else you do.

This is a fantastic book. A must read for all business owners. Dave Longaberger is a down to earth real person. His stories and the history of his company are fascinating. I can't put it down.

While many successful business folk claim to be 'self made' men, the beauty of Dave Longaberger's life is that he was always willing to acknowledge those that influenced him and supported him in his quest to fulfill his dream of rebuilding the basket industry in the United States. In the process of making that dream a reality, he also created a vision of stimulating a better quality of life. Longaberger not only lifts up examples of the role his family, friends and employees played in his success, but also the role his naysayers had on his business. He triumphed over the negative viewpoints of others and gives full credit to those that pushed him to be an even better version of himself. It isn't often the IRS is praised in print by someone they threatened to shut down! It is a testament to Longaberger's belief in himself, his people and the American Dream that his story is in print as an example to all of us on how to be the best person we can be. That success followed his years of trial is the icing on the cake. I'm glad to say I feel I know this man after reading his story. Share it with anyone you know that believes that good prevails, kindness breeds kindness and the American Dream is for all of us.

GREAT book! Even if you are not a Basket fan, there are wonderful business tips in this book! All too many businesses don't thrive because their focus is on themselves, this book offers a different perspective. Success comes from concentrating and focusing on others first. It shows us that success is a journey requiring integrity, belief in your dream, good old-fashioned hard work and the ability to learn from your failures. It is inspiring to see someone as Dave Longaberger succeed and gives you confidence that you too can succeed. A must for any business owner!

As a former grade school teacher, I can relate to the inspiring story Dave Longaberger has to tell. He truly is an American Success Story. After all, how many people do you know that spent 3 extra years in grade school and still managed to rise above their expectations and succeed at this level? I recommend this book to everyone who has contact with children, especially those who are having a difficult time at school. It is a wonderful reminder to everyone that you never can tell what a child is capable of becoming!

... I've read this book and I couldn't put it down! This book is about a man who worked hard for his success. A man who was sincere in everything he did. If you have ever thought things happen to certain people because their lucky then you have to read this book. He worked hard for his success and he also tells how anyone can achieve the same. What a wonderful, inspiring story. This book is for ANYONE, whether you like baskets or not. Conquered world peace or hunger...haven't read about anyone that has, but his company has and continues to generously donate Millions of dollars to wonderful causes one of which is Breast Cancer. Anyone who has lost a loved one or knows of someone who has Breast Cancer will tell you what a important cause this is! If you read the book, you'll find out what a generous man he was and I'm sure you'll laugh a lot too! Happy Reading!

Incredible story about this man. Fast, entertaining and very enlightening read! Dave Longaberger is a man with principles as well as a extraordinary business man. (Terms rarely used together these days.) A man who came from humble beginnings to become a unbelievably successful man. A man whose MAPLE HANDMADE BASKETS, NOT WICKER, put him at the top of the industry! (Editor needs to re-read this book)

I cannot give this book enough praise. The author goes into full detail of the things that he struggled with as well as his success stories.

He also shares his 18 Management Principles that can be used in any business.

When I first saw the book, I thought I don't want to read a book about baskets, but I am sure glad that I did purchase this book. It was the type of book that was very difficult to put down and you wanted to read every word.

Here is an excerpt I would like to share, "First, when you compete, don't focus on the compeition, instead, focus on how well you can do. Second, no matter what you sell, you're always selling yourself. Third, do't give up when people don't buy. After all, nobody sells 'em all."