George W. Jenkins,
the founder of Publix Supermarket, was a hard working American businessman and
philanthropist. George was born in 1907 in Warm Springs, Georgia and was one of
eight Children to his Father who owned a general store. George worked in his
Fathers store till the age of 14, which was around the time when the shop closed
to bankruptcy, due to a lack of crops. At the age of 17, George was working a
lot of odd Jobs and eventually ended up in Tampa, Florida working at the Piggly
Wiggly. Within five weeks of the Job, George was promoted to store manager, as
a reward for all his hard work. Later George was rewarded again and given more responsibility
by getting a promotion at the Piggly Wiggly’s biggest store in Winter Heaven.
Four years after his promotion, the Florida boom collapsed and his store began
to fail. Eventually, the Piggly Wiggly chain sold out and George left the
company. After leaving the Piggly Wiggly, George opened his own grocery store in
Winter Haven in 1930. From then on his store flourished, growing into one of
America’s largest grocery chains. Not only did George just develop a incredibly
successful business but he also started, with his own stock, a charitable
foundation that works to enhance the communities located around his stores; His
charity today known as The Publix Supermarket Charities. He was a benefactor to
many charitable funds and was very dedicated to improving communities. Jenkins
is a wonderful inspiration. He stayed strong and worked extra hard during tough
times, making for himself a successful life and career; but also giving back to
those who help support his successful life, the customers; the community.
In my economic studies, there is this system called the HUNT
that shows the common characteristics that successful entrepreneurs share. The
H in HUNT stands for harnessing your vision; this is the time where you must
think about your idea and what it will take to accomplish it. The U in HUNT is
for Underestimating the road blocks. You must prevent barriers from stalling
you action. The N in HUNT stands for Network; you must find and put yourself
with people who can help make your vision possible. And lastly we have the T in
HUNT which stands for Taking the first step. Taking the first step maybe the most
difficult, but it’s what gets you started and will give you confidence to take
the step after that. George W. Jenkins to followed these HUNT steps. George put
much thought into his idea, he underestimated the roadblocks, when even though
he didn’t have much money he still went out to fulfill his dream; not letting
cash be the barrier that stopped him. George surrounded himself with great
associates that helped to make his idea grow. He took the first step to
becoming a successful entrepreneur by opening his first supermarket in Winter
Haven.
Works Cited:
George W. – Welcome to Publix Super Market Inc., Retrieved February
15, 2013:
New York Times, George W. Jenkins dies-88-$9 billion grocery
chain, Retrieved February 15, 2013: http://www.nytimes.com/1996/04/10/us/george-jenkins-88-founder-of-9-billion-grocery-chain.html
Great job!! Mrs. D
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