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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
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Sam Walton: Made in America summary
Sam Walton with John Huey
My Story
16 mins
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Sam Walton: Made in America by Sam Walton with John Huey is the story of the man who created Walmart. It details his life and business strategies that transformed a single store into the largest retailer in the world.
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Sam Walton: Made in America
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Growing up during the Great Depression, Sam Walton learned the value of hard work.
Sam Walton was born in 1918, to a lower-class family in Kingfisher, Oklahoma. The Waltons didn’t have much but Sam’s parents made sure he was taken care of.
Sam’s father, Thomas, was an honest and hard-working man who took many different jobs in order to provide for his family. Due to his sense of pride, he refused to take on any loans or debt, which meant he was never able to start his own business. Sam Walton understood this, and he would later use a loan to help start his own store.
On the other hand, Sam’s mother, Nan, was quite the entrepreneur, often coming up with ideas to help the family earn extra money.
During the Great Depression in the late 1920s and early 1930s, Nan started a small milk business: Sam would milk the cows, his mother would bottle it and Sam would go out and deliver the milk to neighborhood customers.
These childhood experiences made Sam Walton realize at an early age that he would have to work hard to earn his keep.
Inspired by his mother’s efforts to bring in money for the family, Walton got his first job when he was just eight years old. He started by selling magazine subscriptions around the neighborhood, and by 7th grade he was out on his bike delivering newspapers.
He continued to earn money as he worked his way toward becoming a college graduate. Walton even hired assistants, expanding his paper route into a small business that made around $5,000 a year.
All of these experiences taught the young Sam Walton an important lesson: hard work pays off.
So, by the time Walton was 27 years old and preparing to start his first business venture, he already knew that in order to be successful and get ahead in the world, one had to be willing to put in the effort.
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What is Sam Walton: Made in America about?
Made in America (1992) tells the inspirational rags-to-riches story of Sam Walton, the founder of Walmart, one of the biggest companies in the world. Find out how Walton used a customer-first approach to turn a small variety store into a global business empire and how a poor boy from Oklahoma went on to become one of the richest people in the world.
Sam Walton: Made in America Review
Sam Walton: Made in America (1992) is a captivating memoir that shares the journey of the legendary Walmart founder and offers valuable business insights. Here's why this book is worth your time:
- It provides a firsthand account of Sam Walton's rise to success, offering valuable lessons on entrepreneurship and leadership.
- Packed with practical advice and business strategies, the book offers a wealth of knowledge for aspiring entrepreneurs and business professionals.
- The book's down-to-earth storytelling and anecdotes make it relatable and interesting, shedding light on the challenges and triumphs of building a retail empire.
Who should read Sam Walton: Made in America?
- Executives interested in tips on successful business practices
- Entrepreneurs looking for insight on how to grow a business
- Anyone wanting an inspirational story of an American dream come true
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Sam Walton: Made in America FAQs
What is the main message of Sam Walton: Made in America?
The main message of Sam Walton: Made in America is the success story of Sam Walton and his innovative business strategies.
How long does it take to read Sam Walton: Made in America?
The estimated reading time for Sam Walton: Made in America is several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Sam Walton: Made in America a good book? Is it worth reading?
Sam Walton: Made in America is worth reading for its insightful account of Sam Walton's journey and the valuable lessons it offers for entrepreneurs.
Who is the author of Sam Walton: Made in America?
The author of Sam Walton: Made in America is Sam Walton with John Huey.
What to read after Sam Walton: Made in America?
If you're wondering what to read next after Sam Walton: Made in America, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Walmart by Natalie Berg and Bryan Roberts
- Sol Price by Robert E. Price
- Built to Last by Jim Collins
- How to Win at the Sport of Business by Mark Cuban
- The Everything Store by Brad Stone
- The Black Swan by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
- ReWork by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson
- Poor Charlie's Almanack by Peter D. Kaufman
- Pour Your Heart Into It by Howard Schultz and Dori Jones Yang
- The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod