Although many businesspeople may not yet be familiar with Dave Longaberger and the hugely successful basket company that bears his name, they probably should be. The story of the man and his enterprise, as told in Longaberger: An American Success Story, is as informative and inspiring as any likely to pass their way. In fact, this plainspoken memoir--prepared with business writer Robert Shook shortly before Longaberger's death from cancer in 1999--ought to be required for all entrepreneurs who think they really know what makes the business world go round.

In its pages, Longaberger candidly relates how he first learned to share and do his part as one of 12 children in a small house in tiny Dresden, Ohio--and how seemingly major drawbacks like epilepsy, stuttering, learning disabilities, and lack of a college education never deterred him. He tells how he kicked off his entrepreneurial career with a restaurant and grocery-drugstore before opening the basket company in 1973 as a part-time family affair, and how its workforce ultimately grew to 8,000 while revenues hit $1 billion. Longaberger fully explains overcoming his difficulties and learning the real secrets of business by shoveling snow and toiling in a grocery store as a youngster, and then selling baked goods and working in a factory as a young man. He also shows how this knowledge, and his penchant for the unconventional, became invaluable when he went into business for himself. The story includes Longaberger's rationale for the moves he parlayed into success, and offers his specific management principles along with advice on how and why to implement them. At its heart, though, Longaberger's message is deceptively simple. "If you remember nothing else about this book," he writes, "I hope you realize that if a small-town boy like me can make it, anyone in America who's willing to work hard should be able to earn a darn good living." --Howard Rothman


From Publishers Weekly
The son of a basket-factory worker, Longaberger saw a market for fine handcrafted baskets in 1973, as the popularity of handmade crafts began to take hold. By 1999 (when Longaberger died of cancer), he had built a billion-dollar corporation employing 8,000 people. Longaberger, who graduated from high school at 21 and had learning disabilities and a severe stutter, certainly did not fit the profile of the typical CEO, yet from the evidence he was an exemplary one. He proudly proclaims that he learned about customer service and sales from driving a bread delivery route and running a restaurant and grocery store. Following his own vision, he built the company from its smalltown roots in Dresden, Ohio, at the same time that he developed a unique direct sales network. Engagingly folksy and self-deprecatingly funny, he champions facing adversity and growing stronger from it. The feel-good story of a very likable man applying his talents and making a big difference to his town and his family (he groomed his two daughters to succeed him) should engage readers on its own. Meanwhile, those searching for humane models for running a successful company will benefit from the 18 straightforward management principles that emerge from his success. As the man who believed a job should be at least 25% fun (it was a corporate policy), Longaberger, consummate salesman, also can't stop himself from saying that his favorite sport was basketball. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
Longaberger Co. is a family-run business that makes well-crafted baskets, pottery, and collectibles and has a large, intensely devoted customer base. Its corporate headquarters in central Ohio is a perfect example of the "build-it-and-they-will-come" philosophy. A $30 million seven-story "replica" of the company's classic market basket, it attracts a half-million visitors each year, who also buy the company's products in the shops and village that Longaberger built. Veteran business writer Shook helps Longaberger tell his story. Dave, who suffered from epilepsy, did not graduate from high school until he was 21. In 1973, he decided to revive his father's defunct basket business and built it into an enterprise with 7,000 employees and sales approaching $1 billion. Early on Longaberger, who died of cancer last year, brought in one of his daughters to help run the company. She had graduated from Ohio State in marketing and the two often clashed, but Longaberger had been grooming her from the start to take his place. His story emphasizes the success of his "follow-your-gut," hands-on approach to management. David Rouse
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

FROM OUR EDITORS

Dave Longaberger's life stands as a testament to the value of effort, perseverance, and integrity. Despite beginning life with a few potential disabilities, such as epilepsy and a learning disorder, Longaberger built the famous basket-making company that today bears his name. Although his company is now a billion-dollar concern, Longaberger's tale is more than standard rags-to-riches fare; after all, how often does a successful business owner write, "I was never really motivated by money"? Longaberger shares the 18 Management Principles that guided him throughout his life, and, above all, leaves readers impressed with the warmth and humanity of a truly inspirational leader.

ANNOTATION

This engaging story shows how Dave Longaberger shared his life and unconventional business sense to create what is now the $1 billion-in-sales Longaberger Company. Join him on his journey as he takes his own unique route to success. Learn about the many original and highly unusual management practices that not only contributed to thestrength of the Longaberger enterprise but can make any business run more profitably.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Dave Longaberger was one of the most remarkable entrepreneurs of his generation. His vision, his unorthodox business methods, and his belief in people resulted in the creation of one of the largest and most successful private companies in America.

Longaberger: An American Success Story is Dave's fascinating firsthand account of how he created and grew his company into the largest basket manufacturer in the United States, employing thousands of people, revitalizing his community, and inspiring everyone involved with a commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and a unique management philosophy.

As Dave himself admits in this moving and compelling memoir, he was an unlikely success story. In addition to having epilepsy and a stutter, Dave suffered from a learning disorder, finally graduating high school at the age of twenty-one. Yet, he ran two profitable businesses, a restaurant and a grocery store -- which, to the horror of bankers and friends, he then sold in order to finance his struggling basket company.

Dave was a business maverick who only let adversities make him stronger and more versatile. He became renowned for his managerial skills -- and his sense of humor. More than once he started a food fight at a company event or launched a wild idea -- like the basket-shaped headquarters building -- that just happened to work perfectly.

This engaging story shows how Dave Longaberger shared his life and unconventional business sense to create what is now the $1 billion-in-sales Longaberger Company. Join him on his journey as he takes his own unique route to success. Learn about the many original and highly unsual management practices that not only contributed to the strength of the Longaberger enterprise but can make any business run more profitably. Follow Dave's example and develop the entrepreneurial skills necessary for business success.

Longaberger: An American Success Story is an affirmation of the American values of independence, hard work, and business ethics. Inspirational as well as informative, this is a moving portrait of an enterprise and an entrepreneur, both of whom are loved and revered by the thousands of people whose lives they have enriched.

SYNOPSIS

Dave Longaberger was one of the most remarkable entrepreneurs of his generation. His vision, his unorthodox business methods, and his belief in people resulted in the creation of one of the largest and most successful private companies in America.

Longaberger: An American Success Story is Dave's fascinating firsthand account of how he created and grew his company into the largest basket manufacturer in the United States, employing thousands of people, revitalizing his community, and inspiring everyone involved with a commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and a unique management philosophy.

As Dave himself admits in this moving and compelling memoir, he was an unlikely success story. In addition to having epilepsy and a stutter, Dave suffered from a learning disorder, finally graduating high school at the age of twenty-one. Yet, he ran two profitable businesses, a restaurant and a grocery store -- which, to the horror of bankers and friends, he then sold in order to finance his struggling basket company.

Dave was a business maverick who only let adversities make him stronger and more versatile. He became renowned for his managerial skills -- and his sense of humor. More than once he started a food fight at a company event or launched a wild idea -- like the basket-shaped headquarters building -- that just happened to work perfectly.

This engaging story shows how Dave Longaberger shared his life and unconventional business sense to create what is now the $1 billion-in-sales Longaberger Company. Join him on his journey as he takes his own unique route to success. Learn about the many original and highly unusual management practices that not only contributed to thestrength of the Longaberger enterprise but can make any business run more profitably. Follow Dave's example and develop the entrepreneurial skills necessary for business success.

Longaberger: An American Success Story is an affirmation of the American values of independence, hard work, and business ethics. Inspirational as well as informative, this is a moving portrait of an enterprise and an entrepreneur, both of whom are loved and revered by the thousands of people whose lives they have enriched.

FROM THE CRITICS

Barbara Tober

A truly touching and motivational story told by a man whose values for both family and company are solid, strong and worthy of emulating.

Jennifer Read Hawthorne

Dave Longaberger's story is an enormously entertaining and touching memoir of a brilliant, colorful man's vision and blueprint for success.

E. Gordon Gee

Dave Longaberger lived the American Dream and created that Dream for many thousands. Few stories are more touching and compelling ... savor the story of humble beginnings, high ideals, and big ideas.

Publishers Weekly

The son of a basket-factory worker, Longaberger saw a market for fine handcrafted baskets in 1973, as the popularity of handmade crafts began to take hold. By 1999 (when Longaberger died of cancer), he had built a billion-dollar corporation employing 8,000 people. Longaberger, who graduated from high school at 21 and had learning disabilities and a severe stutter, certainly did not fit the profile of the typical CEO, yet from the evidence he was an exemplary one. He proudly proclaims that he learned about customer service and sales from driving a bread delivery route and running a restaurant and grocery store. Following his own vision, he built the company from its smalltown roots in Dresden, Ohio, at the same time that he developed a unique direct sales network. Engagingly folksy and self-deprecatingly funny, he champions facing adversity and growing stronger from it. The feel-good story of a very likable man applying his talents and making a big difference to his town and his family (he groomed his two daughters to succeed him) should engage readers on its own. Meanwhile, those searching for humane models for running a successful company will benefit from the 18 straightforward management principles that emerge from his success. As the man who believed a job should be at least 25% fun (it was a corporate policy), Longaberger, consummate salesman, also can't stop himself from saying that his favorite sport was basketball. (Mar.) Forecast: The arresting jacket cover photograph of the corporate headquarters built in the form of the popular market basket is perfectly attuned to the Longaberger philosophy. The planned 25-city radio campaign and 15-city NPR syndicated feature should help draw attention to the book, resulting in a basketful of sales. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

A truly touching and motivational story told by a man whose values for both family and company are solid, strong and worthy of emulating. — (Barbara Tober, chairman, Board of Governors, American Craft Museum)

E Gordon Gee

Dave Longaberger lived the American Dream and created that Dream for many thousands. Few stories are more touching and compelling ... savor the story of humble beginnings, high ideals, and big ideas. — (E. Gordon Gee, chancellor, Vanderbilt University)