Man reflects on half century in furniture business

An indisputable expert after spending 53 years in the furniture and flooring business, the most important piece of business advice Dennis Stanfordcan offer has nothing to do with interior furnishings.

"I put people ahead of income," Stanford said as he was preparing for his last couple of weeks before retirement. "Care more about the customer than the money, and you will be very successful."

Stanford whose last day of work at Furniture Mart on Main Streetwill be Dec. 31 showed off that philosophy last week as he greeted someone who walked into the store. It was impossible to know if this was a customer or a friend until the conversation switched from friendly banter to talk of flooring.

"All of his customers become friends with him," said Anita Wald, the store manager who has worked with Stanford for 20 years. "He's just got a good way with people, and makes sure everyone is taken care of."

Stanford, 72, started his career with Fischer Furniture in 1961 as a 19-year-old working on delivery and installation.

"I set out to go to college, but it turned out I didn't have enough money so I got a job," Stanford said.

He continued to work in installation until 1964 when he returned from basic training for the Army National Guard.

"I had a boss at that time that said, 'Dennis, you're either going to the sales floor or you're not going to work here anymore.' So I said OK."

He credits his success to several great mentors, excellent on-the-job training, and his own drive to become better at his job by taking sales courses and reading books on sales like those by Dale Carnegie.

The company changed ownership and buildings over the years, including once due to the historic flood of 1972. Stanford rolled with change, focusing on taking great care of the customers and people he worked with, and ended up at his current position as director of business development at Freed's Fine Furnishings Furniture Mart in 2001.

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Man reflects on half century in furniture business