A Daily Dose of the
American Dream
"One Minute Success Stories"
by Alan C. Elliott
February 9
Marion Laboratories
" Those who apply themselves unswervingly to a task are amply rewarded. " :Ewing M. Kauffman
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Ewing M. Kauffman had been described as "too friendly, too eager to accept challenges." This poor Missouri farm boy decided from the start that when a task is at hand - he had better give it his all. He was giving his all in every sport at age 11, when in 1908 he was struck with a severe illness that left him with a faulty heart valve. The doctor prescribed a year in bed, flat on his back. He could not leave his bed for any reason, not even sit up. For a year, Ewing did not violate his doctor's orders. However, he did not waste the time. He began devouring books at the rate of 100 per month. He read the entire Bible several times. He not only read adventures such as Tom Sawyer, he also learned astronomy, mathematics, and medicine.
After his recovery, Kauffman finished school and spent two years in junior college. He excelled in the Navy and later as a salesman with a Kansas pharmaceutical company. When he began drawing commissions higher than the president's salary, his commission was cut, and Kauffman quit and created his own business. Kauffman packaged vitamin pills at night, and sold them during the day. As he recruited employees he promised them a bright future for the company. Now that Marion Laboratories has passed $100 million in sales, those who went with him have reaped a huge reward.
CONSIDER THIS: Kauffman's philosophy has been to share with those who help create success. Are you allowing others to help you and share in your success?
This story is adapted from A Daily Dose of the American Dream, by Alan Elliott, published by Rutledge Hill Press. The book contains 366 stories, one for each day of the year.
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Contents (c) Copyright Alan C. Elliott, 1988-2008