"Somehow over the years, folks have gotten the impression that Wal-Mart was something I dreamed up out of the blue as a middle-aged man, and that it was just this great idea that turned into an overnight success ... Like most other overnight successes, it was about 20 years in the making."
As we come to the end of the series on Sam Walton, it's important to understand the foundation laid in his life before he ever started the company.
As he said, Wal-Mart (WMT) wasn't something he suddenly dreamt up out of the blue, or an overnight success, rather, it was a process that began when he was a young man who for whatever reason thoroughly enjoyed retail as his chosen field.
It was through years of working and learning the business that gave him the insights the resulted in giving birth to Wal-Mart.
Mary Kay Ash had a similar experience in that after years in working in direct sales, she came up with the idea of starting a company based upon her experiences, while adding her personal touch to it.
All business, learning and leadership is an ongoing learning process. Many times what becomes a great company is the result of the long journey we've taken on the road to get there.
What many people consider overnight successes may have seemed to come out of nowhere, but in truth, they are the result of a series of events, in many cases over years, that result in all the pieces coming together at the right place and right time.
Sam Walton was one of those that emerged from a life of learning to launch a company that has changed the world. His success came from years spent refining his craft.
Other Sam Walton Sources:
Sam Walton: 10 Rules for Building a Successful Business
Sam Walton - Retail Success Story
Sam Walton: King Of The Discounters
Sam Walton: Great From the Start
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