Long before there were Office Max and Office Depot stores, there were Staples stores - and before that an vision.
Leo Kahn passed away Wednesday at age 94, but his best creation didn't happen until 1985 when he was pushing 70 - just proving that we're never too old to be creative or make a difference.
Prior to that he ran a chain of grocery stiores in the New England area.
Leo and his partner, Tom Stemberg, had been shopping at a warehouse club and noticed that many office supplies were being sold among the products offered. The idea was launched to create a big-box office supply store. There were none at the time.
Today Staples is nearly a household word - certainly among businesses it is. Just happens to be my office supply store of choice for a variety of reasons.
As if that wasn't enough, he then launched a couple brands of natural food supermarkets that were purchased by Whole Foods in 1999.
Leo should be an inspiration to all of us.
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Steve Hoffacker - Consultant, Coach, Author, Blogger, Photographer, Motivator, Teacher, & Strategist - for Realtors, Real Estate Sales Professionals, Home Builders, New Home Salespeople, Entrepreneurs, Small Business Owners, and Independent Sales Representatives.
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