Built from Scratch
Built from Scratch
Bernie Marcus
Jamie Dimon
On Jamie Dimon's list of favorite books.
Frank Blake
Very meaningful to me, not only because it’s the story of the founding of the Home Depot, but also because of my start as the CEO of Home Depot. - Frank Blake
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Built from Scratch

Built from Scratch: How a Couple of Regular Guys Grew The Home Depot from Nothing to $30 Billion

Bernie Marcus
By
Bernie Marcus
4.0
77
ratings on Goodreads

In "Built from Scratch," Bernie Marcus and Arthur Blank share the remarkable journey of transforming a stark setback into a groundbreaking entrepreneurial adventure. Following their abrupt dismissal, a golden opportunity was unveiled through the encouragement of a friend, igniting the spark that would lead to the creation of The Home Depot. This narrative isn't merely the chronicle of a business's ascent to a retail giant with 761 stores and $30 billion in sales within two decades; it's a testament to the power of vision, determination, and an unwavering commitment to customer service and value. Through vivid anecdotes and insider stories, the book delves into the foundational philosophies that propelled The Home Depot from a fledgling startup to a market leader, all the while maintaining a deep-rooted sense of corporate social responsibility. Beyond a business success story, "Built from Scratch" serves as a playbook for aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business leaders alike, offering invaluable lessons on innovation, market leadership, and the importance of community involvement. The authors reveal the strategic moves behind bypassing middlemen to deliver unmatched savings to customers, the insights gained from industry titans like Sam Walton, and the cultural ethos that empowered associates to act decisively in times of community need. This book does more than chart the rise of a retail empire; it celebrates the spirit of innovation and the relentless pursuit of excellence that defines true entrepreneurial success.

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Released
1999
27 Apr
Length
352
Pages

2

recommendations

recommendation

Very meaningful to me, not only because it’s the story of the founding of the Home Depot, but also because of my start as the CEO of Home Depot. - Frank Blake
On Jamie Dimon's list of favorite books.
The key is not to make the sale. The key is to cultivate the customer.” At The Home Depot, cultivating the customer is much more important than creating a bottom line. We teach our associates that if you can save a customer money, do it. We’re not looking to fleece the customer. If I can save them $100, why not do it? That reflects one of our values: caring for the customer. Care for them today and they’ll be back tomorrow.
— Bernie Marcus, Built from Scratch

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