***This Is the First Day of the Rest of My Life***

[Bullitt-]

    I don't generally share many things personal but thought this was noteworthy.
As of today I am officially retired from my job of 40-years working in the appliance business. 

Things actually began 49-yrs ago when my father went to work in Huntsville as an appliance salesman (I was 10). In my teen years I would pick up a few hours here & there at the store cleaning, straightening the warehouse, eventually helping to deliver appliances for them.  After high school & a short stent in college I went to work full time in the business in the spring of '78. Along with appliance wrangling I was tapped by the owners, who had another business in Birmingham, to deliver & install automotive radios to dealers in the area which lasted about 3-years when they fell onto financial hard times and were forced to close their businesses. At that time in '81 Dad, with a loan from his older brother, purchased the Huntsville location and he proceeded to grow the business at an incredible rate through the '80s. (thanks President Reagan) I served in many roles, from sales to service manager along the way. By the end of the'80's we had a simple computer system capable of tracking our inventory and A/R. G.E. also had an on-line ordering system they were encouraging us to utilize so three of us were sent to Atlanta for two days of training but upon return I was the only one that even knew how to turn on (boot) the durn thing so I now had the responsibility of ordering a good portion of our merchandise(think I was tricked). Over the next decade or so computers & networks became a more integral part of our business's operation so by default I was involved in development, installation and maintenance of networks and systems with the help of folks in that business. My role expanded to include maintaining databases of items and pricing as well as commissions. Other manufactures introduced on-line resources for ordering while I continued to be the go to guy for anything electronic only getting mostly out from under that responsibility in the last few years but continuing in the role of ordering and data base maintenance to the end.  I had pushed for my folks to sell the business as early as '03 as they were approaching 65-yrs of age but finding anyone with the money & interest proved fruitless. The economy was not kind to us in the latter part of the '00s so about 8-yrs ago decided that rather than selling out, my uncle & younger cousin who had worked there for several years might just take over the operation.  It took a couple of years to complete the transfer of ownership but by Dec.'12 I was officially only an employee. At that time I let them know I would stay on for as long as they wanted me. Their new energy along with improvements in the economy has proved to be very positive for the business even buying/opening two more locations, meanwhile my work load had risen to the point I was having less time than ever to enjoy life outside the workplace.  A little over a year ago, with 60-coming at me like a freight train, I decided it was time they found my replacement so for months I frequently reminded them to do so. After discussions with my now  80ish parents in December I told my uncle that the time had come for me to get out & to make a decision ASAP not knowing that within a few weeks my Father would pass away. Within a couple of weeks of his passing I gave my uncle the date... April 13 would be my last day....
That's the short version LOL.

So today I begin what I believe will be a very busy & fruitful retirement   

[Timbbuc2]

Good for you, and thanks for sharing your story. I am bumping on 60 with-in 2 weeks So I need to be thinking in the same way !

[BIGSHCLUNK]

Good for you Wade.    If you get bored I can always use a little help around the shop. You young guys sheeeese.

[RUNCHARGER]

Interesting story. Congrats and enjoy your free time.

[one bad fish]

Great story and thanks for sharing. I believe a lot of us here are pushing the age of 60, myself included.

[purple1]

Congratulations Wade! Hope every thing works out for you. 

[anlauto]

Curious as to why you didn't buy the company from your Dad in 03 ? or did you already own a part of it ?

Great story by the way

[Cuda Cody]

I'm super excited for you!!!  Hope you enjoy this great time in your life.    

[ToxicWolf]

Thank you for the great story ... and welcome to what is turning out to be the best part of my life ... RETIREMENT! 

[Bullitt-]

Curious as to why you didn't buy the company from your Dad in 03 ? or did you already own a part of it ?

   Personalty is the way I see it..  I'm am an only child so by by default it was mine but unlike my Dad I'm not a people person.. As you can tell my role was in the background mostly greasing the wheels.  I could not see having the responsibility of dealing with all the BS business owners have to put up with.     
   I think by any measure I've had a good life because of the business yet I can't say I was really happy doing it.. I should have been a mechanic or something where I didn't have to deal with people so much ..

[anlauto]

Pretty honest answer...thanks for sharing ....now get on with RETIREMENT !

[Jay Bee]

That was an awesome read, thanks for sharing. Congratulations on a great career and all the best for a super retirement.

I especially loved the part about being "tricked".  Where I worked (retired too) if you showed competence in something it was your responsibility for life.

[Spikedog08]

That's great news Wade!  Congratulations!   

[BIGSHCLUNK]

Curious as to why you didn't buy the company from your Dad in 03 ? or did you already own a part of it ?

   Personalty is the way I see it..  I'm am an only child so by by default it was mine but unlike my Dad I'm not a people person.. As you can tell my role was in the background mostly greasing the wheels.  I could not see having the responsibility of dealing with all the BS business owners have to put up with.     
   I think by any measure I've had a good life because of the business yet I can't say I was really happy doing it.. I should have been a mechanic or something where I didn't have to deal with people so much ..

Wise words here for sure...looks like you had lots of the perks w/o all the headaches. Altho being an owner is good... many times its a real PITA. Trust me on that one

[bluespruce]

Enjoy your retirement