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Frank Woolworth's Five-And-Dime Dreams Paid Off Create Your Niche: Onetime farm boy became a big-time businessman by recalling what it was like to count his pennies.(LEADERS & SUCCESS)(BEST OF LEADERS & SUCCESS)
Byline: CURT SCHLEIER
Frank Winfield Woolworth wanted more than anything else to become a retailer -- so much so that he did it without pay.
Woolworth (1852-1919), who grew up on a farm in Great Bend, N.Y., earned a certificate in bookkeeping in 1872 just so he could become a storekeeper.
In March 1873, he found an opening at a dry goods store in Watertown, N.Y., but discovered he'd be paid nothing for six months. Store owner William Moore said Woolworth was lucky he didn't have to pay him a tuition fee to learn the business.
Woolworth believed in looking at the long-term picture. He decided the position was his best shot at getting off the farm and starting a life in retail trade. He took the job gladly.
Growing up, he'd read and reread a biography of his idol, Napoleon Bonaparte, and believed the only way to succeed was to stick to his guns. He took a chance and told Moore he could afford to apprentice for only three months before being paid. Moore agreed.
It was the beginning Woolworth had long worked toward.
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