Imagine moving to a new town and
opening up a brand new business while raising five kids under the age of
10. Starting in the grocery business, my
grandfather was nowhere near the success he has today. At the age of 84, he still goes into work
everyday both in the office and on the floor. Being his granddaughter, I see
everything that he has put into his business and family, and to both he gives
everything he can. Today I would like to
take a moment to praise my grandfather Norm by showing you some of his
qualities that truly make him one of my role models.
Brave – Starting any business at a
young age means being in debt until it actually starts to grow. My grandfather, like I mentioned earlier,
bought a run down grocery store on Vashon Island in 1965 that practically
nobody shopped at. It was his dream to
have his own business, and so he made his dream a reality at the mere age of
30. He was brave to buy such a business
with the risk that it might fail. On top
of it, he did it while raising a family with my grandmother and 5
children. To this day, he is continually
making major changes to the business – remodels, upgrades and competitive
pricing, all of which he could take the safe route, but is willing to take the
risk it if means potential greatness for the business.
Devoted – Without this quality, my
grandfather could not have made his grocery store the success it is today. He is still daily going in to Vashon
Thriftway with his white collared shirt, red plaid tie and red, sometimes teal
cardigan that he is known for. Even with 3 knee replacements, grandpa Norm is
still stocking shelves and helping customers, even when he is on his way to go
home. There is no job at what my family
calls ‘the store’ that is too menial for him.
On top of all he does for the
business, he still takes time for all of his family. He and my grandma made it to most of my high
school volleyball games, and the same with all my siblings sporting events that
were on Vashon. With 7 grandkids, there
are too many hours to count of his time he gave to us! And if 60 years married to a women who,
ironically enough, he met at a grocery store, isn’t devotion, then I don’t know
what is! In the summer, he will daily bring roses in for my grandma. He still washes her car every week, even
though she will go weeks without driving it.
Giving – Whether it’s the
Graduating Class of 2012 or Vashon Island Pet Protectors, my grandpa never
hesitates to give out of his pocket. If
an employee is ever struggling, he is the first one to help them out in
whatever way possible. That is one of
the biggest things I admire about him, the way he gives to his employees. Being an employee at the store, I see how
much he gives to each employee, and not even talking monetarily. He always gives anyone his time that needs
it. He even has Seattle Mariners Season
tickets that he gives to different employees, barely ever using the tickets
himself. My grandpa is the type of
person who even though strives to keep his business growing; he still looks to
support other small businesses on Vashon too.
When the Liquor law was passed that grocery stores could start selling
liquor, it was his decision to opt out of selling it because he didn’t want to
intrude on the locally owned Liquor store. My grandpa has given his time and
dedication to our country too. He served
in the Coast Guard for many years, and for as long as I been around, only buys
American cars. He gives so much to my
family and relatives; it’s hard to put in words the extent of which he has
helped us throughout the years.
Personally, I would not be here at Northwest without my grandparents. Because of his hard work, he is able to give
so much, and not because he has to, but because it is the desire of heart to
give. He is so giving that he still
feeds the birds every single morning!
My grandpa Norm is the utmost
example of these qualities. Brave in being a young entrepreneur, devoted to his
family and his business, and giving to anyone who needs it. My grandpa is so much more than these three attributes
but I don’t have all day. He is truly a
man who I look up to and can say, I want to be like him when I get older. My grandfather is the reason why I myself
want to go in to the business field, and maybe pursue a career in the grocery
business! Whatever I end up doing, I
know he will be proud of me. But this is
my turn to tell you, grandpa, how proud I am of you.
