Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business
Sam Walton/College

What was Sam Walton’s first job?

Walton began what would be a lifelong career in the retail business in 1940, when he took a job as a sales trainee at a J.C. Penney store in Des Moines, Iowa.

What opportunities did Sam Walton have growing up?

Sam worked all sorts of jobs including a paper route. In addition to working, Sam did well in school, was a member of the Boy Scouts, and enjoyed sports. He was a star athlete on the high school football team and was the first boy in Shelbina, Missouri to become an Eagle Scout.

What did Sam Walton do before Walmart?

In 1942, at the age of 24, he joined the military. He married Helen Robson in 1943. When his military service ended in 1945, Sam and Helen moved to Iowa and then to Newport, Arkansas. During this time, Sam gained early retail experience, eventually operating his own variety store.

Where did Sam Walton go to college at?

Walton graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in economics (1940) and entered a J.C. Penney Company management training program in Des Moines, Iowa.

What kind of skills did Sam Walton have?

“Sam was highly skilled at building relationships—creating strong, shared objectives with others. It’s a skill that you can learn and master, whether you are an extrovert or an introvert. […] Sam most likely mastered relationship building by deliberately practicing with people to whom he wanted to get closer.

How much money did Sam Walton make in a year?

In 1945, Walton had purchased a Ben Franklin variety store and set up a five-year personal goal to make it the most profitable variety store in the region. By 1950, Walton had a record $250,000 in sales and $30,000 to $40,000 in profit (some $2.5 million in sales and $300,000 to $400,000 in profits in today’s dollars.)

When did Sam Walton open his first variety store?

In 1945, after leaving the military, Walton took over management of his first variety store at the age of 26. With the help of a $20,000 loan from his father-in-law, plus $5,000 he had saved from his time in the Army, Walton purchased a Ben Franklin variety store in Newport, Arkansas. The store was a franchise of the Butler Brothers chain.