James Cash Penney Biography

James Cash Penney, Businessman
Born asJames Cash Penney, Jr.
Occup.Businessman
FromUSA
BornSeptember 16, 1875
Hamilton, Missouri, U.S.
DiedFebruary 12, 1971
New York City, New York, U.S.
Aged95 years
James Cash Penney, typically referred to as J.C. Penney, was born upon September 16, 1875, in Hamilton, Missouri. He was an American businessman known as the owner of J.C. Penney Stores, a popular chain store established in the very early 20th century in the United States.

Penney was elevated on a ranch in Missouri where his dad, James Cash Penney Sr., a Baptist minister, and his mommy, Mary Frances Penney (née Paxton), instilled in him the worths of hard work and also a solid ethical compass. He participated in the Hamilton Public Schools and afterwards started operating at a local general store when he was 14, where he created a strong rate of interest in retail and also style retailing.

In 1898, Penney relocated west to Colorado to boost his health, as suggested by his medical professional. He worked at J.M. Hale and Brothers dry products shop in Denver and after that in Evanston, Wyoming. In 1902, he was hired as a store supervisor by Golden Rule, a chain of completely dry items stores established by Thomas Callahan and Guy Johnson. The partners used Penney a one-third ownership in their Kemmerer, Wyoming, shop, where he concentrated on client service as well as fair rates.

With the success of the very first shop, Penney expanded and assisted open up 2 even more Golden Rule shops in Idaho as well as Utah, ultimately possessing one-third risks in them. Not satisfied with being simply a partner, he got Callahan as well as Johnson in 1907 and developed a chain of Golden Rule stores.

On April 14, 1909, Penney integrated the "James Cash Penney Company Comprehensive Benefits Plan" and right after, the headquarters were moved to Salt Lake City, Utah. With proceeded success, the business increased to 34 stores in the West, making use of the Golden Rule teaching of reasonable as well as sincere taking care of clients, providers, and also workers.

In 1913, Penney included the company under the brand-new name, "J.C. Penney Stores Company", and introduced the brand's business logo design. The headquarters were transferred once again to New York City to help with much easier acquiring from eastern producers. By the 1920s, J.C. Penney Stores had branches in almost every state as well as became a true across the country store.

The firm thrived, however the Great Depression brought about monetary struggles for Penney. He was compelled to market his individual assets to stay clear of bankruptcy as well as even suffered an anxious breakdown at the height of the situation. Despite these setbacks, Penney continued to be committed to his service as well as its principles, at some point reconstructing the firm as well as its success.

Throughout his lifetime, Penney was committed to philanthropy and was involved in numerous companies, consisting of the Penney Retirement Community in Florida, the Memorial Home Community in Missouri, and also the J.C. Penney Foundation. In 1920, he established the James Cash Penney Award, which honors staff members for their phenomenal service to the firm.

James Cash Penney passed away on February 12, 1971, at the age of 95. His tradition is still really felt today as the creator of one of the United States' most famous retail chains as well as a prominent figure in American business history.

Our collection contains 47 quotes who is written / told by James.

Related authors: Guy Johnson (American), Ice T (Musician), Lawrence Taylor (Athlete)

James Cash Penney Famous Works:
Source / external links:

47 Famous quotes by James Cash Penney

Small: The keystone of successful business is cooperation. Friction retards progress
"The keystone of successful business is cooperation. Friction retards progress"
Small: It is the service we are not obliged to give that people value most
"It is the service we are not obliged to give that people value most"
Small: Honor bespeaks worth. Confidence begets trust. Service brings satisfaction. Cooperation proves the qual
"Honor bespeaks worth. Confidence begets trust. Service brings satisfaction. Cooperation proves the quality of leadership"
Small: Theory is splendid but until put into practice, it is valueless
"Theory is splendid but until put into practice, it is valueless"
Small: Selling is our No. 1 job. Never get away from selling a lot of merchandise personally. The more you sel
"Selling is our No. 1 job. Never get away from selling a lot of merchandise personally. The more you sell the more you learn"
Small: I cannot remember a time when the Golden Rule was not my motto and precept, the torch that guided my fo
"I cannot remember a time when the Golden Rule was not my motto and precept, the torch that guided my footsteps"
Small: Too many would-be executives are slaves of routine
"Too many would-be executives are slaves of routine"
Small: The five separate fingers are five independent units. Close them and the fist multiplies strength. This
"The five separate fingers are five independent units. Close them and the fist multiplies strength. This is organization"
Small: Success will always be measured by the extent to which we serve the buying public
"Success will always be measured by the extent to which we serve the buying public"
Small: Salesmanship is limitless. Our very living is selling. We are all salespeople
"Salesmanship is limitless. Our very living is selling. We are all salespeople"
Small: Do not primarily train men to work. Train them to serve willingly and intelligently
"Do not primarily train men to work. Train them to serve willingly and intelligently"
Small: Courteous treatment will make a customer a walking advertisement
"Courteous treatment will make a customer a walking advertisement"
Small: As a rule, we find what we look for we achieve what we get ready for
"As a rule, we find what we look for; we achieve what we get ready for"
Small: The art of effective listening is essential to clear communication, and clear communication is necessar
"The art of effective listening is essential to clear communication, and clear communication is necessary to management success"
Small: Change is vital, improvement the logical form of change
"Change is vital, improvement the logical form of change"
Small: It is always the start that requires the greatest effort
"It is always the start that requires the greatest effort"
Small: I believe a man is better anchored who has a belief in the Supreme Being
"I believe a man is better anchored who has a belief in the Supreme Being"
Small: Growth is never by mere chance it is the result of forces working together
"Growth is never by mere chance; it is the result of forces working together"
Small: Luck is always the last refuge of laziness and incompetence
"Luck is always the last refuge of laziness and incompetence"
Small: I never trust an executive who tends to pass the buck. Nor would I want to deal with him as a customer
"I never trust an executive who tends to pass the buck. Nor would I want to deal with him as a customer or a supplier"
Small: Theres no better friend to any merchant than a fair competitor
"There's no better friend to any merchant than a fair competitor"
Small: There has never been a time when a career in the Penney Company was not a challenge that brought out th
"There has never been a time when a career in the Penney Company was not a challenge that brought out the best in a man"
Small: The well-satisfied customer will bring the repeat sale that counts
"The well-satisfied customer will bring the repeat sale that counts"
Small: Salesmanship, too, is an art the perfection of its technique requires study and practice
"Salesmanship, too, is an art; the perfection of its technique requires study and practice"
Small: No business can succeed in any great degree without being properly organized
"No business can succeed in any great degree without being properly organized"
Small: My definition of an executives job is brief and to the point. It is simply this: Getting things done th
"My definition of an executive's job is brief and to the point. It is simply this: Getting things done through other people"
Small: I do not believe in excuses. I believe in hard work as the prime solvent of lifes problems
"I do not believe in excuses. I believe in hard work as the prime solvent of life's problems"
Small: No matter what his position or experience in life, there is in everyone more latent than developed abil
"No matter what his position or experience in life, there is in everyone more latent than developed ability; far more unused than used power"
Small: Men are not great or small because of their material possessions. They are great or small because of wh
"Men are not great or small because of their material possessions. They are great or small because of what they are"
Small: It was always my practice to train salespeople under my direct supervision, and to treat children with
"It was always my practice to train salespeople under my direct supervision, and to treat children with the utmost consideration"
Small: I believe in trusting men, not only once but twice - in giving a failure another chance
"I believe in trusting men, not only once but twice - in giving a failure another chance"
Small: Clock watchers never seem to be having a good time
"Clock watchers never seem to be having a good time"
Small: A stores best advertisement is the service its goods render, for upon such service rest the future, the
"A store's best advertisement is the service its goods render, for upon such service rest the future, the good-will, of an organization"
Small: The greatest teacher I know is the job itself
"The greatest teacher I know is the job itself"
Small: Responsibilities are given to him on whom trust rests. Responsibility is always a sign of trust
"Responsibilities are given to him on whom trust rests. Responsibility is always a sign of trust"
Small: No serious-minded man should have time for the mediocre in any phase of his living
"No serious-minded man should have time for the mediocre in any phase of his living"
Small: No company can afford not to move forward. It may be at the top of the heap today but at the bottom of
"No company can afford not to move forward. It may be at the top of the heap today but at the bottom of the heap tomorrow, if it doesn't"
Small: Exchange ideas frequently
"Exchange ideas frequently"
Small: Every man must decide for himself whether he shall master his world or be mastered by it
"Every man must decide for himself whether he shall master his world or be mastered by it"
Small: Determine to do some thinking for yourself. Dont live entirely upon the thoughts of others. Dont be an
"Determine to do some thinking for yourself. Don't live entirely upon the thoughts of others. Don't be an automaton"
Small: The problem with the bronco is to get on and stay on. This is the problem with the Golden Rule-to under
"The problem with the bronco is to get on and stay on. This is the problem with the Golden Rule-to understand and apply"
Small: The men who have furnished me with my greatest inspiration have not been men of wealth, but men of deed
"The men who have furnished me with my greatest inspiration have not been men of wealth, but men of deeds"
Small: The best teamwork comes from men who are working independently toward one goal in unison
"The best teamwork comes from men who are working independently toward one goal in unison"
Small: A merchant who approaches business with the idea of serving the public well has nothing to fear from th
"A merchant who approaches business with the idea of serving the public well has nothing to fear from the competition"
Small: The thought in my mind was that I must be a good merchant. If I were a good merchant, the rest would pr
"The thought in my mind was that I must be a good merchant. If I were a good merchant, the rest would probably take care of itself"
Small: I was long brought up to think that it was nothing short of a crime to miss a sale
"I was long brought up to think that it was nothing short of a crime to miss a sale"
Small: The disciplined are free
"The disciplined are free"