Philadelphia Freedom and The Merchant Prince
Historic Philadelphia. The Cradle of Liberty...So many stories I've read and heard about this place. And today I got to experience one of those stories up close. The legendary Wanamaker building.
Speaking this morning in the Crystal Tea Room (the top floor of the building), an amazing sprawling antique auditorium of a room with giant pillars, complete with chandeliers and a number of smaller rooms around its perimeter. Macy's is a just couple floors below. How fitting, since this building is the namesake and tribute to one of the most amazing individual's Philly, or America, has known. Especially when it comes to business. John Wanamaker, a brilliant entrepreneur nicknamed the Merchant Prince. He was a powerful and innovative businessman who contributed greatly to various cities and communities...then and now.
He developed the department store concept and the "one-price" system, first inaugurated by him in 1865 was one of many marketing and selling strategies that attracted customers in droves and set his business apart as the hub of center city Philadelphia. By 1899 his stores had higher sales numbers than any other retailer in the world and his worth topped $25 million (that's a BIG number in 1899)!
Thanks to Ron, Liz, Joleen, and the BCA team for all your hospitality. And for the cool history lesson on one of my favorite Captains of Enterprise. If you want to learn more about Wanamaker, get a tremendous little book called Maxims of Life and Business: John Wanamaker "Merchant Prince" at www.ExecutiveBooks.com
Speaking this morning in the Crystal Tea Room (the top floor of the building), an amazing sprawling antique auditorium of a room with giant pillars, complete with chandeliers and a number of smaller rooms around its perimeter. Macy's is a just couple floors below. How fitting, since this building is the namesake and tribute to one of the most amazing individual's Philly, or America, has known. Especially when it comes to business. John Wanamaker, a brilliant entrepreneur nicknamed the Merchant Prince. He was a powerful and innovative businessman who contributed greatly to various cities and communities...then and now.
He developed the department store concept and the "one-price" system, first inaugurated by him in 1865 was one of many marketing and selling strategies that attracted customers in droves and set his business apart as the hub of center city Philadelphia. By 1899 his stores had higher sales numbers than any other retailer in the world and his worth topped $25 million (that's a BIG number in 1899)!
Thanks to Ron, Liz, Joleen, and the BCA team for all your hospitality. And for the cool history lesson on one of my favorite Captains of Enterprise. If you want to learn more about Wanamaker, get a tremendous little book called Maxims of Life and Business: John Wanamaker "Merchant Prince" at www.ExecutiveBooks.com
Labels: Merchant Prince, Philadelphia Freedom
