Born on March 29th, 1918 in Kingfisher, Oklahoma, Walton lived in a family where extra income was scarce, since he was growing up during the Great Depression. Throughout his life, even when he became a sucessfull businessman, he kept hold of his high value of a dollar. Sam's brother, Bud Walton, once said "People can't understand why we're still so conservative. They make a big deal about Sam being a billionaire and driving an old pickup truck or buying his clothes at Walmart or refusing to fly first class. It's just the way we were brought up."
He was the first son of Thomas Walton and Nancy Lee. His family moved to Columbia, Missouri where he was raised. Sam has been working hard since he was seven, when he started selling magazine subscriptions, rabbits, and pigeons. He continued his paper routes all the way threw college. Walton was a bright student and a talented athlete. He was quarterback for his high school football team. Sam Walton wanted to go to college, and paid for it by himself. By hiring a few people to help him deliver newspapers on long routes, he made about $5,000 each year. He also waited tables in exchange for meals. Walton was never sure about what he wanted to do for a living. He considered selling insurance, but quickly realized he wouldn't be able to afford it, so he took a job at JCPenney's out of college.
One of Walton's most important ideas was that if he gave customers a great deal, he could sell more of that product, and eventually earn a better profit. He believes that this idea was a result of his background of always spending money carefully and never paying more than he had to.
He was the first son of Thomas Walton and Nancy Lee. His family moved to Columbia, Missouri where he was raised. Sam has been working hard since he was seven, when he started selling magazine subscriptions, rabbits, and pigeons. He continued his paper routes all the way threw college. Walton was a bright student and a talented athlete. He was quarterback for his high school football team. Sam Walton wanted to go to college, and paid for it by himself. By hiring a few people to help him deliver newspapers on long routes, he made about $5,000 each year. He also waited tables in exchange for meals. Walton was never sure about what he wanted to do for a living. He considered selling insurance, but quickly realized he wouldn't be able to afford it, so he took a job at JCPenney's out of college.
One of Walton's most important ideas was that if he gave customers a great deal, he could sell more of that product, and eventually earn a better profit. He believes that this idea was a result of his background of always spending money carefully and never paying more than he had to.