Feb. 18 Entrepreneur Goes Rags To Riches
Back on Feb. 18, 1977 consumers were delighted to finally be able to go shopping at a brick and mortar store for a computer, thanks to an entrepreneur who made it happen.
Launch Of The ComputerLand Franchise
It was on this day that IMSAI founder Bill Millard decided to launch a franchise operation of computer retail stores. Bill liked the name Computer Shack, but had to change it because of a lawsuit claiming it sounded similar to Radio Shack. So the name was changed to ComputerLand and opened its first franchise store on South Street in Morristown, New Jersey, on February 18, 1977.
ComputerLand grew quickly and became the largest computer retailer by the mid-1980s. Its peak growth was approximately 800 stores in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Japan.
Finally
Finally computers were available for the daily user. For those who were looking for an IBM personal computer this was the store to shop because ComputerLand was the first store to sell IBM personal computers.
Rags To Riches Entrepreneur
Unfortunately the ComputerLand venture was undercapitalized and ceased operation in 2000. However, its founder William H. Millard, was a rags-to-riches entrepreneur. While growing up, he delivered newspapers, worked as a drugstore clerk, worked as a Southern Pacific switchman, an assembly line worker, a truck driver, and a welder’s helper. But he got a life altering opportunity that led to change.
With a few semesters in college, he became a loan officer for a finance company in Oakland and eventually become branch manager. In 1958 he transferred to the bank’s electronic data-processing facility. He found a passion – computers. In 1975 he invented one of the first personal computers, the IMSAI 8080. It didn’t go anywhere because of competition, but it gave Bill a new vision: to open a franchise to sell other Brands. And the dream lived on!
It Takes a Vision Then Effort
Bill’s story is inspiring. He started from nothing, ground zero. But he had a dream, an entrepreneur spirit and a work ethic.
Is that how you feel about your journey as an Online Business Entrepreneur? We all have inspiring stories to tell about our Online Businesses and they are still being written.
What will your Online Business write about you today?
Recent Comments
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Great inspiring story. As you stated, it takes a vision and effort to write the story of success. I would also add that success is a journey and not just a destination. We win every day in planning, preparation, and practices. It is one article a day, a comment on other's articles, and offering site evaluations.
Thank you for the inspiration.
Regards,
Glad the story inspired you. Thanks for you thought! You are absolutely right It is an every journey.
Enjoy your journey today.
I’m surprised that I don’t remember Computerland. But, I was living in the wilds of northern Ontario during that period of time. It’s just amazing how things have come and gone. I think I mentioned previously that I bought several dozen omega computers during that time not aware that the IBM desktop thing or that kind of computer will take off. We learn as we go.
Truthfully I don't remember ComputerLand either. I had to do some research. We never used the Omega but we did the IBM.
Interesting history and its by day not year..
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Thanks guys, this is indeed an inspiring story to learn about.
Not gonna tell my whole life story here, but I do have some similarities to Bill Millard-simply in that I've done almost every kinda job out there-I'm now 40yrs old, and have worked at least 45 different companies thus far.
Current job Im in, working for the hospital, has been my longest ever-coming up 6 yrs in a few months! But certainly hoping this will be my last 'job' which I hope to be able to replace with my online business ventures.
Thanks again guys, hope all is well with you both.
:Thank you so much for sharing.
You have a lot of great experience background to relate to and understand people.
We are doing very well. Thank you for asking.
We do wish you an entrepreneur success in your online business.
Thanks guys, and same to you. Wishing you all the absolute best with your ventures.
Yeah I guess having served LITERALLY thousands and thousands of customers throughout my life, I have developed a bit of a knack for reading people well etc, which does come in handy.
This website stuff still very much a work in progress for me, still fully trying to get wheels off the ground yet...will get there.
All the best.