Grad School Case Study 99 Cent Store Success

Grad School Case Study 99 Cent Store Success Have you ever  wondered how The 99 Cent Store started and how the company actually makes money by  charging so little?   How does the company  survive?   Is the company even  making a profit? I recently learned more about the history of the company and wanted to share it with you.   Dave Gold, the founder of  The 99 Cent Store,  decided to start this store after he found that bottles of wine sold better at 99 cents rather than 98 cents or 89 cents.   After researching more about Dave Gold, I learned that  he  teaches some great leadership lessons by how he runs his company. Perseverance  Matters! Everyone thought Dave Gold was nuts when he decided to start his store in 1982. People thought he was crazy to actually name  his store The 99 Cent Store.   What would  he do  if things  didnt go well and he was forced to raise the price?   Mr. Gold didnt listen to his doubters and  thought  it would be a fun challenge and decided to take the risk. It turned out that he made the right  decision since there are  now 276 outlets nationally with no  debt and a  stock that grew 800% from 1996 2003.   Isnt that  amazing!   I love the determination of this man and how he did not let other people impact his dreams and goals. What roadblocks are  holding you back from your dreams and goals? Sometimes, You Have to Make Your Own Path! Dave Gold realized that value mattered more than price to customers and he designed very attractive stores.  He also tried to make the process as easy as possible for his  vendors. Mr. Gold lives by the Golden Rule of treating others the way you want to be treated. He creates loyalty within his company by providing  great benefits for his employees and  promoting executives from in-house rather than hiring from outside the company.  His customers are also very loyal because the company  makes sure to serve its customers by  opening 15 minutes early and  closing 15 minutes late. He also has never allowed any kind of negative signs like No shoes, no service or We dont make change, but only positive signs saying Come as you are or We gladly make change. [Related Post:  How Women Can Get The Salary They Deserve: 3 Simple Steps For Success] Lessons from the 99c Store I think the most important thing leading to the success of this company was the positive culture  Dave Gold created.   He was very  laid back and liked to have fun. Can you say that about yourself, your  co-workers and your boss? Companies and management are under major stress these days due to the loss of so many jobs and our unstable economy. I wonder what would happen if bosses started to relax and  have fun at work? Do you think if bosses  became more laid back  that  employees might be happier, more productive and more loyal?