Dick shares his experience of working at Sears as a family member. He wasn't going to work at Sears Roebuck, he was going to go in a different direction but applied for a job on the loading dock on a dare. He got the job! After going through a managerial training program where you work every position in the store. This type of training seems to be a lost art today.

After his career at Sears, he created a Marketing Consulting company called the Gray Group, because there were many people coming out of advertising that had a lot of knowledge. He named it the Gray Group because you have to have gray hair to play.

He and his wife retired and chose the area of Holly Springs because one wanted the shore and one wanted the mountains so this was the perfect compromise. After constant trips to neighboring towns because the town of Holly Springs at the time was small and didn't have many amenities.
 
"I'm going to try to find a way to help build a town where you don't have to leave unless you want to." - Dick Sears
 
Now the town of Holly Springs is realizing that dream with the new construction on the hospital that will be opening in the town.

The town of Holly Springs is now turning attention to the issue of affordable housing.

When asked what else he would like to see in Holly Springs the Mayor said

• More senior living housing
• A swimming pool
• A convocation center
• A Cookout and a Goodberry's

The mayor was quick to celebrate his team at the town. He likes the term associate over employees. He was particularly proud of the work done by the public works department.

He also gave great advice to business owners and entrepreneurs looking to be successful in the town of Holly Springs that will translate to you no matter where you are.

Also mentioned in this podcast

• The Chamber of Commerce
• Launch Holly Springs
• Suburban Living Magazine
• The Town of Holly Springs