One of the most interesting CEO’s around these days is Brad Anderson of Best Buy (my teenage sons’ favorite store). In this NY Times article, Mr. Anderson, 55, tells his story of working his way up the ladder as Best Buy grew. It is a quintessentially American business story. The entire piece is well worth reading, and here are a few tidbits to give you a flavor for Mr. Anderson’s story:

I was a C-plus student in high school. My guidance counselor told me, “Some of us, son, are just not meant for college.”

I became a clerk in a stereo store called Sound of Music, a forerunner of Best Buy, in West St. Paul, where I bought my stereo in college. I loved music and was looking for a job where I could listen to music and get paid at the same time.
I didn’t know how to sell anything. You were paid on commission and I made $69 for two weeks’ worth of work. I wanted to quit, but then I figured out how to do it: do anything for the customer. The first stereo I ever sold I delivered personally, 70 miles away, and installed it myself. Then I actually started being good as a salesman, and somehow, after 31 years, I managed to work my way up to C.E.O.

We did some things right and a lot wrong. We reduced our operating expenses so Sound of Music could survive. I would literally drive the product to the stores when I went out to do the training.
But we did lots of stupid things, like when we went for a month without advertising. It was a good way to learn how valuable advertising was.

I’ve had a lot of mentors, especially my father, Marbury Anderson, and the founder of the company, Dick Schultz. I remember spending time with Dick when I was just starting out, and he was talking about the $50 million company he was building. By the time we built the $50 million company, he was on to building the $500 million company. That inspiration was so essential.

My sons used to have to drag me into Best Buy, but, over time, I have come to appreciate the store. Knowing that Brad Anderson is running Best Buy makes it even easier to enjoy.