Bleeding Orange for 30 Years
The Home Depot was founded by Arthur Blank and Bernie Marcus 30 years ago. We spoke recently with some associates who have been here from the early days; when Bernie and Arthur handed out dollar bills to attract new customers outside our first store, and when Bernie made personal deliveries to customers’ homes.
Calvin of Store 1777 in Kennesaw, Ga., Mark of Store 634 in Concord, Calif., and Adina at the Atlanta SSC have been bleeding orange and taking care of customers for nearly 30 years. They helped lay the foundation that the Company was built on. We spoke with our three most-tenured associates and asked them to share their thoughts and memories.
What has changed the most about the Company in the past 30 years?
Calvin: The one thing that has changed the most is the size of the Company and the growth. We went from a few stores here in Atlanta to more than 2,000, and we’ve expanded internationally.
Adina: At one point, we all pretty much knew each other. And now we have more than 300,000 associates. It’s incredible!
What hasn’t changed about the Company?
Mark: Bernie and Arthur put in place a set of core values that really mean a lot to associates, such as taking care of our associates, excellent customer service and giving back to the community. You can see that even today with our Customers FIRST program and The Homer Fund.
Adina: Professional growth was encouraged then and it’s evident today. I started in the store as a cashier and worked my way to being the executive assistant to four different officers. And with the promotion of Ann-Marie Campbell to division president, who also started as a cashier, it makes me feel good to know that the Company is still supportive of its associates.
You’ve been walking the aisles for 30 years. What has kept you at The Home Depot?
Adina: I can’t think of another place that I would rather be, or a group of people that I would ever want to work with other than associates at The Home Depot. We’re very lucky to be a part of this Company because they really do care about their associates.
Calvin: Every day, it’s a new experience. Customers ask for me by name because I have built relationships with them over the years. I enjoy helping them build their projects. There’s nothing better than having a customer invite you to come to their home and share in the excitement of their new deck or floor because you helped them realize they could actually build something on their own.
Have our customers changed?
Mark: Our customers are smarter when it comes to DIY. The Home Depot took the beginning of a DIY customer base and provided product and know-how. And that has produced customers who are confident, savvy and have the knowledge to tackle projects that many would not have considered 30 years ago.
Calvin: They expect more when it comes to DIY materials because so many of them are doing their own thing.
Any experience or favorite moment that stands out in the 30 years you’ve been here?
Adina: I remember taking care of a couple who spent a lot of time in the store buying Casablanca ceiling fans. They loved them so much that they put one in every room. We showed them how to hang them, took them missing parts, handled all their purchases and returns and did whatever we could to assist them. At the end of the project, they invited me and another associate to their house for dinner to show their appreciation.
Calvin: Bernie and Arthur used to conduct our store meetings. There would be about 25 of us in the break room at 6 a.m. on Sunday talking with Bernie and Arthur about our sales plan and goals. I feel very privileged to have had that opportunity to work so closely with them.
Mark: I remember setting freight with [co-founder] Pat Farrah. All of them – Bernie, Arthur and Pat – would roll up their sleeves and get right down there with you to make sure the job got done. They encouraged partnership.
Any final thoughts?
Adina: There is no better place to work. I will always bleed orange and I am totally devoted to The Home Depot.
Mark: The Home Depot is a part of my life – it has become second nature. That’s why I come to work.
Calvin: We have gone back to the concept that made us great in the first place – customer service. That’s a good thing.
We have four additional associates that are also celebrating 30-year anniversaries this year:
David, Store 165, Covington, Ga.
William, Store 147, Buford, Ga.
Raymond, Store 4006, Salem, Ore.
David, Store 6667, Windsor, Calif.
Comments
28 years with Home Depot i still look at my customer with stars in my eyes and a great feelings just knowing i made a difference just with a smile. my final thought
Holy Quacamole!
Way to go Calvin! Working with you is like having a walking encyclopedia of home depot culture, and building materials info. 1777
22years with Home Depot. I’ve worked in three diff.states and so many stores, I’ve lost count. I still love to show up for work and put on my orange apron.
I enjoy seeing grown ups that come in now that I use to have as children in my Kids Workshops. Lifetime customers.
Thanks everyone for all your support, its been a long journey! I really appreciate it!
Even though I have never met any of the Associates. I want to say “Thank you and I appreciate you guys” It’s Associates like Calvin #1777, Mark #634, Adina #Atlanta SSC, William #147, Rayomd #4006 and David #6667. Makes it worth while to learn all that needs to be learned, because we have them to go ask advice.
Thank you all for all you have done. Without you guys there in the beginning, none of us would have the great place to work in that we have today.
Mark was my 1st department head when I was hired (March 1982, Store 0215, Ft Lauderdale). We often went out on my boat and hung out, until he tranferred to open the 1st Orlando store. When I saw him on “My Apron-30 years” I called him and (after over 25 years) we remembered it like it was yesterday. Home Depot associates do become like family. Good Luck with the off-road racing Mark.
Hello I am from store 3832 in Cincinnati OH. I remember my first visit to a Home Depot in Atlanta Georgia. I was in Atlanta on a business trip with 3 people I worked with. The motel we were staying in was in walking distance of Home Depot. I walked there after our meeting (always got out early) – and fell in love. I was so excited about the store; the others were going to dinner and drinking. I stayed at Home Depot. We were there 3 days and I spent my free time at Home Depot. I was so excited and shared it with many people in Cincinnati. (My mistake – I should have bought stock in HS then!). Now 28 years later I am a part time worker at Home Depot. I am so happy to be a part of this organization. I am a Human Resources Manager for another company (43 Years); love my job there. I received a phone call from Corporate about a Human Resources job with Home Depot, I said No to the full-time position, but took a part time offer. Home Depot will certainly be my retirement job – and I am fortunate to enjoy my job at both places. I currently work in the phone center and the Kids Workshop. I am PROUD of my Orange Blood!
ALL I CAN SAY IS WOW!!! I MYSELF WILL BE MAKING MY 14 YEARS THIS OCTOBER AND I AM GREATFUL THAT I STILL HAVE A JOB. I WORK PART TIME IN VARIOUS DEPTS SO I HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR SOME TIME. I ENJOYED READING ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCES. OH I CAME FROM THE EXPO FOR 9 NINE YEARS.
I am SOOOO proud to work for a company that has such dedicated associates like this! Thank you for saying “it’s ok to BLEED ORANGE!”
I just made my 12th year with The Home Depot. I started in Blinds & wallpaper; and am now back in Blinds. It is a real honor to have been here through all of the changes. I plan on retireing from The Home Depot..It is a huge part of my life.
Hey Adina, It is so great to see your picture and know you are still going strong with the best company in the world. I made my 22 year anniversary last April and am looking forward to more in the future. I worked at the SSC for 10 years then moved to the stores in 1997. I love this company and have made many friends over the years.
Calvin you hired me on 1-12-1987 almost 23 years ago. That was when we work hard and played harder. Your out of my league!!!
Calvin
It has always been a pleasure working with you. For the short time in Kennesaw before you moved to Roswell N.W and finally meeting up again there 9 years later. You will also forever be linked to me through stories told to me by Jacquie about the glory days at 146.
BTW 13 years for me!
GO THD!
mark- how the hell have you been? i’m still up in Washington-store 4720. 22 years and going strong!
Our Founders placed ‘I help in all departments’ on our aprons until the nardelli crew removed it.
They may have removed it from our aprons but they could not take it out of our spirit, that is why The Home Depot is here today.
We all must remember to take care of each and every customer, one customer at a time, the way HD was started.
‘Yes, I can help you’ is what we do at our store.
On Sept. 26 I will complete 10 years with THD. This is a great company to work for. I enjoy coming to work every day.
Because of my handycap I can only work on the phone room but I enjoy every moment of it because I get to give advice to customers just as if I was working the floor.
I’m tickled to see this website! I’ve been Orange Blooded for quite awhile, and reading these posts really stirs my heart. The Home Depot is the best company I’ve ever worked for, and I’m just a part-timer. Have been for 15 years, except for a short stint when I was laid off my full-time job. As soon as my Store Manager caught wind of my situation, he offered to bring me on full-time, even if just to help pay the bills until I found another position in my profession. When I did, he immediately returned me to part-time status. I don’t think there’s too many employers out there that would be that gracious and understanding. Even though I don’t need to work a part-time job now, I doubt I would (or could) ever leave The Home Depot. I would miss it too much. I love to tell new associates about the “old days”, when everybody loved us. And I am so excited that we are finally back on the right track with the renewed focus on customer service. And it’s definitely making a BIG difference in turning the tide. Customers are really noticing the positive change. The complaints are starting to dwindle, and the praises are streaming in. Any way, I’ve rambled on enough. I will always be bleeding orange.
I love working for the home depot.. it is a fun experience and i made alot friends here at our store in Victorville, CA. Even tho i been here for only two years i have customers come back and ask for me personally to mix paint for them. I am a cashier now. Working for such a big company has been a great experience.
GREAT JOB EVERYBODY!!!! KEEP SHOWING OUR CUSTOMERS WHY WE ARE THE BEST!!!!!!
WOW! I give you Kodos
30 years is a long time at one job. Your store must treat you as well as mine does me, I hope I will be here 30 years too.
I really have alot of fun working as a Head Cashier and I help in ALL departments. The knowledge I have helps me throught the store helping customers and PK’s to help my fellow associates.
Happy 30th Birthday Home Depot!
What would you propose then?
—————————————
signature: bactrim online
32S6d3 I bookmarked this link. Thank you for good job!
I was just hired today to become a MEA in District 190. I look foward to a long and enjoyable career at The Home Depot. Being a New York Giant fan I have always bleed Giant blue but from now on Monday to Saturday I will be orange blooded.
Just wanted to say bravo THD. It’s not every company that can say that some of their employees have been here for 30 yrs. I’ve only just begun here, but have been shopping THD for 15 or so yrs and have always enjoyed it. After coming into the company and realizing what THD is all about, I have to admit that i’m even more impressed and more so proud to be working for the best company, that I’ve ever had the pleasure of working for. Your ethics and values are truly blessed from above! I’ve really enjoyed reading these articles and learning more and more about what THD is all about.