How was your job different than you thought it would be?
Having a job gave me such a great feeling of independence. In 1940, I was making pretty good money for a 12 year old. From then on I never wanted my parents to give me money, I wanted to earn it for myself.

What important lessons or skills did you learn in your first job that have been instrumental in your success?
I was responsible for collecting money for the papers and turning it in to the newspaper. I quickly noticed that there were deadbeats who tried to dodge me when I came to collect. I had to be persistent and catch them when they didn’t expect me, which was a good thing to learn early on. If someone owes you money they might try to avoid you, but eventually they’ll pay you. I also learned that your employment record will always follow you. If you move onto another job your goal should be to have your employer say that you were a very good employee. You have to think that way every day.

Which of those lessons, and how, carried into subsequent jobs after your first?
You have to be persistent if you want to achieve your goals. You never know what the job you’re doing each day will lead to, so you have to put your all into everything you do.

Have you seen how lacking those first job skills had negative effects on others?
Again, the record of your work performance will follow you, and it’s up to you whether that will be positive or negative. Sometimes people apply for a job and they don’t list references from previous employers, and that’s always suspicious. Your previous employers will be contacted before you are hired, and you’d be surprised as to how well they know you. It’s hard to hide from a negative work record.

Is there a specific event in your first job that you learned something you still use today?
Our newspaper had a small press, the guys with the big routes got their papers first and had 10 guys to help them fold their papers, and those with the smallest routes had to fold their own. I merged up to 156 papers (from 28) onto my route and became the biggest route for the Holdenville Daily News. I was 15 when I left the paper.

What obstacles that you faced had the greatest impact on your career path?
They were rough times before WWII when I grew up, but in our small town we were doing pretty good, so I never thought twice about it. My family was very resourceful; for instance we had a garden and canned food we picked from it. We watched our money close and we saved. I was taught that everything should be done in moderation. Because of that we weren’t faced with hardship when many were—we were prepared.

What people or outside factors affected your work ethic or motivated you the most to succeed?
In a small town, my mother, aunt and grandmother knew everyone. They proved to me that you never know how much people will remember about you and your actions, and how your record will follow you. My grandmother always said that nobody likes a lazy employee or a complainer, so I never wanted to be either of those. My parents were instrumental in my later success. My dad came to visit me at college and said "your mother and I are not sure you're on schedule to graduate on time, so realize that if you don’t, it’s up to you to pay to finish." I carried 19 hours and took summer school. It was tough, but I got my Geology degree on time.

What advice would you give to someone starting his or her first job?
It could be your career—every job you have, approach it that way. Listen carefully to your supervisor and know what’s expected of you. When you start a job you are entering a contract to work for money. If you don’t meet expectations, you are taking your employers’ money dishonestly. If you find yourself having personality conflicts or other reasons you can’t work with people, you should examine if it’s you and try to improve yourself. Most importantly, you have to develop a strong work ethic early on. The most successful people are usually the first ones there and the last to go home. Don’t look at the clock, rather work until you have done your job to the best of your ability.

What is the most valuable advice you have for young adults who want to pursue their own business plan?
Come early. Stay late. Work hard. And remember, a fool with a plan can outsmart a genius without one any day.

What do you find most rewarding about your position today?
I'm now in my 70s and I'm more successful than I have ever been. I cannot imagine not working. I'm a big believer in fitness, for myself and my employees. I don't want to grow old and feel bad, and I don't want my employees to, either. Almost all of my estate will go to charity. I like making money, and I like giving it away.