San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-10-21
H.iMP WILLIAMS OF HOT
SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK

Hamp Williams of Hot Springs Ma
tional Park, Ark, had $I715 when ht
opened his hardware and paint store
in that town-which now has 1900
people. Yet he sold $4,000 worth o.
goods the first year, and now-weil
in 1922 about SG60,00O.
Mr.. Williams is a native of Ar
kansas. but was 50 years old. befor,
he went into business at Hot Springs
A primitive little store it was. scarce
ly more than a frame shack, witt
great double doors like a barn. HI
lived two miles away in the country
For a time Hamp Williams had NJ
clerks-necded none. He was the who'll
works. After a while he began to EN-
ploy store men. and he says:
For several years my men worked
for me. and during those years l sue
ceeded only fairly well. After that thci
worked with me. This plan gave ms
much greater dividends on capital
and n great deal more pleasure. My
general plans OF doing business ar,
organization through a profit-sharin:
system, community service. a complete
stock. the pushing of sales. cash an(
credit, rapid turnover, and smaller
profit. My theory is that increase
volume is much more easily obtaine,
than increased prices. and is muci
more satisfactory. Advertising is eS
sential TO any business. Advertise
through the newspaper first and by
personal contact second. Road sign'
and circulars are good. But above all
pleased and satisfied customers are the
foundation of the whole institution
To obtain the result you must have d
pleased and satisfied organization"
Hamp Williams has been burned out
twice. the first time losing $4,000
above the insurance, and the secon
time S20,000-and his house as well
But these were mere episodes in his
rapid rise. Hot Springs National ParS
has only 12.OOO permanent residents
but the country adjacent has the SAINT
sort of astonishing markets we have
seen in many of these RomanceS,
From a small country store TO biz
business-yet still in a small commun
ity-has been the story of innumer
able men. Hamp Williams business
is capitalized today at 100000 aR
his store has $4,000 feet of floJl
space. Two branches have been estab
lished-at Benton and Sheridan. Ark
And recently he was elected president
Of the National Retail Hardware As
ISOLATION.
Down there amid the youth-restor
ing waters of Arkansas, Hamp vii
lams is an oraclc-sage. prophet
counsellor to all who need an infusion
of wisdom. Nobody ever heard Ham,
say that il he were young again he
would never live in that old burg
Hamp would have wooed Fortuna
wherever the gods set him down. Here
are some of his observations on the
spot where destiny planted him:
Il love to live in Hot Springs Ma
tional Park for its great variety Of
living. If | wish to live in real city
with its visitors from every country
we have it. II desire to live in les'
| crowded portions. it's only few bloci
away. If / desire TO live in village
Just q few blocks further. If ! deslr'
country home where can hav'
my gardens. orchards, vineyards
cows. pigs and chickens, only a few
blocks. There is one great objection
TO living he>e. Sometime. according to
nature. ! must leave it.
What greater Romance can one
achieve than little money and such
contentment?