Thinking big - after supersizing Becker Furniture, its founder tackles health care.
DOUG HUSEBY has more than 15 startups under his belt, and at age 65 he?s hard at work rolling out his most ambitious project yet.
Best-known as the founder and CEO of Becker Furniture World, Huseby painstakingly grew the store from 500 square feet to 300,000 square feet and current sales of more than $45 million. He started out with no-name brands, competed with giant furniture businesses and invented new ways to grow.
In 2006 ? faced with the housing slowdown and rising gas prices ? Huseby had to figure out how to differentiate his store from other big-box furniture stores and justify driving to the shop in Becker.
Huseby took a risk and invested millions of dollars to expand his store into a ?home center,? offering everything for the home under one roof, including paint, siding, lighting, home electronics and appliances. His gamble paid off: First-quarter 2008 sales were up 19 percent. He?s now in talks to expand the concept into the Twin Cities and perhaps nationally.
Huseby?s latest passion is health and wellness and he launched several wellness companies, including Common Sense Wellness. He wants to change the corporate health system by systemizing health care into ?wellness care,? using medical doctors, homeopaths, chiropractors, acupuncturists and new technology.
Read the full article here.
Family Comes First at Becker Furniture World
Julie Huseby and her husband, Doug, owners of award-winning Becker Furniture World, have made their business a family affair. Their oldest son is president and runs the Becker Home Center. Another son is head of merchandising and their daughter, now a stay-at-home mother of five, was involved in the store’s advertising.
Family businesses can be risky. Julie says it saddens her to hear about families splitting up because they’re unable to work together. While family dynamics can be challenging, she and Doug feel working with their children is a worthwhile learning experience. The family has found there has to be give and take and it works better if everyone has their own role. If issues arise, they work them out together. “The bottom line is, family is most important,” says Julie.
Read the full article here.
Homestyle trends: Finial finery
July 10, 2007
Big gets bigger
Becker Furniture World has moved into its own galaxy. Already a behemoth, the furnishings retailer has converted several thousand feet of its warehouse to showrooms, rebranding the 250,000-square-foot space as Becker Furniture World Home Center.
At that size, the 4,300-square-foot house the retailer built inside the store doesn't seem so large.
Chief executive Jim Huseby said the "Idea House," with a fully functioning kitchen, home theater, rec room, outside deck and three-car garage, will help customers see products in a working environment. There's a swimming pool, too.
The Home Center also includes an appliance store, where customers can test cooking, freezing, washing and drying capabilities before purchasing, as well as boutique areas for cabinetry, plumbing fixtures, organization systems, tile and stone and countertops, in addition to furniture and accessories.
The retailer's grand opening starts July 18; Hwy. 10, Becker, 763-262-9000; www.becker furnitureworld.com.
KIM YEAGER
www.startribune.com
News Archive
Becker Furniture taking big leap into expansion
Becker Furniture World Opens Minnesota’s Largest Furniture Home Center
Becker Furniture World: One-Stop ‘Destination’
Our Article in Furnishings Magazine.com