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When the time came to move from the military to working full time in his family’s hardware business,
Sam Ransdell was excited to see how his military skills would transfer to his role as operations manager for the Burney True Value locations in Aberdeen and Seven Lakes, North Carolina. Sam’s grandfather S. R. Ransdell purchased the business in 1982 and Sam’s parents, Jim and Kristy, took over in 1985, so he literally grew up in the business.
“It has been rewarding to see the tremendous growth we have had over the years,” he says. “Hardware is in our blood.”
With a desire for the structure, brotherhood and growth opportunities the military promised, Sam joined the North Carolina Army National Guard in 2010. He served in the Army National Guard as a logistics officer until 2019, when he returned to work full time for Burney True Value where he has guided the operation to success. In 2015, Sam was named a North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA) Young Retailer of the Year honoree.
“During my time in the Guard, I enjoyed being part of the planning and then seeing the plan through to successful completion,” Sam says. “It’s always rewarding to see your plans in action.”
Back in the hardware world, Sam says he loves the freedom that being your own boss brings, working with customers and being able to provide solutions to people who have a real need.
“I think being a small business allows us to stay nimble and adapt to the ever-changing market, which keeps us viable, especially in our area,” Sam says.
One example of the operation’s nimbleness occurred during Hurricane Helene, when Sam says they gathered supplies from the stores and accepted donations from the community to quickly get supplies to those in need.
“Quick thinking from our team and community is what made that work, and I love that not only do we support our community, but our community supports us in so many ways,” Sam says. “We are very grateful to be here in Moore County.”
Sam says the flexibility he honed in the military—plus being able to adapt, overcome on the fly and remain fluid under pressure—have been crucial to his success in the independent home improvement channel.
“Sometimes we encounter situations that can be challenging, but fortunately we have great teams in both of our stores, and I know our customers appreciate us being able to jump in when there is a need,” Sam says. “Knowing how to lead a team and maintaining morale is key to ensuring a successful business, and I don’t know anywhere that will teach you those skills better than the military.”
Shifting Skills
Sam has not only tapped into his military skills and experience in his own hardware career, he’s also helped other veterans utilize their military skills in the operation. There have been over a hundred military veterans employed over the years, and Sam values the skills and perspectives those employees gained from military service like he values his own.
“They have leadership skills, stamina and discipline they acquired in the military that many civilians don’t have,”
Sam says. “In addition, they’re strong merchandisers because they are trained to pay attention to details and fix problems with precision.”
Some of the more tangible skills, such as small engine repair, translate directly from the military to a hardware business. Other less measurable skills—like work ethic, teamwork and grit—are bonuses that also positively impact the business.
“If they’re doing a march and they’re dead tired, they still put their rucksacks in formation at the end,” Sam says. “When we recognize a section of the store is dirty, it doesn’t matter if we’re tired or busy. It needs to be done, so we do it.”
Leadership and the ability to execute are two competencies Sam personally brought in from his military experience and looks for in the other veterans he hires. A move from infantry soldier to retailer might not appear to be a natural career progression, Sam says, but it could be an opportunity to continue using leadership skills and grow into management roles.
“Veterans are a great group of people who know what it means to have fun but also buckle down and get to business,” Sam says. “Veterans are such a huge asset to our hardware community. They are disciplined, mentally tough, attentive, considerate and really enhance the overall hardware experience, for not only coworkers, but customers alike.”
