[Robert DeLong]

Yet I can almost guarantee your grandfather would admit that an ambition to succeed is what they share in common. Starting from a position of wealth, often is interpreted as a leg up, but I have known many kids of super wealthy people who turned out unsuccessful. There were several reasons for this, but the overriding thing was that they lacked motivation. Instead they were content to sit on their laurels and reap what their ancestors before them had provided. The other reason was they felt obligated to succeed and resisted that with fervor.

But indeed, kudos to your grandfather. Truly a self made man who was lucky enough to live during a time in this country where self determination had a better chance of achieving success.

[Bill Russell]

Ref: “.. your grandfather. Truly a self made man who was lucky enough to live during a time in this country where self determination had a better chance of achieving success.”

You have a very good point about being in a time when self determination had a better chance of success. My grandfather made his fortune making lacquer finishes used by the North Carolina furniture industry in its heyday. I can’t imagine the excessive amount of government and EPA regulations which would prevent him from doing this today.