Thoughts on the passing of retail legend Tom Stemberg

On Oct. 23, America lost one of its greatest retailing entrepreneurs, Tom Stemberg, who invented the office superstore industry close to 30 years ago. Tom, a Boston resident was a grocery executive early in his career. He came up with the idea of a supermarket for office products after driving around looking for a typewriter ribbon. He then founded Staples, now a $22 billion worldwide company.

Tom was only 66 when he died. But, as with many people, it is not how long they live but what they accomplished during their time here. I met Tom over 20 years ago and it was a privilege to serve under his leadership.

I went on many trips with Tom visiting potential locations. He paid a great attention to detail and after visiting stores, he would email his notes to colleagues asking them to follow-up on a variety of things. Out-of-stocks and poor customer engagement annoyed him.

Tom had a great way of dealing with people of all backgrounds and took pride in seeing his associates do well. Hiring the right people was part of his successful formula since he knew that numbers and money follow rather than lead. Tom was a tremendous leader, a brilliant retailer and worked tirelessly, even after being diagnosed with cancer two years ago.

Tom, who supported numerous charities and loved Harvard basketball (his alma mater), was a great inspiration to many. His passion for business was contagious. As much as I saw his genius, I loved Tom as a person.

While Tom’s success would allow him the ability to buy expensive personal belongings and vacation homes, that wasn’t Tom. He wanted to just be one of the guys, nothing special. Yet anyone who knew Tom, recognized that he was extraordinarily special and loyal to his friends.

Tom’s love of people encouraged him to suggest health insurance to his friend, then Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney. Who would think that a Republican would think that way, but “Romneycare” became successful before “Obamacare”.

After Tom left Staples close to 10 years ago, he became a managing partner with Highland Consumer and helped several other small companies grow. Not everything Tom touched was successful, but like the great entrepreneur and leader he was, he didn’t give up easily, even battling a horrible illness. Tom taught us to raise the bar, to push the envelope, to respond with urgency, to find a better way, to avoid making excuses, to be caring with people and that by doing right we win.

Tom left a great legacy at Staples and for many other retailers. He taught us by example so we could all be better at what we do.

Tom was a wonderful leader, mentor and friend who will be greatly missed by many, but his work will continue since he taught us all so well.

Noal Solomon is director of real estate for Staples.