Bob Mills Furniture is celebrating a major milestone. On July 3, 2021, the furniture business celebrated its 50th year in business. This is quite an accomplishment, but the story of how it started and how it’s grown is truly interesting. Let’s first take a look at the founder, Bob Mills.
Bob Mills was born in Roswell, New Mexico to Jim and Lorean Mills in 1947. Thirteen years later, the family moved east to Oklahoma City, OK, where he attended middle school before becoming a Putnam City High School Pirate. After Bob graduated from high school in 1965, he moved to Weatherford, OK, to study business and music at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU). He received bachelor’s degrees in business and music in 1969 and is a current member of the SWOSU distinguished alumni group.
Once he graduated, he ventured out to look for a job. Bob says, “After I got out of college, all I had was a college degree and a saxophone because that’s the way I worked my way through college. I played in a rock and roll band.” Later, he ran into an old friend and Bob shared with him that he was looking for a job, and the friend told him he was looking for a clerk typist. The job paid $400 a month, but Bob really needed the job. After a while, Bob became friends with one of the insurance salesmen at his job, and Bob learned that salesman was once in the furniture business. One day, Bob asked what it would cost to get in the furniture business and his friend said that if we had $25,000 we would be set. Well, Bob didn’t have $25,000 but he knew someone that did, his mother. Being an only child, and losing his dad when he was 19, Bob sold his Mom on the idea that if she loaned him the money, they were gonna make big things happen. Well, she said yes with one stipulation. She wanted her money back and she wanted a return on her money. So, on July 3rd, 1971 they opened their doors at 2625 S.W. 29th, Oklahoma City, OK, in what was once an old grocery store. The doors opened, and Bob Mills started Bob Mills Furniture.
The Business Begins to Grow
As the business grew, so did the marketing. In 1973 Bob Mills started the Bob Mills Furniture Country TV Show. Most all the employees that worked with Bob played an instrument, so it was an easy solution. Bob realized there was real value in the show because customers would come in and want to buy from the guy that played the drums, or the bass player. Through the years, some names you may know stopped by the show, like Merle Haggard and Charlie Daniels. The show ran until 1982 and from there, more changes in marketing happened. Bob knew to have real success he needed a slogan and that’s when “The Working Man’s Friend” was created. And sometime through the years Bob adopted wearing wild and colorful sweaters. He stood out, and that’s exactly what he was looking for. Whether people liked them or not if someone said something Bob always answered, “thank you for noticing.”
Too Big for 29th
In the 1980s, Bob outgrew its old location and moved to the same 110,000 square foot facility at 3600 W. Reno in Oklahoma City, OK which his team uses today! But that location didn’t stay solo for long. The first expansion into another market was the opening of the Amarillo, TX location. Now, with 100 employees Bob Mills was ready to keep building. Today, Bob now has furniture stores across northwestern and central Texas in Amarillo, Lubbock, Odessa, Temple, Waco, Midland, San Antonio, and Tulsa, Oklahoma. “I think one of the most exciting parts about this business is that each time we go into a new market I know we are bringing them a special way to shop for furniture like they’ve never seen before.” More thrilling news is in store for Bob Mills Furniture. The newest location will be opening in late November 2021 in Wichita, Kansas. This will be the first Bob Mills Furniture in Kansas.
The Bob Mills Furniture Difference
“Our number one goal is to take care of the customer,” says Bob. And Bob Mills Furniture does that with unique shopping experiences and offers. Bob Mills Furniture has promised that when you shop at Bob Mills you will never be hassled by Shopper Stalkers. Those are the salespeople that follow you around everywhere asking if they can help you over and over. Because at Bob Mills the Sales Hosts earn a steady non-commissioned salary, they only help customers when they need help. “I hear all the time how much our customers appreciate this kind of no-pressure selling,” Bob said. One of the ways Bob Mills gives customers more for less is with the exclusive Companion’s Pricing. Bob says, “I know most people don’t come in here to just buy a sofa. They want the sofa, loveseat, and recliner. With Companion’s Pricing, I make sure all of our customers get everything they want, all together, for less. And because nobody does FREE like me, with many sets the recliner is FREE. With a 9 store buying power, we really are able to offer more for less.”
Every Bob Mills Furniture store has a Bob Mills Sleep Spa inside, featuring a patented bedMATCH® system. Bob Mills Sleep Spa makes finding the right mattress easy. In less than five minutes, you can answer a few questions regarding how you sleep, pain criteria, and sleep position. Then you lie down as the bedMATCH® system takes measurements of your body and determines the right support level you need in a mattress. Bob Mills Sleep Spa mattresses are selected for the highest levels of quality with the latest technology in pocketed coils, memory foam, latex, hybrids, and more. Once you find the right mattress, you simply select the size you need in king, queen, full, twin, or even California King.
“Because I suffered from Scoliosis for years, I’ve always believed your sleep health is one of the most important things to pay attention to. So, I only carry the most advanced mattresses in sleep technology available today. I know how important having the right support and comfort is to your sleep and your health,” said Bob.
Discover Better Living
This is the latest slogan used throughout Bob Mills Furniture’s advertising today. But this holds true whether you’re a Bob Mills employee with a steady, enjoyable job or you’re visiting Bob Mills Furniture and looking for your new living room set or mattress.
Bob says, “I think it’s important that we continue to look for ways that can improve our lives. And yes, when you surround yourself with wonderful people or beautiful furniture, you absolutely can discover better living. I’m grateful we’ve been a part of that discovery for 50 years, and I’ve been able to do what I love every single day.”