 "I guess it's unusual for a guy my age to start another business," explains Wally Harrison, 79-year-old entrepreneur. "We had just sold the family farm, and without all those chores, I was looking for something to keep me busy."When my wife and I moved, my one request was that our new home have room for a good-sized hobby shop. I had two ideas. One, to make toys for kids in Third World countries. That came from our own experience in the Peace Corps-those kids we met had so little. I ended up designing these simple, old-fashioned wooden cars with wheels. We've already sent hundreds overseas with relief organizations. It seemed logical that wherever there was needed relief, there would be children without. Without basics, but also without fun. I wanted to give them back a little fun. So, I make these simple little wooden cars in my workshop. |
“I didn’t plan to make this a business. I wanted to make furniture for the kids I knew. But everyone who saw what I was doing told me I had to be ready to mass produce. And it wasn’t just adults giving me the message—a neighbor’s grandson was visiting and asked to go see ‘the grandpa who lets me build chairs.’ “I’ve always joked that I get along better with little kids and animals, so I guess it’s fitting that at this stage of my life, I’m working with kids. PROVIDING TOYS FOR CHILDREN IN NEED |
“There’s something about seeing the smiles and hearing little kids say, ‘I did it myself!’”
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