Jim and Claire Gagan were the 12th Members at BIGHORN in its earliest beginnings. Drawn to BIGHORN’s natural desert environment in the timeless foothills of the San Jacintos with spectacular views of mountains and valley, they intended to enjoy it for a long time. However, by 1996 BIGHORN with 55 Members was on the block to be sold. At a Member informational meeting, Jim Gagan stood up and suggested that the Members should buy the Club themselves and within 24 hours he received a call from R.D. Hubbard, BIGHORN’s current Chairman, asking him to be an investor. Gagan agreed, as long as he was the first investor.
as Direct Buy, and it continues offering hundred of brands and millions of products to its members. The company was sold in 2007. At that time, Direct Buy had grown to be a $1,000,000,000 company serving more than a million members through 173 Direct Buy franchises.
This statement speaks volumes to the character of a man who began his career after finishing the 8th grade. Born a natural salesman, Gagan states, “I only sell what I believe in and that includes blue sky.” He attributes his success in life to his beautiful wife Claire, to whom he’s been married for 55 years. Her patience and trust, along with their beautiful family, have kept Gagan motivated through numerous business ventures.
“I thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be wonderful if consumers could buy the items they wanted at true wholesale prices because they had purchasing power?’” shares Gagan. “Suppose you had several uncles who owned dozens of businesses so you could purchase anything at cost – my business would be everyone’s favorite uncle.” So his plan went into action and he: a. provided members with thousands of merchandise options, which only members of United Consumers Club could buy at wholesale prices b. built a national sales organization, and c. sold UCC franchises making millionaires out of franchisees.
Gagan created Direct Buy in 1971, originally known as United Consumers Club, where members could buy absolutely anything at cost as long as they purchased a membership. Seventeen years before companies like Price Club, Costco and Sam’s Club started, United Consumers Club offered its members a variety of furniture, appliances, and flooring from which to choose and buy at cost. Today, United Consumers Club is known the world over
Gagan with his idea and his second franchiser traveled to the Chicago Furniture Mart where his natural salesman personality talked his way into a retailer’s badge. Once in front of a brandname furniture showroom, he tried to purchase merchandise, but was sent on his way. This happened time and time again. However, better informed by the experience and even more determined he began day two at the first showroom and this
Jim and Claire Gagan love attending parties at BIGHORN
Mike Fedderly designed the spectacular Gagan home featuring 360-degree views of the mountain range above and the Coachella valley below. Jim and Claire (above right) are very close to their children. Below: Mark is pictured on the left, Jamie in the middle and Sarah on the right.