Planting the Village Putting Down Roots: Sending Up Shoots
Free Enterprise and the Independent Business Owner
The Mayflower Landing development will truly be a village—a village of independently-owned start-up but complementary wood product manufacturing businesses. Established business can locate there as well. In the village each can enjoy a business relationship with other going and growing business. For example, if a craftsman specializes in architectural product milling, his output could be sold as a component piece to a cabinet maker, or to the production arm of Thomas A. Johnson Furniture, or have a wider outlet through the James River Furniture Company. One business can feed another or, as capacity grows, each business can establish their own wholesale and retail channels.
Dan Danner, president and CEO of the National Federation of Independent Business met Thomas Johnson in 2004. Thomas was a new NFIB member and came to Washington to attend a Small Business Summit NFIB was hosting.
Kimball Payne, Lynchburg city manager, has known Johnson for eight years. “Thomas is somebody who represents the 21st century of the American dream,” he said. “He seeks opportunity not just for himself but for others. He is a modern representative of the early American settlers as one who came here from another country and found allies.” Payne also points out that Johnson uses the traditional and classic designs and themes of the early American leaders who made their homes along the James River. “His appeal is his energy, his love for his adopted country and this community. His revitalization of both the tobacco warehouse property on the river and the former lumber yard property on Mayflower Drive is another way for Lynchburg to show off its uniqueness.” he said. Kimball Payne, Lynchburg City Manager, as a guest lecturer for a class on social entrepreneurism at Lynchburg College, reminded the students of ways to capitalize on a need in the community.
Danner said, “I learned more about Thomas’ vision over the years since then, but one thing was clear from the first day I met him. No one has a greater appreciation of the benefits of free enterprise and the importance of protecting it going forward.” He describes Johnson’s motivations to achieve in this way: “For Thomas I think it starts with his belief that it is his responsibility to give back, and the art of Dan Danner furniture making is what he has to give. That, and his passion for free enterprise, his strong belief that if he can succeed given his background, others can as well.” Johnson states his motivation more simply. ‘It is our responsibility to build for the next generation,” he added. “We are not just passing through this world. We should be expected to build something for the next generation.” The Thomas Johnson School of American Woodworking and Mayflower Landing is about identifying and developing entrepreneurs, not training people who have hobbies. “We are creating an environment where self-starters can gain the background to compete in interstate and global commerce,” added Johnson.