John D. Larkin: A Business Pioneer

John D. Larkin, a native of Buffalo, NY, was a pioneer in American business. The soap manufactory which he started in a rented building in Buffalo in 1875 grew to become one of the largest mail order houses in the country by the turn of the century. As a teenager Larkin learned the soap business from the ground up, working for his brother-in-law making soap in Buffalo and slinging soap (selling door to door) in New York and Brooklyn. Using innovative marketing techniques, Larkin Company grew to become a rival of such giants as Sears Roebuck and Montgomery Ward. The Buffalo plant covered 16.5 acres and included an administration building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright which drew visitors from all over the world. Wright's building embodied the ideal that lay behind all John D. Larkin's efforts, the firm belief that quality service to customers and concern for the health and welfare of his employees were the foundation for success. The story of John D. Larkin's life from its humble beginnings to his position as head of a firm whose name became a household word from coast to coast reflects the American dream at its best.