Former Stock Boy Purchases White Furniture in Wyandotte

After 27 years at White Furniture in Wyandotte, Scott Jordan, 44, of Brownstown, has done it all.

He began as a stock boy in June 1985 and, after a short time, he was promoted to delivery boy. From there he was promoted to furniture repairman; then to credit manager; then to collection agent; then to assistant manager; then to manager; then to general manager and then to vice president.

With no possible promotions left, Jordan decided to simply purchase the company--his new title is president and owner of White Furniture.

Jordan's journey to becoming the owner of White Furniture, which was made official in January, began when he was 16 years old and a little thirsty.

"I asked my parents for some money to buy a Slurpee and they told me White Furniture was hiring and to go see if someone would give me a job, so I could buy my own Slurpee," Jordan said.

After a short conversation with then owner Jeff Olstein, whose father Sam Olstein opened the store in 1946, Jordan was hired as a stock boy on the spot.

"He asked me if I could lift anything," Jordan said. "I told him I worked out and was pretty strong."

Jordan said things at White Furniture haven't changed much since he took over as president--except now he writes the checks.

With a staff of 11 employees--12 if you count 68-year-old Jeff Olstein who volunteers at the store about ten hours each week--Jordan said customers trust his judgement when it comes to interior decorating.

Jordan's 15-year-old daughter, Ashley Jordan, teases him about his extensive knowledge of interior design.

"She says, 'Most dads yell at the television during football games; my dad yells at the television during interior design shows,'" Jordan said. "I enjoy what I do. I get excited about furniture."