Celebrating 60 years at Love’s, one company tradition continues
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – So many details, so much for executive Jenny Love Meyer to think about every day at the family business. A sprawling empire, now with dots all over the U.S. map, and an entity she’s been part of most of her life.
Recalling her father, Tom Love, “Vivid memories,” she smiles. “He’d march right in. Of course, he owned it so it was fine.”
There are pictures and news clippings everywhere, bit one, big room inside the complex of corporate offices in Oklahoma City is dedicated to telling the Love’s story, from Store #1 in Watonga, to the metal desk where Jenny’s mother, Judy did the books.
“I remember my brothers and I crawling around on it,” she says.
The longest bridge on Rt. 66 is in the last stages of a 2-year rebuild
It is, of course, a story of great success, but as Chief Culture Officer and her father’s daughter, Jenny is constantly drawn to the lessons her parents taught without even trying.
“How he interacted with team members was really his way of connecting with them, and it made a huge difference with the organization,” she says.
Early on, it was easy for Tom to get around to his Love’s stores and check in, talk to employees, and learn their names.
We actually went with him to the original Love’s in Watonga back in 1997.
Those visits, Jenny learned, gave her dad invaluable information he couldn’t possibly get through phone calls or, later, Zoom meetings.
Military history in the mall: A new museum in Enid takes over an old Sears
As Tom slowed down and handed off his responsibilities, it was Jenny who took up what she calls ‘culture tours.’
“It really does harken back to when my dad visited stores,” she says.
A couple of times each month, she might take a little trip by car, or a much longer one by corporate airplane, to do the same thing her dad used to do: meet with employees, learn names, and take a business pulse.
Love Meyer says, “We look around, grab a cup of coffee, and look around. But most of our time in the store is spent with all the team members.”
They are the same conversations as always, but on a larger scale.
The tradition carries on, big picture and small, forest and tall trees on the highways of America.
For more information on Love’s history or the company, go to the Love’s website.
Great State is sponsored by Oklahoma Proton Center
Follow Galen’s Great State adventures on social media!
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
