MarionMade!: Gary Ferriman invests in start-ups for the future of Marion

Special to the Marion Star
·3 min read

Each week, Marion Technical College shares MarionMade! stories of our many wonderful people, places, products and programs in the greater Marion community. To read more positive stories of Marion, or to share some of your own, visit us at marionmade.org or on social media.

A local business leader who was born and raised in Marion is helping other entrepreneurs succeed.

Gary Ferriman, president of Showplace Rentals, is joining Alluvial Private Wealth in sponsoring The Forge business classes this year. These free classes are open to anyone in Marion County with a small business or a desire to start a business. Classes start at 6 p.m. Aug. 24 at Marion Technical College. The top participants will compete for $2,500 in prize money on Oct. 12 at the Alluvial Private Wealth Forge Competition.

Gary and Mary Ann Ferriman attended a legislative conference. Gary said he could not succeed in business without his teachers, business mentors, his parents, and especially his wife.
Gary and Mary Ann Ferriman attended a legislative conference. Gary said he could not succeed in business without his teachers, business mentors, his parents, and especially his wife.

Ferriman is sponsoring The Forge because he believes any business can thrive with diligence, the right tools and the courage to risk it all.

“I believe nearly anyone driven can operate and succeed in a small business,” Ferriman said. “The younger locals have infused a shot of adrenaline into our downtown area. Our community will continue to attract small to mid-sized businesses as folks see the quality of life that can be achieved here.”

Ferriman is the child of humble, working class parents, Bill Ferriman and Kathy Anderson. His grandparents on both sides of his family were business owners.

Ferriman went to Pearl Street Elementary School. From a young age, he learned to work hard by delivering newspapers, mowing lawns and caddying.

After Ferriman graduated from Harding High School in 1973, he worked at Marion Power Shovel in quality control. He started selling TVs on his front porch and eventually opened a sales and repair shop. He worked in a number of industries before he discovered the home furnishing rental purchase industry.

Gary Ferriman (left), president of Showplace Rentals, next to his son, Keith Ferriman, executive vice president of Showplace Rentals. Gary’s grandparents were business owners. Gary and his wife are business owners and now their son is also in business.
Gary Ferriman (left), president of Showplace Rentals, next to his son, Keith Ferriman, executive vice president of Showplace Rentals. Gary’s grandparents were business owners. Gary and his wife are business owners and now their son is also in business.

Ferriman is a lifelong learner in order to hone his skills as he advanced in business.

Dreaming, planning and help from teachers, mentors, coworkers

“I was overwhelmed for a stage. In the early ‘90s, I became a devoted student to Stephen R. Covey, the author of '7 Habits of Highly Effective People.' I traveled several times yearly to his Leadership Center in Utah to train and refresh my skills. I became a licensed facilitator in several of their courses. It was a difference maker for my business and my family,” Ferriman said.

Ferriman also credits dreaming, planning and help from teacher, mentors and coworkers, adding he couldn’t have done it without his family, especially his wife.

“Mary Ann is extraordinary supporter for all our business interests. She founded and ran Sunset Cash Advance for 10 years and currently handles our commercial real estate properties,” Ferriman said. “We don’t have higher education, but we do have a heavy dose of what Grandma called gumption.”

Ferriman is excited to support the Forge classes, which will cover topics including developing a business plan, financing, record keeping, marketing and more.

“This is a great way to inspire beginner and intermediate small business folks. Our area needs this for vibrancy. I would be honored to help,” Ferriman said. “I love being from Marion. This town and area have been very good to my family.”

Ferriman takes pride in having happy, fulfilled employees as well as long-term, loyal customers. In addition, he is active in supporting many local groups including the United Way, the Boys and Girls Club, the YMCA, and many more. He is a member of the Marion Area Chamber of Commerce.

Jess Lamar Reece Holler holds her awards for winning first place for the 2022 Alluvial Private Wealth Forge Competition to support her business plan to renovate the Masonic Block on the Caledonia Square.
Jess Lamar Reece Holler holds her awards for winning first place for the 2022 Alluvial Private Wealth Forge Competition to support her business plan to renovate the Masonic Block on the Caledonia Square.

The Forge started in 2017 as a project of the Leadership Marion Class of the Marion Chamber. Past Forge participants have started or grown many local businesses, including A Taste of Memphis, Attaboys, the Explore-It-Torium Children’s Museum, PFM Fleet Service, Sweada Mae Art Café, Sights Unseen Travel and Spruce and Sparrow.

“We truly value and appreciate this sponsorship,” said Mike Stuckey, director of the Marion Technical College Foundation. “It’s a generous investment in Marion’s future.”

To sign up for Forge business classes, go to bit.ly/TheForge2023. For more information, call Mike Augenstein at 740-386-4138.

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: MarionMade!: Gary Ferriman shows his support for local entrepreneurs