Bernie Marcus: An Entrepreneur’s Fight for America
Published: November 4, 2023, 9:29 p.m. ET
During my recent visit to Boca Raton, Florida, I had the privilege of sitting down with Bernie Marcus, the renowned entrepreneur, philanthropist, and advocate for free markets. Right from the start, Marcus made it clear that he had a lot on his mind and was in a particularly passionate mood.
“I’m feeling particularly pissed off,” Marcus declared. “This is going to be one hell of an interview.”
I assured him that I expected nothing less. Bernie Marcus is not just a co-founder of Home Depot, the iconic retail giant employing hundreds of thousands of Americans. His story goes far beyond that, starting from humble beginnings in Newark, New Jersey, where his family struggled to make ends meet.
“We were dirt poor,” Marcus reminisced. “All I wanted back then was to make $25,000 a year and provide for my family.”
But Marcus achieved much more than that. In the creation of Home Depot, he built not only a $150 billion-a-year revenue business but also immense wealth for himself and others. And he didn’t stop there. Marcus has dedicated a substantial portion of his fortune to charitable causes and supporting political candidates who share his belief in the power of free markets.
Although Marcus retired from Home Depot in 2002, he hasn’t spent his days idly on a beach. Instead, he continues to fight for the principles he holds dear. Through his free-market advocacy group, the Job Creators Network, Marcus champions the interests of entrepreneurs and small businesses, advocating for economic policies that promote growth and prosperity.
“I’m 94 years old now,” Marcus reflected, his concern evident. “I have the energy of a 60-year-old, but time is running out. If this country continues down the path it’s on, we’ll be no better than a Third World nation.”
Bernie Marcus is not one to mince words when it comes to his disappointment with the current state of affairs. He attributes much of America’s problems to President Biden, whom he refers to as a dunce and the most divisive president the country has ever seen. Marcus criticizes Biden for his lack of mental acuity and his policies, which have contributed to inflation and an unsustainable increase in federal debt.
However, Marcus doesn’t reserve his criticisms solely for Biden. He also voices his misgivings about former President Trump, acknowledging the positive impact of his policies but highlighting his inability to control his words and tendency to antagonize his opponents.
As we delve deeper into the discussions of politics, Marcus reaffirms his commitment to the future of America. He shares a personal story from his own life, illustrating why he believes this country is worth fighting for. After being fired from his CEO position at Handy Dan, Marcus found himself at a crossroads. It was during a conversation with financier Ken Langone that the idea of Home Depot was born.
“Ken said to me, ‘You just got hit in the ass with a golden horseshoe,'” Marcus recalls with a grin. Langone offered his support, bringing together investors to help Marcus start his entrepreneurial venture. Thus, Home Depot was born, growing into the behemoth it is today while Handy Dan faded into history.
Reflecting on the present, Marcus contends that starting a public company like Home Depot would be incredibly challenging today due to excessive regulations and what he refers to as “woke crap.” The pressure to please not just shareholders but all stakeholders, as well as the growing influence of ESG metrics, has made the business landscape unforgiving for entrepreneurs.
Yet, Marcus finds hope in the American people’s growing dissatisfaction with left-wing economic policies and corporate wokeness. He points to instances like Budweiser’s ill-fated decision to feature a transgender influencer in their ad campaign, which backfired and resulted in declining sales.
“The American people remember,” Marcus asserts. “They are worth saving from this progressive apocalypse that looms on the horizon.”
As our conversation draws to a close, it becomes clear that Bernie Marcus’s passion and determination are undiminished at the age of 94. He continues to invest his resources in bringing the right leaders to the forefront, fighting for the values he holds dear.
Don’t stop, Bernie. Don’t stop.
