I still remember the first time I walked into a Staples store — aisles filled with neatly arranged stationery, tech gadgets, and that comforting scent of new paper and ink. As someone who loves organizing and office supplies, it felt like a dreamland. But here’s the thing — behind that experience was a man who changed the retail game in ways most people don’t even realize: Tom Stenberg, the co-founder of Staples.
The more I learned about him, the more fascinated I became. His journey wasn’t just about building a billion-dollar company; it was about creating an entirely new kind of shopping experience. And honestly, some of his ideas still inspire how I approach business and life today.
Who Is Tom Stenberg?
Tom Stenberg isn’t a household name like Steve Jobs or Jeff Bezos, but he’s had a massive impact on how we buy office supplies and think about convenience. He co-founded Staples Inc. in 1986, a company that grew from a single store in Brighton, Massachusetts, into one of the largest office supply chains in the world.
Before launching Staples, Tom was actually a marketing expert who understood what people truly needed — simplicity and accessibility. At that time, buying office supplies was complicated. You’d have to call multiple vendors, wait for deliveries, and deal with inflated prices. Tom saw the inefficiency and thought, “Why not create a one-stop shop for everything office-related?”
And that’s exactly what he did.
The Birth of an Idea: Turning Frustration into Innovation
What I find most relatable about Tom Stenberg’s story is how it all started with frustration — something most of us can connect with. The story goes that Tom was working on a business idea and needed to buy supplies. He realized there wasn’t a single place that sold everything he needed at a reasonable price.
That lightbulb moment led to the birth of Staples, co-founded with Leo Kahn. Together, they imagined a warehouse-style store dedicated to small businesses and everyday consumers — a concept that simply didn’t exist back then.
It wasn’t smooth sailing at first. Many people thought it was a crazy idea. “Who needs a supermarket for pens and paper?” they asked. But Tom believed in it. And within just a few years, Staples became a pioneer in big-box retailing for office products.
What Made Tom Stenberg Different
I’ve always admired people who combine practicality with vision, and Tom Stenberg did that effortlessly. He wasn’t just about making money; he genuinely wanted to solve a problem.
Here’s what made him stand out:
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Customer-Centered Thinking:
Stenberg focused on value and convenience. He realized that time was money — and businesses didn’t want to waste either. -
Innovative Retail Approach:
The warehouse-style layout of Staples wasn’t just about saving costs. It also created a feeling of abundance, where customers could find everything they needed in one place. -
Belief in People:
Tom valued his employees and encouraged an entrepreneurial mindset within the company. He often said that the best ideas came from people on the floor — those interacting with customers daily.
Those principles — empathy, innovation, and teamwork — are timeless lessons for anyone running a business or even just trying to make a difference in their community.
My Personal Takeaway from Tom Stenberg’s Story
As someone who’s worked in small businesses and startups, I’ve often faced the challenge of balancing customer satisfaction with business growth. Reading about Tom Stenberg’s journey reminded me that great companies aren’t built by chasing trends — they’re built by listening.
One tip I’ve applied from his philosophy is this:
“Don’t guess what people want — watch what they struggle with.”
I started paying closer attention to what my clients complained about or what slowed them down. That mindset shift helped me improve my services and, honestly, saved me from investing time in ideas that didn’t matter.
Another takeaway? Simplicity wins. Tom’s approach to making shopping straightforward taught me that complexity often pushes people away. Whether it’s designing a website or offering a service, keeping things easy and transparent builds trust faster than any marketing campaign.
Lessons We Can Learn from Tom Stenberg
If you’re an entrepreneur, student, or just someone looking for inspiration, Tom’s story is full of valuable lessons:
1. Solve a Real Problem
Tom didn’t create Staples because it sounded cool — he did it because he felt the pain of not finding what he needed. The best business ideas often come from everyday frustrations.
2. Believe in Your Vision
Even when investors doubted him, Tom stood by his idea. That resilience is something I try to channel whenever I’m second-guessing myself.
3. Adapt and Evolve
Staples didn’t stop at selling office supplies in stores. Under Tom’s leadership, it expanded into delivery services, e-commerce, and corporate solutions — long before “online shopping” became mainstream.
4. Empower Your Team
Tom believed leadership was about trust, not control. He created a company culture where employees were encouraged to take initiative. That’s a powerful reminder that success is rarely a solo journey.
Why Tom Stenberg’s Vision Still Matters Today
Even in today’s world of Amazon and digital marketplaces, Tom Stenberg’s influence is easy to spot. His “everything in one place” model inspired countless other industries — from hardware stores to online platforms.
Think about it: when you log into an e-commerce site and find categories neatly organized with delivery options and bundle deals — that’s the Staples blueprint. Tom didn’t just build a store; he built a concept that redefined convenience.
And I think that’s why his story resonates so much with me. It’s proof that when you see a problem and genuinely want to fix it, you can change an entire industry.
Final Thoughts
Tom Stenberg may not be a household name, but his impact is undeniable. He took something as simple as buying office supplies and turned it into a seamless, enjoyable experience that saved people time and money.
For me, his story is a reminder that great ideas don’t always start big. Sometimes, they begin with one simple question: “Why isn’t this easier?”
