Welcome! Friday, March 29, 2024 | Login | Register
   

35 Years Ago... They Said He'd Never Succeed!

Comment     Print
Related Articles
The man who wouldn't take no for an answer, everyone's favorite, Don Toney with sons Dean (left) and Bruce.
   This is a great story.  It's not about guns. It's about a man "who grew up very poor" and became determined to succeed. This is a story which is a shinning example of what Rutherford County needs more of - dedicated people who want a small business and are determined to make it happen!

   Don Toney has always loved guns. Thirty five years ago, Don decided to turn his hobby into a business. He worked at Golden Valley Mills and lived on Route 64 - 3621 to be exact. He built a 24x36 building (now 76 x 44) next to his house on Route 64 and opened a gun shop. When the folks he worked with at Golden Valley Mill heard about his new venture, they all told Don, "you'll never make it and you'll be back here at the mill very soon." They were very sure he'd "go broke".

   That was thirty five years ago and today Donald Ray Toney together with his two sons, Dean and Bruce, now have not one, but two successful locations in Rutherford County.

   If you ask Don if it was easy he will tell you an emphatic "no'! He stayed at the mill for a year while he was getting the gun shop established. His wife would cover for him while he was at the plant. He also worked twelve hour days. He would open the door for anyone and loved to help people. He still is the best at introducing women to guns and teaching them everything they need to know about guns. His gun shop even has pink handled guns. He's a very kind man and cares about people. His customers have been with him for years- some thirty five years. People come from miles around and out of state to see the man who knows his trade.

   Don is a good Christian. He is a proud and very active member of Crestview Baptist Church in Forest City. If not at the gun shop, you will see Don at Crestview every Sunday and Wednesday. He also collects clothes for coal miners kids in Kentucky and he and his wife Sarah drive there the second week in December to take them what is too often their only Christmas gift. Don has 3x5 index cards with the names and sizes of clothing the children need. He'll tell you about the time a little girl in a tattered sweater in freezing weather opened her package and found a new coat. She looked at Don and as her eyes sparkled, she smiled and said: "I have a coat! A nice warm coat!" That seems to say it all!

    These may be trying times, but the Don Toney story should inspire many people. It should be an outstanding example of what you can do, regardless of circumstances. Don is 70 1/2 years old and is always grateful for his success. Perhaps one of the best things he has accomplished thus far, is to impress everyone, when they know his story, that they too can succeed. He is a shinning example of what may be Rutherford County's future - small businesses, locally owned, who make a big difference.



Read more from:
Latest News
Tags: 
None
Share: 
Comment      Print

Powered by Bondware
News Publishing Software

The browser you are using is outdated!

You may not be getting all you can out of your browsing experience
and may be open to security risks!

Consider upgrading to the latest version of your browser or choose on below: