Living The American Dream

My latest book titled: "Living The American Dream" is a personal story about the spirit of American entrepreneurship. It takes place in the scenic area of the Great Smoky Mountains. It is how my parents, M. G. and June (Lloyd) Bell went from poverty to becoming millionaires! Of course, they reached their goals through hard work, determination, and goal setting. They sacrificed short term pleasures so they could reach their long-term goals. They married in June 1946. By 1952 they had all five of us children. I'm the youngest one, and I'm Patricia A. (Bell) Jordan.

My parents told us they were so poor when we were being born that local churches would leave boxes of food on our doorsteps! By the mid-fifties my Dad found his "true calling" of being a salesperson. He started with a route sales/ delivery job. After becoming successful at that, he then went into full time sales. Dad was doing okay at sales in restaurant equipment, and my Mother worked at a manufacturing job. But, they couldn't reach their goal of home ownership.

So, in 1964, they took a gamble. They moved our family of seven from Asheville, NC to the Cherokee Indian Reservation. My mother began selling souvenirs in a small craft shop there, during the summer months. At that time the tourist area on the Reservation was busy from Memorial Day to Labor Day. After that it was pretty much over with, except for the Canadian "snowbirds" that would travel through the Smoky Mountains on their way to Florida.

By 1967 my dad decided that the "big money" was in wholesaling souvenirs. That year he launched a new wholesale business he called, Cherokee Sales Inc. It involved taking some big financial risks to get it up and going. My Mother quit the shop by then and "teamed up" with Dad in his new business venture. It really took both of them to organize his idea into the successful business it became.They prospered as the business grew. By 1989 they built the blue warehouse that is across from Smoky Mountain Elementary School on 441N, which is about 5 mi from the Cherokee Indian Reservation. They never employed more than about seven people.

But, written throughout the book are smaller inspiring stories that lead up to the main story. I start with a brief look into the lives of my grandparents. My maternal grandfather had uncontrollable seizures, and never owned a vehicle after the late forties. But, he stayed busy as a house painter. He, and my grandmother also farmed about half of their fifteen acres in Murphy, NC.

My paternal grandparents lived in Knoxville, TN. My Dad's mother was widowed three times, but still succeeded at raising her four children to be responsible adults.

I include a story of how I overcame stuttering in the 3rd grade. I never talked much before that year. And didn't want to then, either. But, my third grade teacher patiently worked with me and eventually got me talking, plainly enough.

If you want to be inspired I hope you will choose to read my book!