Elliot From Jordan's Furniture Eye Problem
If you're from the New England area, chances are you've heard of Jordan's Furniture. Known for their massive showrooms and unique attractions like IMAX theaters and indoor ropes courses, Jordan's has become a staple in the furniture industry. But what many people don't know is the inspiring story of Elliott From Jordan's Furniture and his battle with eye problems.
The Early Years
Elliott From was born in 1946 and grew up in the Boston area. In his early years, he showed a strong interest in business and entrepreneurship. In 1964, at the age of 18, he started working at Jordan Marsh, a department store that would eventually become Jordan's Furniture.
Over the next few years, Elliott worked his way up the ranks at Jordan Marsh. He was a natural salesman and quickly became one of the store's top performers. In 1968, he was promoted to manager of the furniture department.
The Eye Problems Begin
In the early 1970s, Elliott started experiencing problems with his vision. At first, it was just a minor annoyance, but over time it became more and more of a problem. He visited several eye doctors, but none of them could find anything wrong.
Finally, in 1973, Elliott was diagnosed with a rare eye condition called keratoconus. Keratoconus is a progressive eye disease that causes the cornea to thin and bulge into a cone-like shape. As a result, vision becomes distorted and blurry.
The Road to Recovery
For many people, a diagnosis of keratoconus would be devastating. But Elliott refused to let his eye problems hold him back. He underwent a series of surgeries to correct the problem, but each one seemed to make things worse.
Finally, in 1980, Elliott underwent a corneal transplant. The surgery was a success, and Elliott's vision began to improve. Over the next few months, he went through extensive rehabilitation to retrain his eyes and learn how to see again.
The Birth of Jordan's Furniture
Throughout his recovery, Elliott never lost his passion for business. In 1981, he left Jordan Marsh to start his own furniture store. He opened the first Jordan's Furniture in Waltham, Massachusetts, with just a handful of employees.
From the beginning, Jordan's Furniture was different from other furniture stores. Elliott's vision was to create a shopping experience that was fun and memorable, with attractions like the IMAX theater and the famous "Beantown" roller coaster.
The Legacy of Elliott From
Elliott passed away in 2016 at the age of 70, but his legacy lives on at Jordan's Furniture. Today, the company has seven locations throughout New England and employs over 1,400 people.
Over the years, Jordan's Furniture has continued to innovate and push the boundaries of what a furniture store can be. But at its core, the company still embodies Elliott's original vision of providing a fun and memorable shopping experience for its customers.
The Takeaway
Elliott From's story is an inspiring reminder that even in the face of adversity, we can still achieve great things. His perseverance and determination in the face of his eye problems are a testament to the human spirit.
And the success of Jordan's Furniture is a testament to the power of a strong vision and a commitment to innovation. Today, Jordan's Furniture stands as a shining example of what can be achieved when you refuse to settle for the status quo.