Robbie VanHoose, a stalwart businessman who grew Big Sandy Superstore into a giant in the furniture and appliance industry, is now a Hall of Famer.
VanHoose, a friend to the Ashland community for decades, was one of three new members inducted into the Associated Volume Buyers (AVB) Hall of Fame during the BrandSource convention on Monday in Dallas.
He started out working in his father’s business, learning the ropes in the warehouse. Barely out of his teens, he and a partner, John Stewart, bought the company when Robert VanHoose Sr. decided to retire young and raise horses instead.
“The only job I ever had was professional golf ball hunter up until about 8th grade and then my dad put me in the warehouse and that wasn’t all that exciting,” VanHoose said. “I started getting into sales in college. He said, ‘I’ll sell you the company. I know you’re a little young, so I’m going to sell it to you and John Stewart, who was 28, because you need a little maturity. But you can be CEO.’”
VanHoose said “that started the journey” as he and Stewart purchased three stores from his father. “That was 1976 and it was game on.”
The company started out as a local, grew to be a regional powerhouse and is now in six states.
VanHoose, who turned 70 earlier this month, said while he was working “9 to 9 and building a business,” his wife, Sandy, was bringing up their three sons. “She raised three great sons and now she’s a great grandma” to 10 grandchildren, he said.
His wife prefers to stay out of the spotlight even though Robbie has put her in a few television commercials against her better judgment. “I’ve gotten a lot of mileage out of her name being Sandy,” he said.
Meanwhile, Big Sandy Superstore has flourished in its markets with 30 stores selling more than $400 million in appliances and furniture.
“I’d like to say I was that smart or worked that hard, but I wouldn’t be honest if I said that,” he said. “It’s the grace of God. I don’t understand why He blessed us or smiled on us, but I sure do thank Him for His amazing grace.”
Big Sandy Superstore has become a powerhouse brand in the industry. And, thanks to VanHoose’s three sons – Trey, Stephen and Jonathan – it continues to operate as a family business operated out of Ashland.
As his boys were growing up, VanHoose coached or assisted on several AAU basketball teams that competed on high levels. All three sons played at the high school level and Jonathan had an outstanding college career, finishing at Northern Kentucky University.
While most know VanHoose the astute businessman, he has a softer side that isn’t always seen. He has been a man of second chances, hiring countless employees who many others had given up on, and watched them become success stories.
Not only that but he has given generously to Christian causes and missions, including Amy For Africa, and taken multiple trips to Uganda where his heart has melted around the children being educated by AFA. His kindness and love for the Ugandan children has been immeasurable along with his giving to the organization. VanHoose is a faithful member of First Baptist Church in Russell.
“Robbie has a big heart for the Ugandan children and we love and appreciate him so much,” said Amy Compston, the co-founder of AFA. “He’s a natural born leader and has been an important part of this ministry almost from the beginning. I cannot begin to count the number of lives he has touched in Uganda. God has used him in mighty ways.”
VanHoose is a shrewd businessman who worked daylight to dark building the Big Sandy Superstore brand. As a community partner, he has quietly contributed to causes or situations that are making a difference.
“When I think about my dad. I think about the ultimate competitor with the biggest heart,” said Jonathan, his youngest son. “Growing up, I didn’t fully understand what he was trying to teach us. It wasn’t until I matured that I realized my dad was teaching us that nothing in life will be given to you. That you have to work for everything. The other thing he taught us was to treat people the way we wanted to be treated – the golden rule, which is what Big Sandy was founded upon.
“His faith and his drive are inspiring. The best thing about dad is that he helps a lot of people and has done a lot of things in different communities that he never takes any credit for. He is man of integrity and faith, and I have never seen any circumstance shake that. It’s an honor to call him dad.”
Stephen Vanhoose, the middle son, said his father always pushed them to be the best at anything they did and constantly look for improvement.
“He’s a natural pusher. It started as kids in sports and naturally transferred over to business. When people talk about Kobe and Jordan mentality, he definitely has that, but his commitment to his morals and convictions are what ultimately make him the GOAT and a deserved Hall of Famer.”
VanHoose is certainly generous. When a local high school choir director approached him one December about purchasing music, he sarcastically asked her, “What do I get out of it?”
She said, “I don’t understand what you mean?”
He told her, “Well, they can sing, can’t they? Have them come out to the store on Saturday and sing Christmas carols for a few hours.”
She did and they got the music they needed.
Many who are down on their luck have come to him asking for a second chance. VanHoose has said he would rather be “0 for 20, than 0 for 0” and looked for a reason to give them a chance to succeed vs. no chance at all. While some do not succeed, many have gone on to work there for years, advancing from the warehouse to the sales staff and even beyond.
“Man, over the last 20 years I have seen him grow. Through everything we went through, he really grew and changed,” said Jonathan, who battled his own demons. “(He) Spent time at the prison (witnessing to inmates with friend Rob Barber). Learning and understanding. I think that’s the most impressive thing. He humbled himself when he saw he couldn’t fix me, and it changed him. It’s been really awesome to watch.”
The AVB Hall of Fame was created in 2019 to recognize those who have gone over and above in their service to the industry. The award took a one-year hiatus in 2020 due to the pandemic.
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