PEMBERVILLE – Betty Kahlenberg hosted the first meeting of the program year at her home Sept. 13, when 18
members answered roll call by naming their favorite store.
Kahlenberg also had the program. She reviewed the book "L. L. Bean: the Making of an American
Icon" by Leon Gorman. The founder, Leon L. Bean, was a sportsman who never found waterproof boots
that could keep his feet warm. He designed his own boot, and marketed them as the Maine Hunting Boot
through a mailing sent to all non-resident Maine hunting license holders. With a guarantee, "your
money back if not completely satisfied" clause, he had 100 orders in no time. Ninety pairs came
back. They had fallen apart. Bean honored his guarantee and redesigned his boot.
Learning his lesson Bean built his catalogue business by thorough testing all of products, honest
advertising, and excellent customer service. This paid off; even through the Depression his sales
increased four times.
L. L. Bean has been in the forefront of sales innovation: computerizing their mailing list, building
their own retail stores, accepting credit cards, and establishing toll free phone numbers.
This family business is known for its generous employee benefits including on-site child care, fitness
centers and family sports camps.
The home store in Freeport, Maine has no locks on its doors for it is open 24 hours a day 365 days a
year.
