# Live Episode! The Home Depot: Arthur Blank

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2017-12-28
- Length: 32m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-12-28-live-episode-the-home-depot-arthur-blank

## Summary

Arthur Blank, co-founder of Home Depot, recounts how being fired from Handy Dan Home Improvement Centers by Sanford Sigoloff led him and mentor Bernie Marcus to launch a new, massive home improvement chain in Atlanta. Blank details the initial failure of the first two stores on opening day, the subsequent year of refining the business model through customer feedback, and the rapid scaling to $40 billion in revenue. He also discusses the importance of core values, balancing family life during hyper-growth, and his later acquisition of the Atlanta Falcons.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-12-28-live-episode-the-home-depot-arthur-blank#t=0) Introduction: Arthur Blank and the Home Depot Origin Story
- [3:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-12-28-live-episode-the-home-depot-arthur-blank#t=195) Childhood, Family Business, and Early Career
- [6:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-12-28-live-episode-the-home-depot-arthur-blank#t=410) The Handy Dan Era and Being Fired by Sanford Sigoloff
- [13:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-12-28-live-episode-the-home-depot-arthur-blank#t=786) Conceiving Home Depot and Choosing Atlanta
- [17:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-12-28-live-episode-the-home-depot-arthur-blank#t=1066) The Flopped Opening Day and Refining the Model
- [21:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-12-28-live-episode-the-home-depot-arthur-blank#t=1306) Scaling to $40 Billion and Core Values
- [26:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-12-28-live-episode-the-home-depot-arthur-blank#t=1587) Stepping Down, Bob Nardelli, and Buying the Falcons
- [30:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-12-28-live-episode-the-home-depot-arthur-blank#t=1823) NFL Anthem Protests and Final Reflections

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Home Depot (company)
- Handy Dan Home Improvement Centers (company)
- Dalen (company)
- Atlanta Falcons (company)
- Atlanta United (company)
- U.S. Bank (company)
- Sanford Sigoloff (other)
- Bernie Marcus (other)
- Bob Nardelli (other)
- Sam Walton (other)

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- [Rooting for the Home Team with Paul Freedman and Bryan Carmel](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2026-05-27-rooting-for-the-home-team-with-paul-freedman-and-bryan-carmel) (Oxide and Friends)
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## Citing this page

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