Publishing Dreams
An Interview with Marvin Wengerd:
Amish Business Owner: Printing & Publishing Company
(September 3, 1998)
Meet Marvin
Marvin (33) grew up on an Amish farm with a father who was a blacksmith, an occupation that allowed Marvin exposure to many people. This interest in people led him to work for a nursing home as a grounds keeper at age 18. He rose to the position of personnel director there before eventually quitting to open his own printing company. He began first as a worker, working close with the owner with the understanding that someday he would buy the company and take over the reigns. At the time it was a four person business operating our of a barn. Six years later, Marvin runs and operates a very successful independent printing and publishing company and finds himself striving to take it even further.
To me, business is not machines and money, it's people. When I am successful with people, I am successful. In a nutshell, that's how I define success. 
Success Is...
I used to define success by my role models which were millionaires and I don't consider that success anymore. To me, business is not machines and money, it's people. When I am successful with people, I am successful. In a nutshell, that's how I define success.
I laugh at businessmen who think that the moment they buy a new machine, it will guarantee success. To me you haven't reached success until you have excellence with people. That's the only thing that's really, really, really important. I can do anything after that as long as I can do that. Until you have excellence with people your success will be nominal.
Success to me is big. You have to strive to be able to leave a legacy to others, your children, brothers.
If you've become a billionaire, but lost your wife and family that cannot be considered successful. You've lost more than you've gained.
Balance
Balance is real important. If you've become a billionaire, but lost your wife and family that cannot be considered successful. You've lost more than you've gained. The best thing that happened for me is that my wife and I agreed that for a time I would work 14 hour days. She knew this and all of us can stand unpleasant things if we know that it is coming to an end.
You can go anywhere if you don't care where you start. Too many young people today care where they start.
Starting From Anywhere
You can go anywhere if you don't care where you start. Too many young people today care where they start. They want to start where Dad stopped or Grandpa stopped.
Human happiness comes from your relationship with Jesus Christ. I make no bones about it. I don't think there is a term of human happiness outside of that. After that then it's a matter of finding God's will for your life, be it a rocket scientist or farmer...
I have a pretty firm direction, but I would change if the Lord wanted me to. I have goals and I've missed a couple, but I'm moving ahead.
I've had some of the worst days making the most money in my life. It has nothing to do with money. It has a lot to do with family and relationships..
Happiness
Happiness is a choice. It has nothing to do with how much money you have or how successful you are. Happiness is having a clear conscience and being right with God and your fellow man. I've had some of the worst days making the most money in my life. It has nothing to do with money. It has a lot to do with family and relationships..
© Copyright Chris Moeller & Brian Ardinger, 1998
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