Today we’d like to introduce you to Steven Miller.
Hi Steven, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Came home from the service in 1969 started Selling scrap metal off the street pieces I would find around construction sites or discarded by homeowners. Met an old friend and started working at a company called a ball Trading company with my friend. We Work together from 69 to 1976 when I went across the river to Southeast Portland and started Hippo hardware with another friend Stephen Oppeniem. We started with an empty pickup truck and 5000 in an old building on SE 12th Ave. Stephen was a great ferret and brought in many great treasures that got us started. In 1990 we moved from our original location to a 30,000 square foot building on SE 11th Ave which we are located in today. Stephen retired a number of years ago and is now spending his time traveling and enjoying his retirement. Today I have a staff that is dedicated to growth and sustainability of the company. I am not as needed around the retail operation as I was previously. So now I get to enjoy a bit of semi retirement myself which I am enjoying thoroughly
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There have been many struggles along the way from dealing with the city Portland. Fighting with Workman’s compensation for a reasonable premium rate that will allow to stay in business and the restructuring of Portland’s transportation and roadway has changed our environment dramatically. We also have a very large homeless issue that we are constantly dealing with as these individuals come into the store requesting a number of services. We believe just because somebody has made bad decisions does not make them bad people so we do our very best to be able to help these individuals with their immediate needs. And when occasionally they request we will try to hook them up the social services so that they make a difference in their living arrangements and health
As you know, we’re big fans of Hippo hardware and trading Company. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Hippo Hardware was started before recycling was even a word in the a lexicon. but having been overseas and seeing disenfranchised hungry homeless people we wanted to make a difference in our community. We involved ourselves economically and politically in the social framework of Portland and helped establish a number of programs to benefit children Elderly hungry and homeless which we still are actively doing today. We sell what other people throw away and our motto is to recycle the past for a more livable future which we feel is very relevant in today’s environment
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
When I came home from the service I was a high school dropout and qualified to check the wrappers at Burger King and Burger King didn’t want us. If it wasn’t for the love and support of my late wonderful loving wife I don’t believe this company would exist. Most people think that Hippo was based on just hard work late hours and dedication but they forget the support consideration and love I received From my late wife.
Pricing:
- Our pricings are subject to change according to customers attitude
- Our pricing model based on the value of the object the work to make it marketable How far we had to go to retrieve the and the price that we paid. How far we had to go to retrieve
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.hippohardware.com
