Why Ted Jones Didnt Take Edward Jones Public

Ted Jones–the son of Edward D. Jones Sr., founder of the financial-services firm that bears his name–wrote the following response when questioned why he was not interested in taking Edward Jones public and becoming a multi-millionaire.

    His rationale is a symbol of the company’s culture that still exists today.

• I am the richest man in America.

• I have a wife who loves me in spite of my faults.

• I have four dogs. Two love only me. One loves everybody. One loves no one, but still is very loyal and follows me everywhere I go on the farm.

• I have a horse I love to ride around the farm, and best of all she comes to me when I call her.

• I have too much to eat and a dry place to sleep.

• I enjoy my business.

• I love my farm and my home.

• I have a few close friends, and money has never been my God.

Edward “Ted” Jones
1925-1990