Harford Business Ledger

June's Featured Manager: Jim Pry

Pry says, ""First impressions are lasting impressions"

Name and title: : Jim Pry, owner and operator of Sarge’s Specialty Shop, which has locations on both areas of the Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) and a new one on Parke Street in Aberdeen.

Personal background: Pry was born in Mansfield, Ohio and grew up in Shelby, Ohio. He moved to Scottsdale, AZ in his senior year of school, joining the U.S. Army after graduating from high school. He finished college in the Army, graduating with a bachelor of science in sales and marketing from Columbia College in Missouri.

Professional background: During 22 years in the Army, Pry served in Korea, Germany Vietnam and APG. He was an Army recruiter stationed in Bel Air from 1971 to 1978 and in Elkton from 1978 to 1981. He retired from the Army in 1985 working at APG as a civilian payroll tech from 1989 to 1999. Pry formed Top Sarge, Inc., in 2006 opening Sarge’s Specialty Shop in the main post exchange at APG. He also has a small trailer in front of the troop store on the Edgewood Area of APG. He opened a new store at 36 N. Parke Street in Aberdeen in April. It carries custom jackets, Western wear, gifts, military boots, Girl Scout and Young Marine items.

Keys to success: Treating each customer as you would like to be treated is important, said Pry. “I am proud of the fact that I believe that if a customer really wants a certain item, service or assistance that a business owner should try to do everything possible to provide the product or service,” he said.

“If you let a customer walk out of your business without buying that customer will go some place else and buy it,” said Pry, who also noted his efforts would not be successful without the support of his wife and friends.

Goals: : “I would like to see this shop become successful and maybe open additional stores in the other parts of the county,” Pry said.

Advice: Pry said the best advice he could offer would be to treat employees and customers with respect. “Without good employees you will not see customers return to purchase products or services,” Pry said, adding, “First impressions are lasting impressions. Remember, each person knows 250others and if they feel good about your business and the treatment they got they will tell others.”

What could be done to make business more successful: “Customers,” said Pry.

Photo caption: Jim Pry, owner and operator of Sarge's Specialty Shop, has opened a new location off-post, in Aberdeen.