The name Truett Cathy is very common in the news lately. He is the founder and CEO of Chick-fil-A, and the man who made a public stand for traditional marriage which started a media frenzy and publicized storm. The 90+ year old Cathy most likely had no intentions of starting the problem, but when faced with adversity, he stood his ground even when he knew it was not popular. As the Weekly Standard shares, Cathy was asked by members of the media if he supported traditional marriage. When he agreed that he did, many groups started a nation-wide boycott of his restaurant chain which soon dominated the news. The responding show of support was even larger, but do those on either side of the controversy know the whole story of Cathy and Chick-fil-A? It is a truly inspiring tale of triumph by standing for what he believes.
Birth of a Rebel Entrepreneur
In 1921, Cathy was born in Eatonton, Ga. His family was forced to move to Atlanta when he was still a small boy after a boll weevil infestation destroyed their farm. Since his dad, an insurance salesman could not make enough money to support Cathy and his brothers and sisters, Cathy’s mom took in boarders. Cathy, at the age of eight years old, started his first “business” by selling magazine and cokes door to door, opening a coke stand on their front lawn, and helping his mom with making beds, cleaning, and caring for their boarders. During his time in “business,” Cathy would learn customer service, hospitality, work ethics, and much more ideals that he would take with him as a business owner.