In 1886, Richard Sears managed the railroad office in tiny North Redwood, Minnesota. Back then, the town consisted of only three houses.

Wholesalers in those days would ship on consignment, and if the product remained unclaimed, the freight agent would have the opportunity to buy it at a greatly reduced price.

Sears got his start this way selling watches. He then took his $5,000 profits and left the railroad business.

His advertisement for a watchmaker was answered by a man named Alvah Curtis Roebuck.

The pair went into business together, selling their wares via a mail order catalog for a company called Sears & Roebuck.