Jacob "Jake" Jabs
Jake Jabs is the President and CEO of American Furniture Warehouse.
The fourth of nine children, Jabs was born and raised in rural Montana, and his parents were immigrants from Russia and Poland. Jabs credits his family for providing him a strong work ethic, a sense of family and a love of music. In fact, this long-time musician’s entrepreneurial career began in guitar sales. Then, after a stint selling electronics in the early 1950s, Jabs’ first serious venture into the furniture business came in 1968 when he opened Mediterranean Galleries, a high-end furniture store with locations in Denver, Colorado Springs, Pueblo and Billings, Montana.
Five years later, the Mediterranean trend in home furnishings ran its course and Jabs chose to close the Galleries. Not long after, Jabs came across an opportunity that would become his life. In 1975, he purchased a one-location, struggling furniture business, called American Furniture Company – which he then renamed to American Furniture Warehouse.
Under Jabs’ leadership, American Furniture Warehouse has expanded into an eleven-store operation that has experienced a remarkable growth trend over the years. As he has been since the beginning, Jabs is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the company and also oversees the company’s team of buyers. Today, American Furniture Warehouse is one of the top retail furniture companies in the U.S. and the largest privately-held businesses in Colorado.
The self-taught businessman credits American Furniture’s success to “the basic American philosophy of hard work, long hours, self confidence, the courage to take risks, and the desire to give value and service to every customer."
An active member of the community and philanthropist, Jabs lends his support to a number of non-profit organizations. He serves as National Vice-President of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and is actively involved with Easter Seals, the Children’s Hospital, Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, American Heart Assoc. and numerous other causes.
Jabs is the recipient of many honors and awards, including:
In addition, he has written numerous articles, including "Free Enterprise and the Land of Opportunity" and "We Must Save Small Business," as well as articles on Russia and Poland. His autobiography, "An American Tiger," was published in 2000 and is available online at www.afwonline.com or at any of American Furniture Warehouse’s locations as well as his latest book published in 2011, Thriving in Tough Times.
The fourth of nine children, Jabs was born and raised in rural Montana, and his parents were immigrants from Russia and Poland. Jabs credits his family for providing him a strong work ethic, a sense of family and a love of music. In fact, this long-time musician’s entrepreneurial career began in guitar sales. Then, after a stint selling electronics in the early 1950s, Jabs’ first serious venture into the furniture business came in 1968 when he opened Mediterranean Galleries, a high-end furniture store with locations in Denver, Colorado Springs, Pueblo and Billings, Montana.
Five years later, the Mediterranean trend in home furnishings ran its course and Jabs chose to close the Galleries. Not long after, Jabs came across an opportunity that would become his life. In 1975, he purchased a one-location, struggling furniture business, called American Furniture Company – which he then renamed to American Furniture Warehouse.
Under Jabs’ leadership, American Furniture Warehouse has expanded into an eleven-store operation that has experienced a remarkable growth trend over the years. As he has been since the beginning, Jabs is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the company and also oversees the company’s team of buyers. Today, American Furniture Warehouse is one of the top retail furniture companies in the U.S. and the largest privately-held businesses in Colorado.
The self-taught businessman credits American Furniture’s success to “the basic American philosophy of hard work, long hours, self confidence, the courage to take risks, and the desire to give value and service to every customer."
An active member of the community and philanthropist, Jabs lends his support to a number of non-profit organizations. He serves as National Vice-President of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and is actively involved with Easter Seals, the Children’s Hospital, Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, American Heart Assoc. and numerous other causes.
Jabs is the recipient of many honors and awards, including:
- American Legion Community Service Award
- American Red Cross Community Heroism Award
- Businessman with a Heart
- Colorado Easter Seals’ Champion Award
- Colorado Veterans of Foreign Wars Citizenship Award
- Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year
- InFurniture’s Retail All-Stars
- Montana Small Business Person of the Year
- Montana State University Alumni Award
- Muscular Dystrophy Association Humanitarian Award in Honor of 25 Years of Dedication
- National Home Furnishings Association Retailer of the Year 2000
- 2005 Colorado Top Company Award
- InFurniture’s 2006 Retail All-Stars
- Denver Business Journal 2007 Power Book Industry Leader in Category of Retail & Marketing
- Furniture Today’s Retail Giants of Bedding 2007
- Furniture Today’s Retailer of the Year 2007
- 2010 Montana State University announces the naming of the Jake Jabs Center for Entrepreneurship for the New West
- Just to name a few…..
In addition, he has written numerous articles, including "Free Enterprise and the Land of Opportunity" and "We Must Save Small Business," as well as articles on Russia and Poland. His autobiography, "An American Tiger," was published in 2000 and is available online at www.afwonline.com or at any of American Furniture Warehouse’s locations as well as his latest book published in 2011, Thriving in Tough Times.
