Photo and Article by Fred Kroner
John Seversen’s life serves as a double anomaly.
The Mahomet resident has worked for the same company (Lawson Products, Inc.) for 47 years.
What’s even more unique is how he was paid: Seversen has always worked on a straight commission.
His status will change on Oct. 31.
Seversen, who will turn 70 in less than a month, has decided it’s time to retire from his job as a traveling salesman.
There’s a word for what he does.
“They call us entrepreneurs,” Seversen said. “It was a self-motivating thing.” Most people can’t believe it.”
***
When Seversen started working at Lawson in 1970, it wasn’t with the idea that he’d still be with the same company nearly a half-century later.
“Back then, I never thought about it,” Seversen said.
He never imagined being with the company in the first place.
When Seversen graduated from Embry-Riddle University in 1968 he had his private pilot, commercial and instrument licenses.
With his mechanical knowledge, he was planning on a career in aviation.
It never happened.
“The airlines weren’t hiring,” Seversen said. “They were taking guys back from Vietnam.”
***
Seversen spent two years as a flight instructor in Waupaca, Wis., before joining Lawson in research and development.
“They had sales meetings,” he said, “and I’d conduct the meetings. The salesmen said, ‘You need to go out to the field.’
“I listened.”
He entered the sales world in 1973 and had plenty of items to peddle.
“Lawson has close to 50,000 items,” Seversen said.
To list them would require the rest of this page — and beyond.
Examples include fasteners, hydraulic hose, electrical items, nuts, bolts, body shop items, specialty hardware and so much more.
For 44 years, his paycheck was a reflection of how much he sold. Workers on commission receive no other salary.
“Every day was a gamble,” Seversen said.
***
Seversen can recount details of his favorite vacation.
“A week in Hawaii and a week in California,” he said.
It’s an easy pick. It’s also his only extended trip since 1973.
“I took two weeks off (in 1977) and it took two months to catch up on my income,” he said.
“From 1973 to now, I’ve never had a paid vacation.”
It wasn’t all work, however.
“We’d take a Friday and a Monday as a family event,” Seversen said. “We’d take magnificent trips. That was something (wife) M.T. invented.
“We’d point the car west and go until we saw something unique. We’ve done that a couple times.”
The quality of time was more important than the quantity for M.T. Seversen.
“Three days (vacation) was fine,” she said. “He worked hard to make it happen. We had fun.”
***
Since 1987, Lawson’s territory was Champaign County.
He consistently made the rounds.
“Some guys would know I’d come every Tuesday, for some it was every other Tuesday and some I would see once a month,” he said.
The knowledge of when he’d arrive didn’t necessarily make it a successful trip.
“Some would make up a list for me,” he said, “but there was no guarantee they’d have an order waiting.
“I got to meet a lot of interesting people, but it was a crap shoot every day.”
In the field, his name was well-known.
As word started circulating about Seversen’s impending retirement, some long-term clients had a request.
“They said they’d known me for 30 years, but didn’t know what my last name was,” Seversen said. “My name in the industry is ‘Johnny Lawson.’ “
***
Seversen can thank Lawson not only for his occupation but also for his spouse.
They were both working for Lawson when they met.
It wasn’t unusual.
“Five couples met their spouse at Lawson,” he said.
Seversen said his wife of 45 years has been instrumental in his career.
“The biggest factor of who was a success was always ones with a supportive wife,” he said. “I had a lot of backing with M.T. She was my motivator and when the kids came along, it was even more.
“I get up at 5:30 in the morning and I go. Maybe it’s bred into you. My dad had his own business and my parents were self-motivated.
“I had two jobs until our daughter was born,” M.T. Seversen said. “It was what you did.”
***
“When I started, I was the 300th salesman,” Seversen said. “Now, we’re at 1,200 and the company is pushing $200 million in annual sales.”
He has endured a series of changes.
“I used to mail in orders, until 1979 or ‘80,” Seversen said. “Then three or four days later, the customer would get his stuff.
“Now I can write a 25-line order and send it in (electronically) at 2:30 and the customer gets it by 10 a.m. the next day. It’s amazing to me.”
The Seversens’ two children, Laura and Kevin, are each married to school teachers.
Laura Seversen’s husband, Ben Herriott, teaches in the Mahomet-Seymour district at Lincoln Trail.
Kevin Seversen’s wife, Katie, teaches at Rockwood Middle School, in St. Louis.
***
As John Seversen reflects, he said there are no regrets.
“I’ve been a lucky guy with a lot of cool experiences,” he said. “I’ve had an interesting life. I built two airplanes and sold them.
“If I had to look back, I don’t think I’d change a thing. I love cars and I love airplanes and I wish maybe I’d done a little more flying.”
There may a trip in Seversen’s near future.
When he wakes up in 12 days as a retired man, it might be time to travel.
“If there’s a place I’d like to go, it would be to Northern Wisconsin,” Seversen said. “It would be nice to have a cabin on the edge of the water.
“It might just happen.”
Thank you for this great article about “Johnny!” He’s my dear cousin, and our family is so proud of him. What a fine man, indeed, and you did a great job celebrating his achievement.