C. David McVay’s Biography

- I would do almost anything to get my own way (probably selfish partially because I was an only child from elderly parents). If my parents had been wealthy, I would have been a completely spoiled brat.
- I was a good reader and began to learn the concept of critical thinking at an early age. I read the Bible, comic books, animal books such as all the Black Stallion collection by Walter Farley, and Popular Dogs, etc. I have always been in love with dogs and horses.
- My first goal was to own a horse. I knew that my parents could not help me financially, nor did we have a stall to keep the horse. I needed to make money and find a location for the horse. I sought the counsel of my parents and they recommended I sell “All Occasion Cards” and at Christmas time, sell “Christmas Cards”. I hooked up with a card company and started walking door to door near my house. With no idea of what to say, I simply said to the person who answered the door “Would you like to buy all occasion cards? They said no and I walked to the next house. I got the same answer for two hours. Tired and defeated, I went home. My parents asked me how I did and I told them “Good, I just need to work on my presentation”. My simple presentation was a hit. Here it is….Would you like to help me buy my first horse by purchasing a box or two of these beautiful All Occasion Cards? This presentation is great when your age is between 7 and 12 years old. I sold more cards that year than any other salesperson.
- I saved $52.00 and bought an old gelding for $27.00 from neighbors. They had extra stalls and agreed to feed “Butch” twice a day if I paid for the feed.
- I started selling the daily newspaper at a bar by the name of The Chandelier with a large rooster on top of the building. The bar was located at the front of Southgate Shopping Center on 6th Avenue. I found that people drinking were extremely generous if you had a presentation and were kind. Butch became a fat horse until his death. (There is nothing better looking than a chunky quarter horse).