Prescription for Success: The Life and Values of Ewing Marion Kauffman

Ewing Kauffman grew up as a farm boy in Missouri. Ewing spent part of his early life  in the United States Navy.  After the military experience he married Marguerite, with whom two children, Larry and Marion were born. Ewing lived in Leawood for much of his life. The kids attended school in the Linwood School District, an early partner of the Shawnee Mission School District. Marguerite was a loving mother and wife, but she died early in Ewing’s business career. Ewing’s early fascination for the pharmacy business came from his job with the Lincoln Labs, a pharmaceutical company. As a part of the sales force he was credited with 20 percent of the company sales. His love for the industry prompted him to start his own Marion Laboratories from his Leawood home garage and basement. As his business grew rapidly he moved to a large establishment in Kansas City Missouri. It grew to great success. When Ewing started his business it was quite a gamble. He was not immune to gambling as he had won a lot of money gambling in the casino circuit. Ewing was an avid baseball fan and as his money increased he purchased the Kansas City Royals. The Kauffman Foundation has given much for the entertainment, society and business to the Kansas City Area and it continues to do so. Ewing Kauffman’s success in business resulted from  his philosophy of risk and using the changing environment as an invitation for his business changes and corporate challenges. This book is a tribute to a very successful entrepreneur from our Johnson County and his legacy of entrepreneurship to our society.