Sept & Oct Mailer

WORD FROM EARL OWEN

BATSON

Lisa Batson, Earl’s daughter, outside of the old building on Hall St. before her June 2000 wedding to Tom Batson.

Earl & Shirley Owen attending a SEMA show.

In 1952, Earl Owen had a vision. A car enthusiast his whole life, he started a small upholstery shop on the outskirts of downtown Dallas. As the 1960’s ap proached, Earl expanded the upholstery shop to include automotive accessories. Earl is quoted as saying, “I think the pickup truck is going to be a big deal.” His foresight was amazing. According to Forbes, “Light trucks made up 57.2% of total U.S. vehicles in operation at the end of the third quarter of 2021.” That

number is expected to grow. Throughout the years, the company has drawn on the input of several family members. Earl was lucky to have a wife like Shirley. Working day and night, she provided the backbone of the business by taking care of the employees and keeping the books. It is said that she could chew gum, bang out numbers on the adding machine, and bounce a baby on her knee all at the same time.

Shirley Owen started a trend. As the

years have passed, generations of Owens have juggled family responsibilities and business commitments. Traditional business and family values are still alive at Earl Owen Co. today. They are reflected in the company’s core values of integrity, service, and family. The company is hon ored to have served their customers with integrity for 70 years and look forward to seeing what the future holds.

Earl Owen in 1960’s

Family Left to right: Sheri Owen, Earl Owen, Lisa Owen Batson, Shirley Owen, & Richey Owen

The first building erected in 1952 off Hall St. in Dallas, TX. Left: Sheri Owen, Right: Richey Owen

Follow along as Mrs. Earl Owen (Shirley) recounts some of her fondest memories of how Earl Owen Co. planted their roots in Dallas, TX.

were going to do. A few weeks later a man from Fair Park visited Earl and said, “ I heard you have some seat belts. I have all these rides that need seat belts all over the country.” and bought every seatbelt they had and kept them in business.

AUTO ACCESSORIES

IN THE BEGINNING

Shirley recounts that Earl was released from the Army in 1947 where he went to live with Shirley in Dallas. Shirley’s brother told Earl about a place to work where they would teach him how to make seat cover so he took the job and learned the trade.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Shirley tells us that one day, Earl said to Shirley, “You know, I think can go in business for myself. There’s a guy over at Texas Auto Radiator that has a space for rent, I’d like to rent that and try it.” Shirley said, “Go for it!” and the rest is history.

FAIR PARK

Shirley tells us of a time when every car had to have seat belts. Earl saw the op portunity and tried to capitalize on it. Earl said to Shirley, “ I can sell seat belts.” So he purchased a truckload. After Earl ac quired the seat belts cars started coming off the factory line with seat belts already installed so the need had died off. Earl and Shirley didn’t know what they

Shirley recounts that in the business, at that time, a trimmer was the low man on the totem pole. Established businesses didn’t like the idea of guy that had a seat cover shop getting into the accessory business. Earl was determined to get his foot in the accessory business. So, Earl & Shirley went to Las Vegas to attend the SEMA Show and talk business. They met many people, but only one man was will ing to sell to Earl under the circumstances that he buy a truck load of floor mats from him. So, Earl took the deal. Once Earl paid off the truck load more and more manufacturers wanted his business setting the foundation for the company to grow.

LOGO EVOLUTION

ESTABLISHED IN 1952

1960 - 1990

1990 - 2006

2006 - 2022

THE SECRET TO EARL’S SUCCESS

Shirley said, “The secret to Earl’s success was his hard work ethic and honesty. Earl had a reputation of being honest, if he told someone he would do something, he would do it. Plus, he always had good merchandise, and the ability to know how to buy and how to sell.”

Earl Owen and Shirley Owen in 1947

Sewing machine in the first building off Hall St.

Building on Hall Street show in the illustration on the cover.

Ray Morisson answering phones with Earl talking to Joe in the background