Richard Meyer

Biography

Richard Edward Meyer was a visionary. He was diligent, loving, motivated, and most of all extraordinarily successful. Certainly one of the most victorious entrepreneurs of his time, according to his widow Julia Meyer” He was remarkable at everything he started”. Working with several successful companies ranging from fragrances to music, Meyer knew exactly what it took to survive in any type of business.

Richard Meyer was born on May 8, 1939 in Redding, Ohio. He graduated from Redding high school # 1 in his class. Richard was accepted Annapolis but being 6’7, he was considered to be too tall. He went on to accept a basketball scholarship for The University of Michigan. To supplement his income and pay for college he was server at the Delta Upsilon house in which he was a member. After graduating at the top of his class, Richard borrow money to start his advertising agency called Meyer and Rosenthal. Within two years of opening their small business, the company went from no revenue to $2 million. After great success in advertising, Richard wanted to retire and move to Mexico but one of his clients, Bernie Mitchell owner of Jovan insisted he become president and CEO of Jovan. Richard accepted the offer. Richard took Jovan from one product to twelve products. Under Richard’s leadership as head of acquisitions and mergers, sales of Jovan quadrupled and won many CLEO Awards for design, packaging and fragrances.

In 1985, after bringing the company from one product to 18 separate companies, Richard Meyer decided it was time to retire from Jovan and start something new. In 1985, he started Red Label Records. While owning Red Label Records, he thought of the idea to have the 1985 Chicago Bears perform the Superbowl Shuffle. He was a huge Bears fan and since they were having their first good season in more than a decade, he wanted to create a rap to get the city that he loved excited about the team. Being friends with Willie Gault, it was trouble-free for Meyer to locate 10 players and originate the dance, lyrics, music, etc. The video raised over $300,000 for the Chicago Community Trust. Richard Meyer passed away on August 18, 1992 in his loved city of Chicago, Illinois. Richard Meyer was a man that every person loved regardless of who they were and was extremely honored by the people of Chicago. From the employees in his plants to the President of the United States, he treated each person with equal reverence, which is why people cherished and appreciated him so much. Meyer also was extremely passionate about the city of Chicago loving everything about it; from the sports, to the people-he thought it was the greatest city on Earth. He started out as a small town Midwest boy with nothing and left having a great successful life.

Quotes

1."It’s not just about the people at the top; it’s about the workers that keep them at the top. 2.“You treat everybody the way you want to be treated” 3.“I Dress British and Think Yiddish!” 4.“He had a wonderful way of thinking outside the box.” Julia Meyer 5.“He was a pioneer of new ideas for Marketing.” Julia Meyer

Quick Facts

Height: 6’7 Weight: 208lbs Hair color: Dirty Blonde Eye color: Grey/Blue Nickname: Dick Nationality: German Occupation: Entrepreneur Athletic position: Basketball Athletic teams/organizations: Starter Michigan Date, place of Birth: Redding, Ohio Date, place of Death: Chicago Illinois Burial location (Ashes spread Portovollota, México Favorites food: Anything that tasted really fabulous.