A centenarian from New Jersey talks about what motivates her to continue working more than 50 hours a week at her family's company.
Miriam Todd, 100, said her faith has always guided her.
“My faith is everything,” Todd, a Stratford resident, told FOX Business.
“God has a plan and a purpose and I'm here to follow it. That's the basis of everything I do. People say I'm lucky. No, I'm blessed with enough energy to get up at home in the morning and go to work.”
Todd's parents opened Nerigs Furniture in Stratford in 1929.
Todd said that when he was younger, he would hand out fliers around town.
“We went door to door,” Todd said.
“That was in the early days, but we were being paid to be part of the business.”
Todd said when she graduated from high school in 1941, her father wanted her to work somewhere else for a year before joining the family business.
She did so, returning as Nehrig's bookkeeper in 1942, and they were married in 1944.
Todd and her husband were away for some time before her husband was called up to serve overseas in World War II.
“I was working here and my husband came back in 1946 and we had our first child,” Todd said.
“I was fortunate to be able to stay home with my children and raise them, and then I came back full time in 1975.”
Todd's primary role has always been bookkeeping and accounting, but he enjoys interacting with clients.
“Our customers are like our family. My parents celebrated their 50th anniversary in business and we always stressed that our customers are family.”
She said customer satisfaction is key and putting the customer first is always the goal.
“The customer comes first,” Todd said.
“That was my father's philosophy. The customer who comes through this front door is our boss. We have to understand that. We're not here to sell you anything. We're here to help you buy what you want to buy. And it's working.”
Todd believes that's why Nerigs is now a fourth-generation store owner selling furniture to a fourth-generation buyer.
“It's great to be able to go to work with my son and my grandsons every day,” Todd said.
“My two grandchildren are here every day, my son and my granddaughter. We're here over 50 hours a week.”
Bob Todd said his mother's legacy formed the foundation of the business.
“Any business is a tough business these days,” he told FOX Business.
“There are a lot of challenges. We'll be celebrating our 95th anniversary in July and if we treat our employees well, they'll come back. But it's worked out well and I think that's what's kept us going. For us, it's great to be in business with the fourth generation,” Bob Todd added.
While going to work with your family every day for decades may not be for everyone, the Todds agree that it works well for them.
“We have a beautiful and loving relationship,” Miriam Todd said.
“And when problems arise, we solve them. Just proceed with love, just as the parents would have wanted.”
“Faith was a big part of what my mother gave to our family,” Bob Todd said.
“She put God in my life, [I] “Thank God,” he said.
“And I thank him every day for her. With the foundation that she's built for us, she's obviously an inspiration to all of us. The way she works and the way she does things is incredible.”
Miriam Todd said she believes several lifestyle habits help keep her healthy.
“I try to eat right and sleep right,” she said.
“I don't drink alcohol or smoke. I've avoided harmful things. [being] It's all about the blessings.”
Todd, who lives with his son, says he'll never lack energy, even at 100 years old.
“I'm an early riser,” she said.
“Like this morning, I've got some cauliflower ready for dinner tonight. I cook it in the morning because by the time I close up shop at 7 and get home, I don't want to start making dinner.”
Bob Todd said his mother was an inspiration to the whole family.
“This woman just keeps going,” Bob Todd said.
“Her energy is incredible. Her wheels have slowed a little, but her mind hasn't slowed down. Her mind is still super sharp.”
Her family had a huge 100th birthday celebration, including her children, and she was visited by many of her closest lifelong friends from near and far.
A long-time patron created a special birthday cake decorated with chocolate furniture, while another friend sent 100 roses to mark her 100th birthday.
The Oakland Baptist Church, celebrating its 120th anniversary, also celebrated Todd's birthday, and the mayor presented both men with a proclamation.
When Todd isn't working, attending church, or cooking for his family, he enjoys swimming and cheering on his favorite Major League Baseball team, the Phillies.
“Especially Bohm at third base,” she said.
