Podcast Summary: Going Big! with Kevin Gentry

Episode Title: Going Big in Business, Public Policy, and Philanthropy: The Art Pope Blueprint
Date: August 25, 2025
Guest: Art Pope, Chairman & CEO of Variety Wholesalers; former NC State Budget Director; Philanthropist

Episode Overview

This episode features an in-depth conversation between host Kevin Gentry and Art Pope—a leader who has "gone big" across business, public policy, and philanthropy. The discussion traces Pope's journey from stewarding a family business into a retail powerhouse, to hands-on engagement in politics and public service, and finally to impactful, multigenerational philanthropy. Listeners are offered a detailed blueprint for leadership, risk-taking, evolving with the times, and giving back to future generations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Can You Still "Go Big" in Today's America?

Timestamp: 04:06

• Art Pope’s Optimism: Pope expresses his continued faith in the American dream, believing individuals can still achieve significant impact in business or personal pursuits despite current national concerns.
• Quote: "We have survived tough times in the past, and I continue to be a believer in American dreams." – Art Pope [04:15]

2. Going Big in Business: The Variety Wholesalers & Big Lots Story

Timestamp: 04:46–11:12

• Retail as the Ultimate Competition: Pope explains the ultra-competitive nature of the retail sector and the importance of finding a niche.
• Big Lots Acquisition: After Big Lots’ bankruptcy, Pope’s company acquired 200 stores and preserved about 5,000 jobs, aiming to combine Big Lots’ strengths with their Roses brand stores.
• The “Secret Sauce”: Not really a secret—success comes from teamwork, nearly 100 years of retail experience, and a unique store positioning: larger than dollar stores, more accessible than Walmart.
• Family Business Evolution: Pope’s father’s entrepreneurial journey begins in the post-Depression era, expanding from five-and-dime stores to larger formats, and adapting with changing times for long-term survival.

Memorable Quote:
“There’s no I in team... So the secret sauce really is not secret... We found a niche where we think we can excel and it's hard for others to duplicate.” – Art Pope [05:51]

• On Inheritance: Pope clarifies he did not inherit the business outright—ownership went to his mother in trust and then to charity. He earned his stake through active participation and leadership.
• Quote: “You can succeed by being the next generation in a family business. And so that's where I've been fortunate to do that.” – Art Pope [08:44]

3. Public Service and Policy—Bridging Business & Government

Timestamp: 11:12–25:04

• Early Political Engagement: Inspired by his family, Pope combined business and political science backgrounds, practicing law before entering politics.
• Hands-on Experience: Work with Governor Jim Martin provided formative exposure to both executive governmental functions and policy gaps, motivating him to ‘practice what he preached’ by running for office and working directly on government budgeting.
• Why Businesspeople Engage in Policy: Pope reflects that business leaders often get “pulled into” politics by regulatory overreach or threats to free enterprise, but he was unique in also having an early intellectual/philosophical engagement.

Quote:
“I do have strong beliefs on philosophy, on my principles that I want to see and how best I think America can prosper. But I also believe in practicing what you preach.” – Art Pope [12:45]

• Working Across the Aisle and Generations: Stories of working under a Republican governor in heavily Democratic North Carolina, the unusual career path bridging both political and commercial sectors, and the importance of consensus, compromise, and responsibility in public office.

4. The Art & Philosophy of Philanthropy

Timestamp: 25:46–34:15

• Family Roots of Giving: Pope’s parents, shaped by the Great Depression and WWII, believed in “giving back”—though Pope notes some philanthropists object to that term, viewing it instead as giving forward to empower future generations.
• Building a Foundation: The John William Pope Foundation was created to structure and channel the family’s giving across generations, supporting traditional philanthropy (food banks, education), but also creating and sustaining organizations like the John Locke Foundation for policy impact.
• Systems Perspective: Giving isn’t simply about direct aid (“teach a man to fish”), but also about building and preserving the social and legal systems (markets, rule of law) allowing people to thrive.

Notable Explanation:
“It’s not just ‘teach a man to fish’, but make sure that there’s a society where you can be free and prosper. That’s what my father wanted to help preserve and give back to future generations.” – Art Pope [30:19]

5. Discount Retail’s Societal Role & Free Enterprise

Timestamp: 34:15–37:18

• Serving Underserved Communities: Pope emphasizes the vital market role of discount retailers—connecting surplus goods to budget-conscious customers and facilitating broader access to essential products.
• Marketplace vs. Government Solutions: He critiques proposals for government-run alternatives (e.g., state grocery stores), arguing that market systems better allocate resources and respond to local needs.

6. Tariffs as Hidden Taxes on Consumers

Timestamp: 37:18–41:26

• The Math of Tariffs: Tariffs directly increase costs for American importers, leading inevitably to higher consumer prices or even shortages—especially damaging for low-income families.
• Quote: “Tariffs are taxes on the imported goods Americans choose to buy. Literally, when I import goods directly from abroad, I write a check to the US government.” – Art Pope [37:18]
• Knock-on Effects: Tariffs may result in product shortages, as shown by anticipated empty shelves for holiday goods.

7. Managing Multiple High-Impact Roles & Leadership Advice

Timestamp: 41:26–46:04

• The Importance of Team: Success comes from strong teams and effective delegation—but also vigilance, accountability, and maintaining partnerships with on-the-ground experts in philanthropy and business.
• Balancing Act: Pope admits that balance is difficult—family life can be neglected in the pursuit of business, public, and philanthropic goals.
• Quote: “If you want to go big, do something you really believe in and that you enjoy doing and hopefully you’re fairly good at it.” – Art Pope [42:46]

8. Privately Held vs. Public Companies—The Long Game

Timestamp: 43:17–46:04

• Privately Held Advantage: Pope underscores flexibility and long-term thinking as key advantages of family- and privately-held firms, compared to the quarter-by-quarter focus of publicly traded companies.

9. Measuring Progress in Philanthropy and Public Policy

Timestamp: 46:04–48:27

• Long-Term Vision Required: Impact in public policy often takes decades rather than years; Pope’s own experience underscores the need for patient, principled investment in societal and governmental change.

10. Wisdom for the Next Generation & The Value of Mentors

Timestamp: 49:01–53:00

• Family Matters: Don’t neglect family for career or public service; find and follow work you’re both good at and passionate about.
• Mentors: Early guidance and mentorship—from his father, campaign colleagues, and Governor Jim Martin—shaped Pope’s thinking and opportunities. Pope encourages seeking and, later, providing mentorship.
• Quote: “You never know how young you are when you find a mentor.” – Art Pope [51:31]

11. The Decade Ahead: A Call to Defend Freedom and Opportunity

Timestamp: 53:00–55:57

• Historical Perspective: Pope views American society as facing challenges matching the 1960s–1970s, with ideological threats from both the far left and right.
• Personal Mission: Pope aims for an America that remains free and prosperous, honoring the promise of the Declaration of Independence and expanding opportunity for all.
• Quote: “I want to continue to make sure that those benefits are available to everyone and we don’t see our freedom that we won so—that were so hard fought for—during the American Revolution, the United States Civil War, the Civil Rights movement, are not lost.” – Art Pope [55:36]

12. Advice for Going Big

Timestamp: 56:28–57:07

• Pursue Challenging Goals with Integrity: Take risks, choose work that’s meaningful and aligns with your values, provide for your family, and remember that real success uplifts others in the process.
• Quote: “Find something you really believe in. Be true to yourself and pursue that. And if you make yourself find successful doing that, you’re also going to benefit your family, your neighbors and everyone you do business with, everyone you engage with, the community you live in.” – Art Pope [56:44]

Notable Quotes

• “We have survived tough times in the past, and I continue to be a believer in American dreams.” – Art Pope [04:15]
• “We have that niche in between... more convenient to get to from the neighborhood, from the community than a Walmart store. But we are bigger than a dollar store, so we can offer a full range of merchandise at prices that are competitive.” – Art Pope [06:24]
• “When you do succeed...you have the opportunity to give, to give back, my father thought you should. And I learned that from my father, and I believe in that sincerely.” – Art Pope [27:29]
• “Tariffs are taxes on the imported goods Americans choose to buy. Literally when I import goods directly from abroad, I write a check to the US government.” – Art Pope [37:18]
• “If you want to go big, do something you really believe in and that you enjoy doing and hopefully you’re fairly good at it.” – Art Pope [42:46]
• “Don’t be afraid to take the risk. Go for it...Find something you really believe in. Be true to yourself and pursue that.” – Art Pope [56:28]

Key Timestamps

• 04:06: Can people still “go big” in America today?
• 04:46–11:12: The growth, strategy, and philosophy behind Variety Wholesalers and the Big Lots acquisition
• 11:12–25:04: Art Pope’s journey into public policy; lessons from working with Governor Jim Martin
• 25:46–34:15: The roots and philosophy of the Pope family’s philanthropy
• 34:15–37:18: Discount retail’s social value; free enterprise vs. government allocation
• 37:18–41:26: Tariffs’ impact on business and consumers
• 41:26–46:04: Leadership advice: teams, partnerships, delegation, and balance
• 46:04–48:27: Measuring progress in philanthropy and taking the long view
• 49:01–53:00: Mentorship, advice to younger self, and paying it forward
• 53:00–55:57: Pope’s worries (and hopes) for America’s future
• 56:28: Art Pope’s final advice for “going big”

Conclusion

This conversation with Art Pope offers a compelling, pragmatic, and principled roadmap to "going big" across multiple fields. It blends personal anecdotes, practical advice, and philosophical reflection—making it both an inspiring listen and a valuable source of actionable wisdom for entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, policymakers, and philanthropists alike.