Today we’d like to introduce you to Tony Portugal.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Tony. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
The Last Inventory was a vision that the Lord gave me 4 years ago. It was a vision of a multi-million-dollar company that the Lord would use as a hub to love on people, build homes, and strengthen relationships – and we would do this through selling flooring and backsplash! Sounds weird, right? But it’s actually pretty amazing. I’ve quickly learned that the companies greatest value has NEVER been in currency. It’s about the people. My journey actually began 6 years ago, when I choose to sleep on the streets of Dallas with two other gentlemen from my church (one of which is now a company partner – Ryan Dotson). We wanted to see how we could connect with homeless men and women and learn their stories.
What I learned over that weekend deeply changed the way I perceived people. You know, sometimes we treat others like we treat Scripture, where we highlight the ones we like and then we just ignore the rest. But by ignoring or avoiding people who are not like you – yes, you may never have to deal with a Judas, but you also run the risk of never meeting a Peter or a John. Fast forward two years from that point – where we now bus homeless men and women to church. We started a hands-on life training class that teaches homeless men how to install flooring. EVERY Tuesday evening our church (Turning Point church of Desoto) does a homeless feeding downtown.
The third Saturday of EVERY month we take homeless men and women to the laundromat to wash their clothes. So, back to the vision the Lord gave me four years ago, I was sitting at the table with my wife who just finished her last two weeks of work. I just put in my two weeks’ notice at the church I was working at. Oh, and we just had our first son. We had $650 to our name. The bills were due in a few weeks. But pressing on my heart was this overwhelming realization that I was created for more. Yes, I have the ability to create the world I envision. A business that empowers lives. But the world and business I envision will only happen if I align my dreams with an unshakable faith. So, I decided to do what any good man would do. I took the last of our money (with my wife’s permission of course) and I started The Last Inventory.
The first lot of material that I bought actually only cost $600! It’s amazing! I went into it thinking to myself “what I can possibly buy with ONLY $650”. But my first lot of material only cost me $600. It was like God was telling me “what you thought you didn’t have enough of, was actually more than enough!” Within in one week. I sold that material and cleared almost $4000! In four years, we have grown out of my garage where we started and have grown into two buildings that total 16,000 sf. And we are in the process of opening up another location. But the best part is, all of our staff, whether homeless men, friends who need work, or future CEO’s. Success for us isn’t in the dollar amount. It’s about leading people to a place where they can be the most effective with their lives.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Hmmmm…. When your passion is helping people. Keep your eyes off the mirror – because it’s not about you. I suppose like anything, especially where money and success are involved its pretty easy to lose sight of your primary focus and goals – and make something that was never about you, all about you. Our accomplishments no matter how impressive they are, are not what makes us valuable.
Money/accomplishments are just a means by which were able to creatively connect with people here at The Last Inventory. Whether homeless ministry. Missions. Every Christmas we pick a family and renovate their home. We give back throughout the year through our 9:6 experience (giving generously). What is money to people who don’t have much of it? I think most people would rather be appreciated, than impressed. And I believe that throughout our companies journey we have done well in appreciating people and valuing where they are and who they are.
The challenges, however, have been watching homeless men that we’ve cared for dearly leave and go back to the streets. Those are some difficult moments especially when you invest so much time into their lives. But I don’t believe it was wasted time, I’d like to think that even in those seasons we still added value to their lives – hopefully, an eternal value.
Please tell us about The Last Inventory.
Well, The Last Inventory specializes in buying unused material from various resources; contractors, hotels, DIYers … etc. And then we turn around and we sell it at a fraction of the price of your Big Box Stores. For example glass mosaic backsplash you would see for $16 square foot and up everywhere else. We sell it for $6 square foot and under. All of our flooring, across the board, is significantly cheaper than everywhere else.
I love our company! And I am extremely proud of our staff! Customer service for us is absolute! People continue to come back to our warehouse not only because of our product but because what we as a company produce – value. What kind of value? Well, you’ll have to swing on by to find out!
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
July 17th, 2008. It was the day I met Christ. I wasn’t a child, but it was the day I was born again.
Pricing:
- Backsplash $6 sf and under
- Porcelain tile $.85 sf and under
- Vinyl Wood Plank $.60 sf and under
Contact Info:
- Address: 1502 S. I35E, Suite 270, Lancaster Texas 75146
- Website: www.thelastinventory.com
- Phone: 469-336-2757
- Email: thelastinventory@gmail.com
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-last-inventory-lancaster-2
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