Chief Humility Officer.

My Dad was born during the Great Depression and lost his Dad at a young age. His widowed Mom, Minnie, raised him and his older brother Ernest on a shoestring budget, but with a lot of love. Even when she didn’t have spare change for the boys to go to the movies or get a burger, she always had a dime for someone in need. This spirit of kindness and generosity lives on at Ernest to this day.

Chief Selflessness Officer.

Dad followed his brother Ernest’s lead by enlisting in the Army during WWII. During a battle in Germany, he got hit with shrapnel. But even when he was injured, he still brought six soldiers to safety. For his bravery, he was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.

Chief Garage Officer.

When my Dad got home from the war, Ernie met him at Union Station. He gave him a hug and something else: a business card that read, “Ernest Paper Company.” That’s how this whole thing started, with two brothers in a one-car garage and a crazy dream that one day they’d build it even bigger. I’m happy that my Dad can now tell Ernie just how well the dream is going.

Chief Papa Officer.

My sister and I came into the picture after my Dad married my mom Betty in 1954. He was truly my hero, having survived the loss of his father at a really young age, miraculously coming home from WWII. Whenever there didn’t seem to be a light at the end of the tunnel, he persevered. He’ll remain my inspiration for the rest of my life.

Chief Philanthropy Officer.

Just like his Mom Minnie taught him, my Dad dedicated his life to giving back to others. Whether it was through JVS SoCal, his mentorship to others or through the other charitable organization we partner with here at Ernest, he knew what it was like to come from nothing. Which made him always give something back. He probably said it best himself, “When you can help someone, that’s the best thing in the world.”

Chief Longevity Officer.

We’ve known Mr. Wilson for many things here at HQ in LA. He was a push-up king, he was a soft-shoe dancer and he loved old blue eyes, Frank Sinatra. But the most incredible thing is that he was still going to work at 100. Sure, to oversee the business and sit on the board. But mainly to see all of you. His proudest accomplishment was having people smarter than him who were truly working with and not for Ernest.

Chief Farewell Officer.

Yes, this is a sad time for me. But it really should be a celebration. That’s what my Dad would have wanted. Stay tuned on The Insider and our social channels for our Mr. Wilson tributes. And remember, no matter what your title is here at Ernest, we can all live by the example my Dad gave us. Help other people when they’re in need, be humble and remember that every day is a gift.

I love you, Dad. Say hi to Mom and Ernie for me.

—Tim

We know Mr. Wilson as the lovable, hard-working, push-up pounding head of our company, but did you know he was also a practicing attorney for over 70 years? After returning home from Europe and going into business, Charles went back to school, earning his Juris Doctor (JD) from USC Gould School of Law in 1950.

That was 75 years ago. To celebrate his milestone birthday this June, the USC Gould School of Law wrote an article about “possibly the oldest living USC Gould alumnus,” titled, “Business chairman and retired attorney, still going strong at 101”. 

In it, Mr. Wilson says his law degree helped him be a better business man, because, “You have to understand people in order to build a business.” That certainly seems to have worked. Under his watch, Ernest has grown from a small garage with just two employees to operating 17 locations with over 600 employees across the country. 

Given his impressive resume, it’s no surprise that Mr. Wilson has seen his share of accolades. In addition to this article, he was featured on local Los Angeles KTLA News for his 100th birthday. He led the pledge of allegiance at the swearing in of LA’s newest district attorney. And he was even honored by the LA Dodgers a few years back, when he was a spritely 98.

Mr. Wilson says the secret to his long, successful life is luck, but we think we’re the lucky ones. Everyone at Ernest is eternally grateful to and proud of Mr. Wilson, not just for starting the company, but for shaping our values from the very beginning. Hard work. Helping others. And self-discipline. Thank you, Charles. We salute you!

When it came to celebrating Charles Wilson’s centennial birthday, there was no way we were going to go small. Especially for the man who started from nothing, became a decorated sergeant in WWII and still to this day gets up every day to go to work. He’s a true inspiration to us all. So since our Chairman and CEO has been on Earth for 36,500 days, you can be damn sure he’s pretty much seen it all—from sliced bread to man walking on the moon. Which means we had to throw a never-before-seen party. Something that Chuck and the rest of us would remember for the rest of our lives. And on Friday, June 14, boy did we deliver.

600+ IS A PRETTY GOOD TURNOUT

All 15 divisions had parties of their own to celebrate our co-founder, then dialed into the Zoom. After an intro from Tim and a wonderful speech from Charles’ grandson, Henry, the whole crew sang Happy Birthday to Charles. From Raleigh to Houston, SLC to SLO, Ernest rang in the event like only we can. We even had guests from north of the border, as Charles’ Canadian cousins were in attendance. We all had an afternoon of fun to honor our resident birthday boy. And what would a birthday be like without presents? First, we bestowed Chuck with another prize to go with his vast collection of commendations. This one was unique, though, because it was a bronze coin emblazoned with his own words, “Every day is a gift.” Next, he received a framed collage from the Ernest CMO, Scott Gardner, with a badge in the center that read, “100 Reasons We Love Mr. Wilson.” Last but not least, he was presented with a video tribute titled, “They Call Him Chuck.” Check it out, here.

WHO ORDERED THE DANCE FLOOR?

We did, of course. After the presentation, it was time for lunch and to hit the dance floor. Lunch was centered around the not-so-delicious food of the depression: meatloaf, beans and pickles. But the humble spread was offset by a delicious dessert of candy bars and cookies. Then to top it all off? The entertainment. Since Charles has always loved the old nickel-a-dance back in the ‘30s and ‘40s, we thought it’d be perfect to keep the music going from that era for the birthday bash. With live music by Douglas “The Crooner” Roegiers and his orchestra, our very own Mr. Wilson got a chance to belt out a few tunes. Plus, he took a foxtrot down memory lane to the Santa Monica Pier where he and his brother Ernie used to dance the nights away. We even brought in swing dancers dressed from the era to help the rest of us remember the steps.

THE ERNEST WALK OF FAME

Aside from the fact that we all got a chance to celebrate right along with Chuck for his 100th birthday, there was one more momentous moment. To memorialize all of his achievements and legacy, we thought it only fitting to create a true Hollywood premiere event. In the Hollywood Boulevard tradition, we had Chairman Charles put his handprints in wet cement and sign his name above. The paparazzi came in droves and we got some great press, including KTLA interviewing Mr. Wilson and Tim, as well as news articles posted in the Boston Globe, Yahoo Finance, Morningstar, etc. We were fortunate enough to get the company that actually produces all the stars on Hollywood Blvd to create two of our own special stars for our newly created Walk of Fame. Although, of course, our stars are chevrons. And while we’re super excited to recognize all those that have made Ernest so special throughout the years, these two chevrons are for our founders, Ernest and Chuck Wilson. So as Chuck continues to walk down the sidewalk and up the stairs to work in the morning, he can be reminded of what he worked so hard to build with his brother.

And, of course, so can we.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Wilson.

Charles Wilson is a 95-years-young survivor of the Great Depression, a WWII hero, CEO and founder of Ernest, and an all-around great guy.

We sat down with Mr. Wilson for a Fireside Chat. Based on his unique past and wisdom, he told us ways how to persevere in spite of everything that’s going on.

We were lucky enough to gain rich insight about his time during and after the war and growing up during the Great Depression.

ENJOY THE SMALL THINGS

By talking with Mr. Wilson, we were reminded that during tough times, there can be wonderful moments to remember, no matter how small.

“Whenever we had a little time, we had a good time with ourselves,” Mr. Wilson said. He talked about spending time with his mother and brother, laughing, and taking care of one another.

Mr. Wilson remembered cherishing a new pair of ice skates and a 10-cent hamburger after a hard day’s work, during his youth.

The small things are never too small to enjoy.

COMMUNITY

During the Great Depression, when Mr. Wilson was growing up, there wasn’t much to go around. But that didn’t stop everyone from coming together as a community and helping each other in any way they could. “Everyone took care of everyone,” he said, “so wherever you were, you were able to get some food.”

He explained the incentive to get money back then wasn’t anything superficial. The motivation was to help others with what you received.

He also told the inspiring story of when his family had a store by the beach. Back then, his mother would give more money to the poor than to herself. This would make it hard for the family to make any profit, but it was beneficial to the community.

FAMILY LIFE

Family is the most important thing, especially in hard times.

Mr. Wilson said he can still remember the image of his mother walking down the street with her jewels to pawn, so she could have extra money for her two boys.

When Mr. Wilson was asked who his hero was growing up, he said simply, “My brother.”

When his brother got home from being a pilot, he supported his mother, brother, and grandmother. This was hard back then, but it had to be done for the family to survive.

They had to help each other no matter what.

FROM THEN TO NOW

These key notions can still be applied now, more than ever. Even when times are challenging, it’s important to remember that we’re all in this together.

Things like family, community, and enjoying life are important to keep in mind during these tough times.

The simple acts of staying positive and focusing outside of yourself are important principles. These are ideas that you can take with you and implement in your life, moving forward, as we embark on this strange journey toward the unknown.

Be sure to listen to the whole discussion below.

Mr. Wilson began his service in 1944 as an Intelligence Reconnaissance Army Scout. On January 11, 1945 his squad was met by heavy artillery fire. Although he was wounded by shrapnel from the attack, Mr. Wilson completed his mission to report to his seniors, and immediately returned to save his stranded team.

His bravery saved the lives of 6 men, and only after their safe return did he allow his own wounds to be treated. A Purple Heart and Bronze Star awaited him, but the real reward was knowing that his comrades would live to return to their loved ones back home.

Returning from WWII was just the beginning of his life of service, and we’re in awe every day of his commitment to making the world a better place. His generosity and kindness have been guiding principles at Ernest Packaging Solutions since day 1. For everything you do, Mr. Wilson we salute you!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6BeW8qSQto&feature=youtu.be

At 95 years of age, it’s no exaggeration to say that Mr. Wilson has lived an extraordinary life. He built an amazing company culture that’s lasted over 70 years, and he’s brought some truly exceptional people into the Ernest family. Learn more about some of the people who make Ernest a great place to work!

Let’s take a moment and enjoy this video created to tell the early history of Ernest Packaging Solutions. It begins with two brothers returning home from World War II and creating a paper business running out of a garage.

Ernest Packaging Solutions is a family company, meaning everyone working here is considered a part of the family. That’s a line you hear from a lot of places, right? What makes Ernest different is that we live by that statement, and that comes from leadership.

“Products are just products; everybody has products,” said Charles Wilson in an interview with the Ernest blog. “The reason it’s a family business is because we feel very strongly that everyone is important whether you are in sales, a buyer, or in the warehouse. We’re considered one of the leaders in our industries even though we’re a mid-sized company, and that’s because of the people and culture we have.”

What Ernest Packaging Solutions has become – a nationwide company advancing packaging technology and engineering – is remarkable. But that isn’t what Mr. Wilson is most proud of. No, he wanted to talk about family, both his blood and his extended company family.

“We wanted to have a family business, and we wanted everybody who worked for us to be a part of that family,” Wilson says. “If you enjoy the people you work with, you feel we’re all in this together and that everybody is important in the business. We work together and try to get everyone to do their best.”

Mr. Wilson, who still comes into work every day, told us, “I think it’s fun to come to work, and I want other people to feel that way, too. The success of the company is the success of all the people. When we accomplish something as a company, everybody is responsible, and they feel a part of that growth.”

“From my vantage point, every day is a gift. Challenges are what makes life interesting. If you just did the same thing all the time in life, it wouldn’t be interesting. Problems are to be solved – that’s what they’re there for. Sometimes you solve them right, and sometimes you don’t, but at least you’ve got something to do.”

Wilson continues, “One thing I’ve enjoyed about my longevity is that I’m still able to do things. I’ve got a store of wonderful memories that’s my fortune. Nobody can match my memories because they’re for me. Each one of us has a lot we can be grateful for. All we have to do is look back and think of the wonderful things that have happened to us.”

Can we get a high five for that?

It’s easy to call yourself a family-oriented company. It’s harder to live that for over 70 years in business, but Ernest Packaging Solutions has. We call this The Ernest Edge. And it’s what separates us from the rest.

This belief that the people you work with can be a family extends to our customers, as well. In fact, many of our customers have been working with us for over 20 years! What do you want from your packaging company: a one-off business partner or a long-term relationship? Contact us today to learn how Ernest is the packaging partner for you.

Mr. Wilson’s childhood was a difficult one. His father passed away at the beginning of the Great Depression, leaving Charles and his brother Ernest without a steady source of income in those trying times. The community came together to help support the boys and their mother, which inspired Mr. Wilson to give back to others whenever possible.

When he came of age, Mr. Wilson pledged his support for his country and went off to fight in World War II. He became wounded in battle, and it was then Mr. Wilson demonstrated his true giving nature. Knowing that there were fellow soldiers still wounded on the battlefield, he bravely plunged back into the fray to rescue them. He refused medical attention until each soldier was tended to, and earned a Bronze Star of Valor for his heroic service.

See more words of wisdom from Mr. Wilson

The generosity of Mr. Wilson has guided all of us at Ernest Packaging Solutions, and at 94 years of age, he’s still going strong. We’re constantly humbled by his commitment to helping those who need it most, including serving underprivileged schools. Inspired by Mr. Wilson, representatives from each of Ernest’s 12 divisions collected school supplies to donate to disadvantaged schools across the nation. Find out more about our Givember initiative on the Ernest Buzz later this month!\

Givember comes to Montebello Park Elementary

You’ve probably heard that Ernie and Chuck started The Ernest Paper Company out of their friend’s Los Angeles garage back in 1946. But did you know the boys got their first taste for success running a paper route together as kids? Ernest and Charles’s lifelong dedication to thinking ahead, solving problems, and building relationships helped them turn their backyard business into the nationwide company it is today. And it’s this depth of character and the company culture that shapes the way we work.

Corporations love to talk about values, but true values don’t come from a bunch of suits sitting around a table making a list. True values come from the people that work hard to build a business from the ground up. Here, it’s always been about helping our customers succeed. As we’ve grown, the dedication of these to incredible men still inspires us every day. Ernest Wilson is with us in name and spirit, and Charles (94 years young) is here in the office greeting everyone by name, doing his daily push-ups, and setting an example for us all with his kind behavior and words of wisdom: “Give more to others than to yourself. Be humble and you will get back tenfold.” It makes each and every one of us want to make the world a better place and spread a bit of the Charles and Ernie mojo to everyone we meet.

This is their story. This is our story. And we couldn’t love it more. Please take a moment to see for yourself the lasting legacy of the Wilson brothers. And thank you for being part of our family.

Mr. Wilson’s childhood was a difficult one. His father passed away at the beginning of the Great Depression, leaving Charles and his brother Ernest without a steady source of income in those trying times. The community came together to help support the boys and their mother, which inspired Mr. Wilson to give back to others whenever possible.

When he came of age, Mr. Wilson pledged his support for his country and went off to fight in World War II. He became wounded in battle, and it was then Mr. Wilson demonstrated his true giving nature. Knowing that there were fellow soldiers still wounded on the battlefield, he bravely plunged back into the fray to rescue them. He refused medical attention until each soldier was tended to, and earned a Bronze Star of Valor for his heroic service.

Mr. Wilson’s devotion to service continued when he returned from the war, as he spearheaded fundraising for what was then the Cedars of Lebanon. The non-profit hospital, which now operates as the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, was a community-based organization, operating thanks to a group of dedicated volunteers. Mr. Wilson was an early leader in supporting the health system, which now boasts 185 locations across California and serves over 16,000 patients in Los Angeles alone!

Caption: See more words of wisdom from Mr. Wilson

The generosity of Mr. Wilson has guided all of us at Ernest Packaging Solutions, and at 93 years of age, he’s still going strong. We’re constantly humbled by his commitment to helping those who need it most, like those who were affected by this year’s devastating natural disasters. Mr. Wilson spearheaded a donation of nearly 7,000 boxes of food to the Houston relief fund following hurricane Harvey.

To learn more about Mr. Wilson, look forward to his Chat With Charles coming soon on the Ernest blog (and see highlights of last year’s chat right here)!

Our very own Mr. Wilson, who just celebrated his 93rd birthday! We’re not done partying yet, and we’re DEFINITELY not done eating all this leftover birthday cake, so let’s take a look at that Plato quote again while we digest and see how our birthday boy stacks up:

Is Mr. Wilson “of calm nature”?

We’re talking about a man who fought for our country in World War II, a decorated war hero who received a Bronze Star Medal for his exceptional service. Does this look like a face that cracks when the going gets tough?

But don’t take it from us; check out Mr. Wilson sharing his wartime experience and a miraculous story of survival.

Is Mr. Wilson “of happy nature”?

Look at that smile! Mr. Wilson was surrounded by friends, loved ones (like son, Tim Wilson and granddaughter Sari) and all 12 divisions of the Ernest family on his special day, and The Beverly Belles spread the good vibes with a vintage salute to the birthday boy.

Is Mr. Wilson “feeling the pressure of age”?

Ha! You’ve seen him take on the push-up challenge, so you know Mr. Wilson is still at his peak. And you better believe he’s got a thing or two to show the younger generation about letting loose; check out the birthday boy showing his granddaughter Sari how to cut a rug!

WIthout a doubt, Mr. Wilson is still rocking and rolling. Don’t you feel like jumping up and grooving?? That’s how awesome it working at Ernest EVERY DAY!

Mr. Wilson’s dance moves are already famous over on Facebook, but we want to show the whole world what an inspiration our fearless leader is to each member of the Ernest Packaging Solutions family. Looking across the pond we can see fellow nonagenarian leader Queen Elizabeth II still galloping along with the best of ‘em at 91 years of age, but we bet she ain’t got moves like Mr. Wilson!

Photo: Kelvin Bruce

Spirited leadership keeps the party rolling, even at the age of 93, and we couldn’t ask for anyone better to lead this dance than Mr. Wilson. Enough with the blog, let’s boogie!