Meet C.J. O’Brion: One of the Faces Behind Shoppers Supply

Shoppers Supply, a trusted destination for quality goods, operates three conveniently situated stores in the valley, each offering a wide selection of products ranging from outdoor equipment to pet essentials.  Whether you’re a seasoned gardener, a pet enthusiast, or simply seeking home improvement solutions, Shoppers Supply is your go-to destination in the valley.

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Three Locations

• Apache Junction
  • 1477 West Apache Trail, Apache Junction, Arizona 85120
• Chandler
  • 2880 South Alma School Road, Chandler, Arizona 85286
• Gilbert
  • 8454 S Power Road, Gilbert, Arizona 85297

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The Arizona Locals behind Shoppers Supply

In our earlier articles, we’ve had the privilege of acquainting you with two out of the three driving forces propelling Shoppers Supply forward. Now, allow us to introduce you to C.J. O’Brion, the third vital pillar of their team. 

Introduction: C.J. O’Brion

We’ve recently had the opportunity to connect with C.J. O’Brion, check it out below!

CLN: Can you give details about how honesty, integrity, and hard work were instilled in you from your backgrounds, such as your father, mother, family, or the types of jobs and responsibilities you had?

C.J. O’Brion: “My earliest memories are all hardworking but amazing memories. My parents both worked full time jobs, but also did anything and everything to also provide for their family. We would cut, split, and deliver firewood. My dad starting mowing jobs that my brother and I would eventually take over. My Dad would also put taps on tap shoes for all my sister’s dance friends. My mom worked weekends at our family’s apple orchard. My first real job was for my Aunt and Uncle at the apple orchard when I was 12. I’ve worked a job steadily ever since. A saying that I still use today with my employees is “if you have time to lean then you have time to clean” I was warned to never let my aunt seeing you standing around doing nothing. There is always something to do, someone to help, or something to clean. My parents did not graduate college, so they had to work very hard to get ahead in life. We may not be the smartest people ever, but we will outwork anyone around us. I was the first one in my father’s family to attend college. I didn’t have my parents’ help; I didn’t get any scholarships. I paid my own way through college because I saw how hard my parents worked their entire life and I wanted something better to provide for my family.”

Credit: C.J. O’Brion 

CLN: Give details, but not exactly, about where you currently live. What do you like about it, what do you think of the people, and any ideas you have about contributing to improving the community.

C.J. O’Brion: “I currently live in Chandler, just miles away from the chandler location. We chose to live in Chandler because one it was close to the store for me, and we really wanted to be in the Tarwater School district. We moved from Iowa 12 years ago, so we had no family in friends to lean on. The best thing about the community in Chandler is that there as so many similar families to ours. Our best friends here in AZ now we have met thru daycares, schools, birthday parties, and sporting teams. We now feel that Chandler is our home forever.”

CLN: Can you talk about how you feel about the impact your business has on you, your family, your employees, your customers, and your community? Why is it important to your family to foster good neighbor relations as a local family business? What does a local business do that an Amazon or Temu doesn’t.

C.J. O’Brion:  “The impact on me personally the business has had is unmeasurable. I really disliked my previous job and employer; I wasn’t happy professionally and it definitely had a negative impact on my marriage. When I started at Shoppers all those negatives went away. I was working better hours, I had more responsibility, and I had a reason to work hard and grow the business. When we moved from Iowa to AZ to grow the shoppers business all I had at the moment was my wife and Shoppers. I love that my 10- and 8-year-old daughters get to see the ins and outs of the Shoppers Business. I wasn’t shown that side of business as a kid, all I knew is that you had to do physical jobs long and hard to get paid. I never knew what a Buyer was for as a young kid for example. I want to be able to show my daughters just how much there is out there and all you need to know along the way to help it make sense.

Customer Service is our main goal. We all have competitors with similar products and similar pricing. We have to have the knowledge, the correct staff, and the great customer service to set us apart. Our customers are our everything, without our community, our customers, we don’t have a business. We try to have a great relationship with as many different community members as possible, we sponsor local rodeos, local rides, various young sporting teams, FFA, donations, raffles, etc.”

Credit: C.J. O’Brion 

As Shoppers Supply continues to evolve and adapt to the ever-changing retail and agricultural landscape, one thing is certain: Ryan Beenken, Tyler Schmidt and C.J. O’Brion will be at the forefront, leading the way with passion, integrity, and excellence.

Credit: Cowboy Lifestyle Network