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sportstylemag.com • sportstyle July/August 2025 • 57 RALEIGH, NC JOHNSON-LAMBE COMPANY Owners: Rhett Johnson, president; sons Cole Johnson and Grey Johnson. Rhett's wife, Marci, is also involved in the business. History: e company was founded in 1935 by Rochelle "Red" Johnson and his partner, Francis "Sheep" Lambe. "e Johnsons bought out the Lambes in the 1960s but kept the name," says Rhett. "My father, Phil Johnson, took over until I took the reins in early 1990s. My brother, Josh, joined me a few years later and has recently retired. My two sons, Cole and Grey – the fouth generation – have been in the business for 10-plus years now and are currently building their leadership roles." Most Gratifying Aspects: "You are betting on yourself and your company every day, that's what gets you out of bed early every morning. e people you work with are what keeps you moving forward, knowing they are counting on you and you are counting on them. e Johnson's are the name in this company, but the family are all of those that work with us. at has to be genuine or it doesn't work." Challenges: "Letting the small things keep you from the big things. I learned that from Josh Baker (Bakers Sports), one of my closest friends and partner in e Alli Sports Group and Pro Gear Shoulder Pads. You wear a lot of hats in a family business and you need to find and trust others to take a share of that load in order to move forward. And you always need to be moving forward." Looking Ahead: "Great things ahead, one of my favorite sayings. But those details always remain in the family." The Future of Family-Owned Team Businesses: "There will always be room for family businesses, especially in industries that still rely on relationships with the customer. Each generation will have its own challenges, but that's what creates each generation's success." The Johnson family continues to run the business at Johnson-Lambe.

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