Room & Board: John Gabbert. A Broken Deal, a Family Rift, and the Birth of a Furniture Giant
John Gabbert transformed a shattered family partnership into Room & Board, a modern furniture empire worth half a billion dollars. After his father's company reneged on a handshake deal, John refused to abandon his vision for accessible modern design. Starting with $500,000 of his own money in 1990, he built a brand that proves patience and authenticity beat hype every time. Today, with 22 showrooms nationwide, his furniture graces homes across America—a legacy built not on family approval, but on quiet persistence.
