Founders Corner

Personal tales of helping people make a home from and stories about our founders, Ira and Barbara Smith.

As Seen on Chronicle…

As Seen on Chronicle…

"In Acton, you will find Household Goods. What was once a small operation from Barbara and Ira Smith's carport, has turned into a 20,000-square-foot...

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Barb and Ira on WBUR

Barb and Ira on WBUR

Lisa Mullins and Lynn Jolicoeur from WBUR 90.9 FM recently came in to interview our beloved founders Barbara and Ira Smith for a series on people...

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Moving to The Barn

Moving to The Barn

In April or May of 2000 we signed a lease with the Acton Christian Church for use of half of their garage for $1.00 per year. For the first time in...

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The Art of Lifting

The Art of Lifting

Our story begins with a last minute question from Bruce Frankel as he was wrapping up his manuscript for his book What Should I Do with the Rest of...

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Flourish with PERMA

Flourish with PERMA

Psychologist Martin E. P. Seligman in his latest book, Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-being, submits that an...

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The Red Toolbox

The Red Toolbox

Darkness approached. With difficulty we crammed a sofa into Mauro and Margarete’s station wagon. I handed Mauro his heavy red tool box which had...

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