Colonel Ray Henry has enjoyed an amazing career as an entrepreneur and auctioneer, with a myriad list of international successes that range in scope from the heavy equipment industry to his most recent foray into software development.

As his sons have now transitioned into a more prominent role within the family-owned I.R.A.Y. Companies, it freed up Colonel Ray’s time to focus on cementing his legacy through the writing of an incredible memoir, The Echo of the Gavel.

“I’ve been thinking about writing this book for more than a few years,” says Henry. “I wanted to tell the story . . . because if I didn’t tell it, no one would have known about the trials, tribulations and successes. The message is powerful, yet simple. We can never give up.”

The uniquely moving book is both a historical testament to the lessons he learned from his father (Don) and grandfather (MJ), as well as a mandate to the next generation of Henrys who are now making a name for themselves in the family business. Ray’s desire to pass along decades worth of knowledge and stories of trial and error was instrumental in putting his author skills into action.

The final push came when Ray was talking to a good friend and accomplished author who worked in the manufacturing industry, and he gave the perfect advice to spur the endeavor.

“He said, ‘don’t keep wishing it, do it,’” says Henry.

Blessings

One of the core tenants of Colonel Ray’s success has been his eagerness to give back to others within his orbit, from his community to his colleagues and fellow business owners.

From charitable auctions across the upper Midwest, to his willingness to serve as mentor and business consultant, the art of giving back was set in stone by his grandfather Maurice, known as M.J. He passed when he was just 64 years old, but Ray remembers vividly the impact he had on those around him.

“The wake stretched over a number of days because so many people came from across the country to wish the family well and pay homage to the man who had done so much for them,” recalls Ray. “He had been extremely successful in the auction business and he had sent bid callers to help others auctioneers . . . he had a big impact on so many people and other businesses.”

Those same core beliefs are something that have been a cornerstone of Ray’s business model: being unyieldingly ethical and always taking the time to count his many blessings and in turn sharing the success with others.

Results

The book has an unrelenting focus on success and how to sustain those impressive results across multiple platforms.

Ray first built his business empire as the owner of the world’s largest automobile repairable dealership, which stretched across Minnesota, the Dakotas and even into Kansas. He then transitioned into the heavy equipment industry, winning international acclaim as a championship auctioneer and certified appraiser. From there, he applied the lessons he had honed over decades of success into his latest venture, software development, and his burgeoning company BRAD Software.

“We live in the digital era and all these huge corporations in the world had control over everything, including our data,” Henry says. “When I saw the opportunity to give people their control back in owning their own businesses, then I knew it (BRAD) had to be done.”

Henry describes how his latest venture is a chance to help the “mom and pop” shops compete with the big companies so they can hold their ground.

His companies’ profiles are heavily-built upon the foundations of freedom and selfdetermination, both of which play prominent roles in his book.

The Beginning

Ray is planing a book signing event coming up on Sunday January 18, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Jack & Jims in Duelm. Readers are encouraged to purchase their books ahead of time on Amazon (https://a.co/d/eMScrSo) and then bring the copy to have it autographed by Henry at the event. It will be available soon on Barnes and Noble and an e-book version is also available.

Readers will enjoy the pace of the book, as it is captivating and projects the strong, rhythmic pattern one would expect from the championship chant of a world-renowned auctioneer of Henry’s pedigree.

“I definitely wrote the book to keep the readers’ attention,” says Henry. “As any auctioneer knows, you have to keep your crowd’s enthusiasm and interest.”

In addition to the book signing event, Henry has other promotions planned for the near future including a podcast. And yes, there are already plans for a pair of sequels to the book, including one that will focus on the automobile industry and one that is geared towards auctioneering.

“It’s hard to tell an entire life story and all the people and experiences in just 250 pages,” concludes Henry.