Jake Jabs Center for Entrepreneurship Celebrates Namesake’s 95th Birthday
The lively event honored Mr. Jake Jabs and his championing of entrepreneurship education with inspiring speeches, live music, and birthday festivities.
By Sarah Soenke, Associate Director of Marketing & Communications at the Jake Jabs Center for Entrepreneurship
On Wednesday, Nov. 12, the Jake Jabs Event Center and Business School lobby overflowed like never before with cheers, music, and members of the CU Denver and entrepreneurial community. All had come together to celebrate the 95th birthday of the legendary Jake Jabs, CEO of American Furniture Warehouse and one of Colorado’s greatest entrepreneurs.
There was no better location to host such an event. Just over 12 years ago, Jabs pledged $12 million to rename CU Denver’s Jake Jabs Center for Entrepreneurship, expand its entrepreneurship academic programming, and create the very gathering place where attendees stood. It also went to the construction of additional classrooms, auditoriums, and an innovation suite on the floors above. To this day, his gift remains the largest total donation in the history of CU Denver’s downtown campus, as well as the largest single donation made by an entrepreneur to a Business School department or center.
“Jake’s incredible $12 million endowment has proven nothing short of transformative—for our Business School, for entrepreneurship education at CU Denver, and for the broader Front Range ecosystem,” said Madhavan Parthasarathy, Executive Director of the Jake Jabs Center. “It was 26 years ago that I first invited Jake to address my graduate marketing seminar, and his presentation that day proved so compelling that I’ve invited him back every year… as you can observe, he hasn’t aged a single day since.”
Jabs’ name has long been synonymous with entrepreneurship, even before the creation of the centers that bear his name. As a self-taught businessman and philanthropist, he has built one of the largest privately held furniture companies in the U.S. that now operates locations across Colorado, Arizona, and Texas. In fact, American Furniture Warehouse itself celebrated 50 years of business this past September.
Beyond his company, Jabs also serves as the national vice president of the Muscular Dystrophy Association and actively supports the Easter Seals, Children’s Hospital, Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, and American Heart Association. He’s donated more than $35 million to educational institutions, and he and his employees donate $2 million annually to local charities. Jabs has been given various honors, such as the Home Furnishings Association’s Retailer of the Year, Furniture Today’s Retailer of the Year and Mentorship Award, the American Red Cross Community Heroism Award, and induction into the Colorado Business Hall of Fame.
All the while, he continues to oversee the day-to-day operations of American Furniture Warehouse and frequently speaks to students during class visits and events like THE CLIMB | Jake Jabs Business Plan Competition.
After the crowd sang “Happy Birthday” to the man of honor, Jabs shared his tips for longevity, which focused on having a purpose, staying healthy, and leaving a legacy. “You have to enjoy what you’re doing,” Jabs said. “You know what they say: if you enjoy what you do, you will never have to work a day in your life. I still love what I’m doing.”
Jabs’ family joined him at the celebration, including his partner, Rene Green; his daughters Annie Anderson, Kim Elliot-Hamilton, Terri Kurth, and Jackie Brookshire (who is also President of American Furniture Warehouse); and several grandchildren. Special guests included CU President Todd Saliman, CU Denver Chancellor Ken Christensen, and Business School Dean Scott Dawson, along with numerous community members, staff, faculty, current students, and alumni who have been impacted by Jabs’ teachings, mentorship, and support.
“The Jake Jabs Center has greatly influenced my journey as an entrepreneurship major by providing the connections and resources to bring my ideas to life,” said Adriana Parra Herrera, a BSBA student majoring in entrepreneurship. “The Center has shown me that you’re never alone on your journey, as there’s always someone ready to guide and support you.”
The event was put together using only CU Denver student- and alumni-owned vendors. It featured live performances by Ethan Sullivan Music; desserts crafted by Megan Wallace’s The Guilded Magpie and Mushtari Toirova’s BERRY HAUS; photography by McBoat Photography and Maria Morales Photography; videography by Matten Saremi’s Strike Productions; and promotional gifts by Matt Kaspari’s Kaspo, Inc.
“At the Jake Jabs Center, I have the privilege of creating opportunities that bring people together at events like tonight,” said Clair Seville, Associate Director of Operations at the Center and the mastermind behind the event. “These meaningful experiences for our students and community are all thanks to Jake’s generosity and passion for supporting entrepreneurial education.”
Following a standing ovation, Jabs broke out his guitar and treated the crowd to a few performances of his own, including his favorite, “Take Me Home, Country Roads.”
Whether it’s his business aptitude, keys to success, or musical bravado, Jabs inspires well beyond the halls of the CU Denver Business School. His legacy carries on in every student and entrepreneur who upholds the same integrity he has modeled for decades.
Jake, we hope you have a wonderful birthday (which, fun fact, is actually on Nov. 23)! Thank you for everything you do for our students, community, and entrepreneurship education at CU Denver.