Williams family's five businesses branch out

by Laura Scott

SBJ Contributing Writer

sbj@sbj.net

It may not be a genetic trait, but there's a lot of anecdotal evidence that entrepreneurship runs in the family.

Just ask the Williams family. Its members own five businesses.

It was the entrepreneurial spirit of David and Donna Williams that inspired their children to become business owners.

"I have a business because my parents offered the opportunity to me," said Beth Perry, who, with husband Lee, owns Beth's Bake Shoppe & Tea Room. "You have to make it succeed." Seeing her parents work hard also instilled a work ethic for Perry.

The Williams family's entrepreneurial venture began in 1980, when David and Donna started Williams Construction Company. After earning a degree in industrial engineering, David worked for Sweetheart Cup/Lily Tulip until he decided to pursue his dream of becoming a builder. Since then, Williams Construction has completed commercial projects including the Remington Theatre, Lawrence Welk Theatre and Yellow Ribbon Theatre in Branson. Closer to home, they have built for Budweiser, Casey stores, Chardonnay and French Quarter Plaza, and Remington's Corner shopping center.

The construction company spawned Fremont Partners, a real estate business they started in 1986 with partners and friends Bob and Judy Gravett. Fremont Partners began by developing Fremont Landing Apartments and has re-invested in other properties.

During the 1980s, Donna Williams owned a retail store, Something Special, in the Battlefield Mall. "I closed that business nine or 10 years ago and owned it for 12 years," she said. "Then we built Remington's Corner and we had it rented out except for two stores. I asked Beth about opening a tea room on the south side of town and she said OK." That's when Perry moved her bake shop, in business since 1995, from Division Street to the shopping center in 2003. Again, Donna found herself in the retail business when she opened Gifts from the Heart in 2003 next to the bakery and tea room. The home dcor shop complements the adjoining tea room.

"Beth loved to cook and started baking chocolate chip cookies in junior high," said Willams. After attending junior college, Perry gained more hands-on experience at Hemingway's and Highland Springs.

The bake shop specializes in wedding and birthday cakes, cookies and pies, while the lunch-only tea room serves up sandwiches, soups, quiche and salads.

Having your own business is a trade-off, said Perry. "You work more hours when you work for yourself, but there are benefits."

If she needs to take an hour or a day off, she has six employees to fill in. At the age of 5, Perry's son Cole has been bitten by the business bug. His mother says he would rather work than play. Cole hopes to have his own water company someday and wants to work with his grandfather in construction.

Another Williams daughter, Jill Barron, owns The Cruise and Travel Connection, a business she opened in 1994. "At that time I had a partner and I was more the bookkeeper," said Barron, who also is bookkeeper for Williams Construction and an active community volunteer. She has two full-time employees and two outside agents to assist her. After buying out her partner, she kept the business going, even after the Sept. 11 attacks.

"Our main goal is customer service. We book a lot of cruises and leisure travel and I don't even try to compete with the larger agencies." Barron books many travelers on travel packages, some to raise money for charity. She volunteers for the Price Cutter Charity Championship golf tournament and serves on the board. "Being self-employed, I'm able to work my schedule so I can volunteer," she added. Barron also works with her husband, Omar, at their restaurant, The Longhorn Grill. The restaurant, opened in 2003, is located next door to the bake shop and gift shop.

"We also own Discount Smokes," Williams added. "Our partner Bob Gravett manages it. He once worked for a tobacco company selling and we had this little spot in the shopping center available." Gravett divides his time between the store and his own business, Just for Him.

There's no competition in the Williams family, even though there are two dining establishments.

"We have a different type of food here," said Perry. The Williamses also have a son, James, who works with his father in the construction business.