When I think back on the experiences that shaped me, I often return to the land. Growing up in Beaumont, Texas, surrounded by farmland, pastures, and open skies, I learned lessons that no classroom could ever teach. My father’s family were farmers, and he instilled in me the value of hard work, patience, and respect for the process of building something that lasts. Those early lessons from the land have guided me throughout my life—not just in business, but in how I approach family, community, and legacy.
Roots That Run Deep
I was born in 1962, in Beaumont, a fifth-generation Texan. My dad grew up dirt-poor in the country, living off the land and learning to work with his hands. My mom also had strong roots in Beaumont, and together, they raised me and my older brother in a household that valued resilience, responsibility, and respect.
From a young age, I was immersed in the rhythms of farm life. I remember early mornings helping with chores, tending animals, and planting and harvesting crops alongside my dad. Even as a boy, I understood that nothing worthwhile comes without effort. You can’t rush the soil, and you can’t skip the work. Those truths about life were lessons I absorbed naturally, simply by living them every day.
Working the Land
Some of my clearest childhood memories come from working on my father’s sharecropped farm in Silsbee, Texas. He had a close friend, a Cajun concrete contractor named Harold Broussard, and together they managed five acres. My dad had an old Ford 9N tractor, one of the first ever built, and every Saturday we’d plow, plant, and tend the fields.
At the time, it felt like hard labor. I remember the heat, the calloused hands, and the exhaustion that came from a full day in the fields. But even then, my dad had a way of making it meaningful. He would promise small rewards—like a swim at Nelson’s Pool on the way home—so that every long, hot day ended with a sense of accomplishment and joy.
Those days taught me resilience. They taught me to see challenges as part of the process, not as obstacles to success. And they taught me that effort alone isn’t enough—you need to be thoughtful and deliberate, whether you’re planting crops or building a business.
Lessons in Responsibility and Initiative
One day, after helping harvest vegetables, I found myself selling the produce out of the back of my dad’s old step-side pickup truck. People asked if they could buy some of the fresh vegetables, and I made up prices on the spot, filled canvas tote bags, and collected the cash. When my dad came out, he was first shocked and then amused, and he told the story for years afterward.
That simple act taught me about initiative and responsibility. Opportunity often presents itself in unexpected ways, and if you’re willing to step up and take it, you can create value—not just for yourself, but for others. It’s a principle I’ve carried into every venture I’ve ever undertaken.
Building with Your Hands
Before I was even ten, my dad and I built a barn on our property on Hell Big Road in Beaumont. It was a classic Texas barn with a tall center and lean-tos on both sides. I carried lumber, hammered boards, and helped feed the animals. I was probably more in the way than helpful at times, but my dad never complained. He taught me that working side by side, learning from one another, and investing sweat and energy into something tangible is a form of education that sticks for life.
That barn became more than just a structure. It was a lesson in vision, planning, and seeing a project through from start to finish. Those principles would later guide me in real estate development, hospitality, and entertainment. Every building I’ve overseen, every project I’ve managed, carries the echo of those early lessons in construction and collaboration.
The Value of Patience and Long-Term Thinking
Farming and building taught me patience. Crops don’t grow overnight, barns don’t rise in a day, and businesses don’t succeed without careful planning and consistent effort. These early experiences showed me that short-term results are fleeting, but long-term dedication produces something meaningful and lasting.
That perspective has been invaluable in my career. Whether developing properties, opening restaurants, or leading a family of companies, I approach each project with the understanding that a solid foundation—built with care, integrity, and persistence—is what ultimately creates enduring success.
Carrying the Lessons Forward
The lessons from my childhood farm and my family extend far beyond business. They influence how I think about legacy, leadership, and community. My parents, my brother, my aunts, and my father’s mentors taught me that true accomplishment isn’t measured by immediate gain—it’s measured by the impact you leave on the people around you and the world you help shape.
Working the land, tending animals, building structures, and stepping up to opportunities taught me about responsibility, patience, and the value of effort. Those principles are at the heart of everything I do today, guiding my work with Big Easy Entertainment and my contributions to communities across Texas.
Looking Back and Moving Forward
I often think about those long days in the fields and the barns we built together. They weren’t easy, and they didn’t always feel glamorous, but they were formative. They instilled in me a sense of purpose, a work ethic, and a commitment to building something that lasts.
Today, whether I’m developing a property, launching a new business, or mentoring someone younger, I carry those lessons from the land with me. They remind me that legacy isn’t built overnight—it’s cultivated through hard work, thoughtful effort, and care for the people and communities you serve.
From the fields of Beaumont to the offices and venues I oversee now, the land and my family taught me a truth that has guided my entire life: what you build with your hands, your heart, and your mind can last far beyond your years, leaving a legacy that endures.