Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeannette Wyatt.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jeannette. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from UCLA and a master’s degree from USC. My first job out of grad school was working for a woman-owned multimedia company based in Venice Beach, CA that specialized in creating highly creative, custom online learning programs for leading companies like American Express, Anheuser Busch, Federal Express, Marriott, United Airlines, Lexus Automotive and more.
While I started doing the book-keeping, I soon began accompanying the company’s founder on business development meetings around the country. At the time, the Internet didn’t exist as we know it and the programs we created ran on floppy disks or CD-ROM.
We couldn’t count on the clients having a desktop computer or monitor available, so we’d have to lug 50+ pounds of our own equipment through airports and in rental cars. My role evolved from accounting to managing the marketing, public relations and business development activities for the company. I learned everything I know about building a business from the owner, Sandy. Her company became one of the fastest 50 growing companies in L.A. 5 years in a row and she was recognized as an Entrepreneur of the Year in Los Angeles by Ernst and Young in 1998.
The skills I learned from her carried me through a 20-year career in marketing for Fortune 500 companies in pharmaceutical, technology and healthcare industries. In 2004, I was living in Philadelphia, working as a regional director of marketing for a network of cancer centers (later acquired by McKesson Specialty Health). In 2008, I was offered a promotion to National Director of Marketing. I resisted the promotion for months because it required my moving to The Woodlands where the company was headquartered. I was single at the time and everyone told me that I’d have to live downtown if I wanted to meet someone because The Woodlands was mostly a family community.
Not wanting to make an hour commute to and from work, I ultimately decided to get an apartment on Riva Row with a view of the Waterway and walking distance to Market Street. The second week living there, I ventured out to Tommy Bahama’s Restaurant & Bar with a new colleague and friend and found myself sitting next to a gentleman who would soon become my husband and the love of my life.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Ha! Smooth? That’s an understatement. When I met Tim, he was in the process of moving to Texas from Minneapolis where he first started the company. The recession had brought the company to the brink of bankruptcy and at the same time, he was going through a tortuous and financially debilitating divorce.
After he told me his story, I told him I wanted to help him find new work. And so, on nights and weekends, I started creating brochures and a direct mail campaign to hundreds of restaurant owners and construction managers. Slowly but surely, business started to come back in, but it was up and down over the years with primarily small jobs from mom and pops. In 2014, I was able to join the business full-time overseeing the financials and driving the new business efforts.
In the last few years, we’ve really started to hit our stride with increasingly higher caliber clients on our resume and strong business relationships. Right now we’re in the running for building stores in Texas for Los Angeles-based Mendocino Farms Sandwich Shop and In n’ Out Burger. The thought of having a seat at the table with the likes of those two companies is mind-blowing for us.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Wyatt Management story. Tell us more about the business.
Wyatt Management is a commercial general contractor that specializes in remodels, tenant build-outs and ground-up construction in the retail and restaurant industries.
We’re smaller than most our competitors, but once we’ve proven ourselves we’ve been able to retain accounts and nurture new ones. Our clients include leading companies such as Chipotle, Dairy Queen, Grub Burger Bar, Jiffy Lube, Lululemon, McDonald’s, Taco Bell and Shake Shack to name a few.
Tim and I are highly involved in the business. Working day, nights and weekends is a norm. But, unlike larger, national GC’s, our clients can count on the fact that we, as the owners, are engaged in their projects.
I’m most proud of the fact that we didn’t give in or give up. With the debt that was accumulated in 2009, most business owners would have shut the doors. People are amazed to learn we work together and often ask how we do it.
I think Tim and I were truly blessed to meet each other at the time in our lives that we did, and by the strength of our love for one another.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Perseverance, tireless days, and a lot of hard work! I’ve never had more love or respect for a man than I do for Tim who went from losing almost everything to having the strength, courage and determination not to give up building his dream.
Contact Info:
- Address:
25227 Grogans Mill Road, Suite 230
The Woodlands, TX 77380 - Website: WyattMngt.com
- Phone: 832-610-3000
- Email: jwyatt@wyattmngt.com
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