Cypress Resident Becky Souther Finds Business is & Family Simply Child’s Play
PINPOINTE RESIDENT PROFILE
By Patricia Hudson
M
ike and Becky Souther first moved to Towne Lake seven years ago. “We were looking to build our forever home and we were wanting a family friendly community with great amenities. Towne Lake has far exceeded our expectations,” explains Becky. Exemplary volunteer service with the CFISD VIPS and PTO boards, a business partnership with the Wingo family toy drive for MD Anderson Children’s Hospital and service with the NCL Cypress Gems spurred Andrea Curran to nominate Becky and her family for this May/June edition of PinPointe Magazine. Becky took some time for an interview. What drew the two of you together? “We met through mutual friends when I was in college. Mike is 9 years older, so college was far behind him,” explains Becky. “We dated for almost two years and got married about a year after I graduated college. We have been married almost 21 years.” Where did you attend school? What was your major? “I graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor in Business Management. Mike graduated from Texas A&M with a Bachelor in Economics.” Getting down to the business of business “Mike and I owned a Christian Brothers Automotive that he ran for 15 years, while I stayed home with our ‘big kids.’ In 2019, he decided to retire and stay home with our 2-year-old so I could have an opportunity to chase some of my dreams. When I was in college, I worked part time as a teller for JPMorgan Chase Bank; I planned to use my business degree to further my career with Chase. My father worked for Chase for 30 years and I knew I could have a strong career within that company, as well. And I did, until I had Avery. At that point, Mike and I decided that I would stay home with the kids. When I left Chase, I was a Supervising Manager in the Fraud Department.” 8 May | June 2022
Photo Credit: Natascha Strong Photography
You are a business owner. What led you to this particular business? “In 2019, when we were deciding if we wanted to continue owning a Christian Brothers Automotive or try something new, an acquaintance of mine, (who has since become one of my dearest friends), posted that she was selling Learning Express Toys of Cypress. I jokingly sent my husband a text asking if he’d like to own a toy store and the rest is history. I do all of the managing, buying and hiring. I am in the store Monday – Friday, managing the day to day.” What challenges have arisen due to Covid? “We purchased the store in February of 2020, six weeks before COVID shut the world down. With the help of our corporate offices, we redesigned the way we do business. A website was created and we began to offer online ordering and curbside pickup. We filled Easter Buckets via phone, facetime and online orders. It was an unreal experience. The Cypress community kept our business alive in 2020. Although business slowed dramatically in 2020, the Squishmallow, Fidget and TikTok trend in 2021 made up for it. As a new store owner, it has been a roller coaster, but one I have enjoyed every minute of.” About the Kids “We have three: Avery 17, Ben 14, and Nicholas 4, (surprise!).
