STORY Faces

Kay DeCuir and MarJuana B. Williams are uniquely positioned to understand the opportunities and challenges associated with small businesses in Southeast Texas.

Between them, they can be called attorney, educator, builder, Realtor, developer and economic driver, among so much more.

Yet, they remain small businesswomen at heart.

Call it faith, determination or both, but these entrepreneurs are driven to succeed.

“If you have a dream, if you have an inspiration to do something on your own, by all means do it,” Williams said. “Take that step of faith. That doesn’t mean quitting your job tomorrow. Start small if you need to start small. Don’t despise the day of small beginnings. Start where you are.”

Prosperity

Prosperity Building Group, LLC had humble beginnings, according to Williams, president and founder.

It started with a love of houses. When she was a little girl, Williams used to pick up and carry around the real estate books available for free in supermarkets.

Candace Hemelt/ Greater Port Arthur The Magazine

She eventually went to law school and became a real estate attorney.

It was natural for Williams and her husband to talk about building their own houses, but it was Williams who pushed the couple to action with the simple instructions: build one house.

They started with a single house. That was 2011.

“We built it and it sold and we never stopped,” Williams recalls.

“God has been blessing us ever since. Now, we’re branching off into commercial. I’m really excited about that. I just feel like the hand of God has been on our lives.”

Now Williams is working with the Lamar State College Port Arthur Small Business Development Center to secure a SBA loan in pursuit of Prosperity Building Group’s most ambitious venture to date.

“We’re about to start construction on a Toasted Yolk Café that is our own,” she said, adding SBDC Director Dana Espinal has been instrumental in the effort.

“It is a risky deal. It is a huge deal. It’s going to be a $4 million project, which is the largest we have ever done.”

Williams describes the loan process as a headache but necessary for the location.

“(Espinal) has been instrumental in guiding us, giving me good advice, putting me in contact with the right people and keeping me settled when I am nervous about things,” she said.

Economic Development

The world of small business first reached Kay DeCuir’s radar in 1984 when she was a classroom teacher and opened up a boutique in her home.

It was basically clothing and jewelry. The experience helped inform her when she decided to open her own real estate office.

She expanded with new team members in 2020 and started leasing a building on Nederland Avenue that she admits she doesn’t have as much time to utilize these days with her other commitments.