Rhonda and Charlie Williford Rhonda Williford Home Solutions/Williford & Company

Small Business Today Magazine Winter 2022 Edition/Houston

Rhonda & Charlie - The "Dynamic Duo"

Photography by Gwen Juarez

RHONDA & CHARLIE WILLIFORD Rhonda Williford Home Solutions and Williford & Company

Great Partners In Life and In Business - Helping Real Estate Clients and Making Them Feel Like Family

By Mary J. West

The intensely caring nature of both Rhonda and Charlie Williford were the driving force behind the launch of their flourishing businesses and, indeed, their continuing success. Early on, Rhonda wanted to have the kind of company that would treat clients like family. Charlie shared the same passion. Consequently, when they met on one fateful evening in 2007, they quickly realized they were soulmates, which led to a beautiful marriage. This great life partnership eventually evolved into an informal business partnership that has brought them great fulfillment and helped a multitude of people.

While the couple’s businesses are technically separate, they frequently intersect. In her work as a Realtor® and design specialist, Rhonda routinely encounters sellers who need the services of a contractor to help remodel their homes in preparation for being listed. Likewise, in his work as a contractor and insurance adjuster, Charlie meets clients who are interested in selling their homes and need a great Realtor® and/or design specialist. Working side-by side in assisting clients achieve their real estate goals and dreams, Rhonda and Charlie not only help their clients together, they are able to provide each other’s expertise as well.

Undoubtedly, if Rhonda and Charlie had never met, they would still be the owners of successful businesses. However, they embrace working together and helping their clients. They also have an ever-expanding group of people whom they have welcomed into their business family. For over 17 years, Rhonda Williford has been a “mover and shaker” in the real estate community and is the sole proprietor of Rhonda Williford Home Solutions, a RE/MAX affiliation. In addition to being the Team Leader, Rhonda has two Buyer's Agents - Lori Cassity and Chanta Brown.

Rhonda uses her talents, skills, and knowledge in helping people buy or sell their homes. When sellers contact Rhonda, she gives them a choice of two options. They can either list their homes without making improvements, or they can first invest money in home improvements which often pays off in a larger selling price and a shorter time on the market. When clients choose the latter, Rhonda acts as their design specialist and advises them in what steps are necessary to take in increasing their home’s marketability, curb appeal, and value. After following her recommendations, it is not uncommon for her clients deciding not to sell because they find the improvements too appealing to leave.

Rhonda’s advice in enhancing her clients’ home appeal depends on how much they are willing to invest. Sometimes a few changes can make a great deal of difference. These may include decluttering and cleaning the interior, along with refreshing the yard. Other simple changes may involve removing outdated carpeting, adding some fresh paint, changing light fixtures, or replacing a few appliances. In addition, Rhonda may suggest changes to facilitate better flow within a home. For example, when people are cooking in the kitchen, they want to be able to easily speak with family members or guests in the living room. They also like to be readily accessible when children are doing their homework. In other words, if the interior of a home flows well, it’s more functional for the residents and more desirable to potential buyers.

Rhonda’s clients represent many walks of life, so she has experience in selling everything from starter homes and “fixeruppers” to luxury high-end properties. Regardless of her client’s income, she values each of them. “I don't care if you have $80,000 or $8 million to spend, you're just as important,” remarked Rhonda.

She is as adept at enhancing homes with a limited budget as well as she is with those who have an extravagant budget. Even if a client has only a relatively small sum to spend on home improvements, Rhonda's creative flair and shopping savvy can transform a lackluster residence into an enchanting abode. “I’ve made modest homes look like the Taj Mahal by picking up items from places that deliver design that fits any budget, from discount to designer,” explains Rhonda.

Rhonda is quite the resourceful shopper. It is not unusual for her to find unique items at flea markets that make wonderful conversation pieces. She is always thinking outside of the box in getting her clients what they need at the best price. Rhonda elaborated, “Furniture auctioneers who sell items for people who are downsizing or moving overseas are another treasure trove for home furnishings. It’s fun to have a diverse variety of shopping sources.”

Although the sellers’ side of real estate is Rhonda’s specialty, she also enjoys working with buyers. When people who want to buy a home contact her, she takes time in determining their needs. “Because sometimes they don’t know what they need or want,” explains Rhonda. “I ask questions to narrow down areas that best suits their needs.”

Whether Rhonda is working with sellers or buyers, she feels one of the keys to her success is the way she treats people like family. “I got into this business because I thought I could make a difference by taking care of them in the most optimal way,” reflects Rhonda. “The secret to having satisfied, happy clients is treating them the way I would want to be treated. One by one, I can make a difference.”

The other half of this wonderful couple, Charlie Williford, has been in business for over 40 years as an expert contractor. He initially got the idea for his enterprise, Williford & Company, when he was just 18 years old and working as a painter for another contractor. “After two years, I said, ‘Shoot, I can do this myself.’ And that's how I got started,” recalls Charlie.

Today, Charlie employs carpenters, granite workers, plumbers, and flooring people as part of his talented team. He also subcontracts with other reputable businesses that he has established relationships with. In addition to being a contractor, Charlie is also a licensed insurance adjuster. “I know how the game is played and what the insurance company is supposed to pay the homeowners for their loss,” explains Charlie.

“They can't push the homeowner around if I'm with them. And I help the homeowners walk through the whole process, including contacting the mortgage company, getting an estimate, and whatever else is needed. This expedites the process for the client and maximizes what they get from the insurance company for their loss,” states Charlie.

Ask any business owner and they will concur that it isn't easy retaining competent, long-term employees, so it is a real a testament to the quality employer Charlie is, knowing that some of his employees have worked for him for over 35 years! What's even more amazing is that some of his employees’ children, who are now adults, have followed in their parents' footsteps and work for him, too.

It's quite evident that Charlie is a great boss. Everything he does is with integrity and pride in his workmanship and his employees reflect those qualities as well. Charlie is confident in his employees’ honesty and trusts them completely when they are working in a home where the owner has valuable possessions throughout the home. Of course, Charlie is bonded, but just the same, he knows he never needs to worry that his crew would ever act in an untrustworthy manner.

Often, the Williford’s businesses will intersect, and they’ll work as a team. When Rhonda is working with sellers who need a contractor to remodel their homes, she’ll recommend Charlie if they ask for her advice. She will tell them, “You can use who you wish, but if you need a trustworthy contractor, I have one!”

When expertise and experience matters, Rhonda is the key person to call!

Photography by Gwen Juarez

Most clients choose working with Charlie and Rhonda together as a team because they make a dynamic duo! Consequently, Charlie’s crew may do the painting, flooring, and other things needed that provide the appeal their home needs to maximize a selling price in a timely fashion.

The business partnership the couple embraces involves more than just referring clients to each other. Their shared principles in treating their clients like family has led them to go above and beyond the call of duty when their clients are going through difficult situations including offering their services and expertise at no charge. To illustrate, as a contractor, Charlie has done restorations for people who have home damages from a fire or flooding. These individuals need advice in many aspects of home improvement such as selecting flooring and paint colors, as well as planning a backsplash, updating a bathroom, or reconfiguring a space. Rhonda works with them for free in these areas. In addition, when Rhonda gets her home inspection reports back, Charlie helps her by writing estimates on repairs the buyers or sellers want.

The couple’s togetherness is a win-win situation, and their clients benefit most of all! This teamwork and dedication to their clients' well-being also means that Rhonda has been known to get up at midnight to paint a client’s wall, or that Charlie might run over to a seller's home to winterize the plumbing during an ice storm.

Charlie hard at work making plans.

Photography by Gwen Juarez

Formulas for success are usually complex and involve many factors. Aside from treating people like family, Rhonda and Charlie have other personal qualities that likely play a role in their success. For instance, rather than relying heavily on voice mail, they make themselves available to their clients and personally answer their phones throughout much of the day and evening. “It's important for me that clients are able to get in touch with me,” explains Rhonda. “And Charlie feels the same way. We understand that when someone is talking about their greatest asset, their home, they need to know you’re not ignoring them, and we see their concerns as urgent as they do.”

Just like Charlie, one of Rhonda’s standout features is her integrity. Her husband works with several Realtors®, but she will never take away a listing from one of them. In fact, if one of his clients complains to her about their Realtor®, Rhonda will call the Realtor® and convey what needs to be done to make the client happy. She encourages the client to work things out with the Realtor® if at all possible. Rhonda reflected, “I think everybody should be given a chance because you never know what somebody is going through at that moment in time. We don't try to step on anybody's toes.” Another personal quality that underlies Rhonda’s success is that people are drawn to her warmth and congenial personality. She is a “down home” girl at heart and everyone experiences it the minute they meet her. Her great charisma always makes people feel at ease. “I’ve been told by many that my energy just pulls people in,” says Rhonda with a big smile on her face!

According to Rhonda, one of Charlie’s best features that has helped make his company strong are his communication skills. “He is great at putting people at ease and assuring them a job will be done to their satisfaction. If my husband takes on a project, it's going to be done right,” states Rhonda. When Rhonda and Charlie meet with clients, they feel it’s vital to determine what their expectations are. Rhonda explains, “Everyone is different, so you can't assume that they’re going to think the same way that you do,” With this in mind, the Willlifords try to listen carefully to their clients so they can give them exactly what they want.

The personal and professional qualities that the couple bring to their work has earned them loyal customers.

When it comes to helping their clients, Charlie and Rhonda are the perfect combination.

Photography by Gwen Juarez

“We have repeat customers from years and years ago,” says Charlie. “I've done one house three times after it flooded each time.” In addition, most of their clients come from referrals, so they rarely have the need to advertise. “We get a lot of word-of-mouth business,” adds Charlie. The togetherness that is an integral part of the Williford’s business endeavors is likely a natural outflow from their close marriage. Although they have been married for over 14 years, they still act like honeymooners. When asked how they keep their relationship fresh, Rhonda and Charlie shared, “We always sit beside each other when we are dining out. And whether it is work or play, we love holding hands and being together.”

Truly, this marriage is a rare gem. “We can be together all weekend long, but when Monday comes and I go back to work, I just miss her terribly,” reflects Charlie. “The more time we spend together, the more we like it. We always are each other's sounding board and have the utmost respect for each other,” adds Rhonda. The relationship has fulfilled Rhonda’s long-held dreams about love and marriage. She elaborates, “I always wanted to be treated like a queen and be put on a pedestal, but I wanted to have somebody to treat that way as well. It should work both ways. I finally found that special person that I thought did not exist.”

Family life is also very important to the Willifords. They cherish each moment spent with their eight children, three of whom are Rhonda’s and five of whom are Charlie’s. The couple also dote on their five grandchildren. The Willifords are justifiably proud of their children, all of whom appear to have bright futures. The oldest, Lyndsay Richardson, a University of Houston magna cum laude graduate, is a pharmaceutical sales representative. The second to oldest, Stephanie Brown, a University of Houston graduate, runs one of the biggest restoration companies in the city. The next in line is daughter Reygan Cox. She is finishing up her degree in Hospital Administration and works as a tax accountant at Heights Financial Services. Son Jake Williford, a cum laude graduate from Texas Tech University, holds a Master’s Degree in accounting and works for Ernst & Young. Continuing down the line are twin daughters Ashtin and Story Williford. Ashtin is a Texas A&M Mays Business School graduate and employed with AT&T. Story is a University of Texas McCombs School of Business graduate and employed at Oracle. Daughter Waverlee Sykowski, a cum laude graduate from the University of Houston C.T. Bauer College of Business, is employed by Andersen Tax LLC. The youngest, Logan Sykowski, is currently in college and working towards his degree in Economics and Finance.

When asked how they juggle business with family life, Rhonda commented, “I still love homemaking tasks, gardening, and cooking, but sometimes juggling work and family means my house doesn't get as clean as I would like even though I’m a neat freak. But you know what? It all eventually gets done. We just make it happen. Recently, we became empty nesters and the pressures of balancing aren’t as demanding.”

The Willifords’ hard work and dedication to their clients has paid off handsomely. Their businesses are thriving and they enjoy the fulfillment that comes from working on projects with all their heart. They give over and above what is expected, and consequently, their clients are loyal as well. Since Rhonda and Charlie treat them as if they’re family, they have a bond with them that transcends mere business.

Although Rhonda and Charlie feel blessed by their business partnership, their life partnership is an even greater blessing. They are inordinately rich in the things that money can’t buy - namely love, respect, family, and a keen delight in each other’s company. At the end of each day, when all the work is done, they savor the quiet yet sublime joy that comes simply from being together.

Photography by Gwen Juarez

Rhonda and Charlie's Words of Wisdom for Success

1. Having the funds to start your business is essential. This means you need at least a few months’ worth of payroll and all your other overhead in the bank.

2. Be reliable. Do whatever you say you’re going to do. Clients need to know they can count on you and that you are a person of your word.

3. Make good communications a priority. We are there for our clients 12 hours each day. When a client calls and we are occupied, we answer and say, 'Just give us a few minutes and we’ll call you back.' As long as you communicate when you will be available and then do what you say you will do, you will prevent them from getting frustrated.

3. Treat your employees and your clients with respect and honesty and they, in turn, will treat you the same way. That's one of the reasons we have loyal employees and clients.

4. Be teachable and never stop learning. Don’t be the kind of person who thinks they know everything. There's always going to be a new scenario or project from which you’re going to learn something new. The more you know, the better you can help your clients.

5. Don’t let money be your motivator. Instead, let your driving force be on protecting your clients' best interests and meeting their needs to the best of your ability. You must focus on making the client happy. If you do this, you’ll be the first person who your clients will think about when they need your services. This will even happen if they have 10 friends who are your competitors.

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