Name: Pete & Sherry Wilson
In Town: Married nearly 29 years, Sidney “Pete” and Sherry Wilson have been operating Wilson Construction and Remodeling for 20 years. “He does everything,” Sherry said with a smile. “In the beginning, I helped with the construction but with the kids, the house, the horses, I finally said, I’m going home and answering the phone.” Pete did factory work for years before he decided, “I’d rather starve than do that anymore.” Looking back he noted, “I was young and began with re-modeling jobs and learned fast. I enjoy the job immensely and have built up a good customer base and now do new houses.”
In the Country: “We’ve had horses, almost from the beginning,” Pete explained. “Our current horses we’ve had for the past 10-15 years, and along the way, we’ve raised calves and Yorkshire pigs. Recently, we bought 22 acres. This last year we bought seven heifers and a bull, red and white Hereford mix. It’s probably the worst time to invest in them, but…" He shrugged with a grin. “Our plan is to raise them up to produce more.”
Family: The Wilsons have a daughter, Peggy, and a son, Sid, who was killed in a car accident in 2005, and a total of seven grandchildren, plus an eighth on the way, later this year.
How do you balance the time between your business, the animals, and other activities?
Pete laughed, “Time is, without a doubt, my biggest challenge. When I first started, a relative told me, I’d never make it on my own, but I’m always working, getting something accomplished, and that seems to make the difference.”
Sherry added, “He’s kind of hyper and he is always busy.”
What's your advice for someone starting their own business?
“Do it with zest, whatever you do,” Pete stated without hesitation.” In any business, farming, construction, find what you love and do it whole-heartedly. Keep God first in your life, and take pride in your work. In other words, do the work the way you would like somebody to do it for you.”
By Laura L. Valenti
