Doug and Susan Williams recognized with USM honors
Special to The Clinton Courier
Doug and Susan Williams were recently inducted into the USM Alumni Hall of Fame and were also named the Boardman Distinguished Entrepreneurs of the Year.
The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Alumni Association recently inducted eight of its most dedicated and distinguished alumni into its Hall of Fame, including Clinton natives Doug (USM Class of 1979) and Susan Fasano Williams (USM Class of 1978). In addition to that honor, the couple has also been recognized as the 2023 Boardman Distinguished Entrepreneurs of the Year by the University’s College of Business and Economic Development.
For almost thirty years, the Williams have spent most of their waking hours together. The couple met at USM, where they studied commercial art and supported the Golden Eagles as cheerleaders. The Williamses have parlayed that meeting into a company that Entrepreneur has called “one of the country’s brightest success stories.”
Country Originals, now known as Kalalou, is a Jackson-based enterprise that sells tabletop, home furnishings and decorative accessories made in third world countries. The company sprang from a 1984 trip to Jamaica, where the couple found a $2 basket that Susan had recently paid $40 for in Jackson. The couple decided to order as many as possible, even returning at a later time to export more.
The trip was a launching pad, and they continued to import the natural woven baskets for three years. Then, the couple hit on an idea that made the product even more successful—dyeing the baskets. They did so by hand, but the baskets were selling too quickly to keep up. The Williamses decided to ship the dye to Jamaica and ultimately provided more local artisans income opportunities.
As their business grew, the Williamses chose to quit their “real” jobs—Doug worked for his family’s business and Susan sold advertising—and hired their first employee to answer the phone. Today, their business employs more than forty people.
The Williamses expanded their catalog of overseas suppliers when the Jamaican artisans could not fill a 20,000 watermelon-shaped-basket order by deadline. They now have more than twenty-five suppliers in over nine countries with over 1,500 products.
Their new name represents the unique product mix that fills their ever-expanding catalog. The word “kalalou” is Creole in origin for a type of soup that is never made the same way twice, much like many of the company’s artisan products. The soup is made in a social environment of family and friends, with many stories being told over the chopping of ingredients. Much like the making of the soup, the company’s catalog has printed many stories of Doug and Susan’s adventures as they grew their company.
The couple is on the road several months of the year, designing and sourcing new products the company sells, many pulled from Susan’s idea notebooks. Their range of items includes glassware, ceramics, iron goods, seasonal items, statuary, lighting, small furniture and garden and bath accessories.
“As art majors, it is very special for us to also be recognized for our business acumen,”
said Susan. “We grew our business one step at a time by merging our art degrees with ‘by the seat of your pants’ business techniques…And, here we are today. Thank you, USM, for our great foundation; and thank you, College of Business and Economic Development, for this great recognition.”
“The Alumni Hall of Fame is the highest honor bestowed to any alumnus of the University,” said Jerry DeFatta, executive director of the Southern Miss Alumni Association. “Each inductee has experienced significant professional accomplishment and contributed time and resources in moving the University forward. Their efforts have brought favor and distinction to Southern Miss, and we are honored to celebrate them in this way.”
“With unwavering dedication and a shared vision, Doug and Susan Williams exemplify the epitome of the entrepreneurial mindset as they are honored as our Entrepreneurs of the Year,” said Dr. Bret Becton, Dean of USM’s College of Business and Economic Development. “Their steadfast commitment to transforming a humble idea into a flourishing home furnishings and decor empire showcases not only their business acumen, but also their ability to turn dreams into reality. Beyond the boardroom, this dynamic duo’s philanthropic endeavors underscore their commitment to making a positive impact, weaving compassion and kindness into the fabric of their success story.”
The Williamses have been diligent about sharing the fruits of their labor with others for years. They know that while their company employs hundreds of needy artisans overseas, life in underdeveloped countries can still be devastating.
With that in mind, they started the Doug and Susan’s Kids’ Foundation, serving children in Haiti, Honduras, Colombia and the Philippines. Additionally, one hundred percent of the proceeds from the sale of certain products go directly to medical care, childcare, and other modern amenities for developing nations and their communities.
Closer to home, the Williamses and their employees built the Jackson Habitat House for Oprah Winfrey’s Angel Network.
The Williamses are both Life Members of the USM Alumni Association and reside in Clinton.
Suzanne, I played in the Clinton High School Marching Band, when you were a cheerleader. I greatly appreciated your very positive energy. I distinctly recall you passing out some cokes, to band members, and expressing your appreciation for the band’s presence. You were the very soul of graciousness, courtesy, and welcoming. The contrast was all the more so- given how impolite some other students were. I left Clinton at the age of 17. I spent 2 years in college, at the University of Michigan; took 2 years off to get residency, and lower tuition; went back, and majored in Arabic & Farsi. I then went into the Army, to pay off my student loans. My first wife ran off with my best friend- and I got custody of our then 4 year old daughter. I raised that daughter, she is married to a military guy. I remarried, had to divorce her- she went nuts- and married a great woman from Spain. We have a daughter by this marriage. I will always recall your courtesy, your positive attitude, etc. I do not recall ever hearing you insult anyone. Since I found you- I express appreciation. I don’t get back to Clinton, or even Mississippi, any more. My current wife & I are planning to move to Spain, next year. We have an autistic daughter. I have attempted to be as courteous and welcoming as you were- in my own life. I regret I have not yet reached your level- but plan to. I am so very happy to see you doing creative things. There is a Navajo word “hozho”, which can be weakly translated as “sparkling, harmonious, joyful, healing beauty”. For the Navajo, the purpose of life is creating ho zho. It is clearly also an intent you share. Given the Life Review, of say Dr. Raymond Moody, and others- it appears you will get to enjoy all the healing beauty I passed on, in your name. “A Christmas Carol”, about Scrooge, notes a Near Death Experience vision. The Egyptian Book of the Dead is a culturally Egyptian form of this, also. Please- never doubt just how much you change the world, by bringing healing beauty into it. You most absolutely changed my life. And your sharing of “hozho” IS changing your world. I assure you it is. Yes, I write thank you letters to those teachers that gave great lessons- I wrote even a few teachers at CHS. I guess the high school we knew is now a 9th grade. My father went to what is now the elementary school, at around 300 College street. Time marches on. Sei una guaritrice naturale, con la tua presenza e la tua gioia. Operi alla frequenza di Dio. Sono onorata di aver incontrato in te un angelo di bellezza scintillante, armoniosa, gioiosa e curativa. Ti auguro il meglio dalla vita. E quando vivrai la tua esperienza di pre-morte – e sperimenterai tutta la bellezza che hai creato per gli altri – come loro – capirai ciò che ho detto. Che Dio benedica abbondantemente te e i tuoi cari, ora e per sempre.