Do you ever give thought to what motivates you to rise each day? What makes you get out of bed and put one foot in front of the other and move through this crazy world?
I was thrilled when I received the green light to go on assignment in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. Not only was I going to enjoy the beach, but my task was to spend some quality time with mother-daughter duo, Sarah Marie “Sam” and Olivia Cox. I planned to learn more about them and the history of their family-owned patio furniture store, Custom Outdoor Furniture and Restrapping.
On Sunday I greeted Olivia at Belin United Methodist Church, where Sam has been a member since 1988. The church sits right on the inlet, and as you enter and exit, you can’t help but be awestruck by the large cross in front of the church. We enjoyed joyful worship, complete with Sam singing in the choir—the hair literally stood up on my arms when the choir sang “Lift High the Cross” and Sam’s beautiful voice was the featured descant.
After church, I joined Sam and Olivia for lunch, and as we chatted, I learned the history of their business. And I also learned more about Sam and her personal and spiritual journey.
Sam’s parents, affectionately called Daddy Carrol and Mama Jane, began their business at the beach in 1979. Daddy Carrol found himself without a job and needing a way to support his family. They had a home at the beach, so he made his way there to get some direction, and soon he realized there was a need for refurbishing strap lounge chairs for hotels along the Grand Strand. Mama Jane kept the books, and Sam was 19 at the time and in college. Daddy Carrol started the business on the family’s front porch, and it stayed there for the next 15 years.
Sam married her best friend, Bryan, in 1984. In 1989 she gave birth to her son TC, and in 1992 she had Olivia. Sam felt like a very lucky woman. She had the perfect life and no real tragedy had ever struck her or her family. As her faith grew through the years, she realized there was no luck involved, but that these gifts were true blessings from God.
In 1994, they moved the business to an abandoned open-air fruit stand. This is about the time Sam approached her father about working for the family business. She was feeling the stress of having a full-time job and two small children, and wanted to have more flexibility and time with her family. Daddy Carrol agreed, and Sam began persuading him to consider taking on a few furniture lines in addition to his re-strapping business.
Things were going well until 1998, when one evening Sam was closing the furniture store and was brutally attacked and left for dead by a young couple her father had hired to work for the business. Sam only remembers the young man asking her to make change for him. The next thing she knew, she woke up in the hospital bruised and battered, almost unable to recognize herself in the mirror. Her family reported to her that the young couple had stolen everything they could get their hands on, including Sam’s vehicle. Sam doesn’t remember it, but she believes God lifted her off the ground that day and carried her next door for help.
With this tragedy, Daddy Carrol jumped into action and secured a new location for the business. Over the next eight months, Bryan helped Daddy Carrol construct a safe and secure building for the family to continue their business, and it’s where you’ll still find them today. The business really began to take off, and Sam’s brother Gregg came onboard, as well. Sam’s near-death experience led the family to make changes that led to to a successful business that has grown by leaps and bounds through the years. They have a loyal staff, and Olivia has now come on board to lead them into the future.
Unfortunately, in 2008 tragedy struck again when Sam’s son TC was killed in a car accident at the age of 19. Sam knew instantly this was the greatest loss of her life, but she also knew that TC was safe in the arms of his creator, never to be harmed again. And her faith has led her to chose to use her sorrow and suffering for good by helping others who are grieving.
My final question to Sam was, “What makes you get up each morning and put one foot in front of the other?” Without hesitation, Sam turned to Olivia, and said, “You, you are what makes me want to get up every morning.”
I immediately knew I had the question all wrong—it’s not the WHAT in life that should make us get up each morning, but the WHO.
As I enjoyed my drive home that afternoon, having a daughter of my own, I found myself inspired by Sam and Olivia’s relationship. There is an obvious mother-daughter bond, but I saw something more between them that could only come from their own life experiences. I also found myself doing an inventory of the WHO in my life, and wondering if just maybe Sam’s journey will do the same for you?
Jamie Wood of Southwood Marketing hits the road with her husband Tim, representing brands such as Telescope Casual in the Southeast.
Thank you so much, Jamie! Olivia and I always enjoy time with you. You are such a talented writer. <3 Sam
Thanks for trusting me with your story! Love you both!