How A Self-Described Country Boy Built A Business In His Beloved Hometown

How A Self-Described Country Boy Built  A Business In His Beloved Hometown

By Justin Geurin

Herald Contributor

(Author’s note: This is the first in a series of interview-style articles where we will get to know some of the truly wonderful and unique people that make Water Valley such a great place to live. If you have any suggestions of who you would like to see interviewed in an upcoming issue, feel free to contact the Herald and let us know, thanks!) 

When my wife and I moved to Water Valley, we needed some contracting work done on our new home to make it fit our needs. Several friends suggested I talk to Brad Van Winkle. That was July of 2015, and now, just a few short months later, I consider him a friend and I was excited to get the opportunity to sit down with him for my first official column for the  Herald.

I am sure many of you know Brad (he insists on not being called, “Mr. Van Winkle”) as he has lived in Water Valley almost his entire life. But this is the inside story of how a self-described “country boy,” built his own business in his beloved hometown. 

He was born right here in Water Valley, at Dr. George Brown’s hospital, a building which still stands to this day. He got his first taste of building work at a summer job in Memphis, doing primarily carpentry work, where he learned how to build houses from the ground up. 

“Once you have laid 10 slabs of concrete for a home, you figure out how to do it,” Van Winkle explained.  Then, since he missed home, he returned to Water Valley to utilize his new skills. At the time, there were several longtime local builders and, as they got older and began to retire, he started picking up more and more work. He began building homes for people who worked with him, many of which had been granted a Farmer’s Home Loan; but his real big break came when former sheriff L.A. Jones approached him about building a dental clinic for his son, Andy Jones. 

Brad recalled he “felt a little embarrassed” about putting a sign up to advertise the project, but after about three weeks, L.A. Jones, himself, put a large sign in the yard that said, Brad Van Winkle Builder. The building is a familiar one here in town, and as they say, the rest is history. 

Fast-forward several decades to present day and  Brad has built approximately 160 custom built homes, along with several hundred home renovations, apartments, additions, and other projects ranging from Oxford to Batesville to Coffeeville, and “everywhere in between.” 

He is quick to give credit for his success to his parents, whom he described as “hard-working, simple people,” as well as several contractors he worked under. When I asked which particular job or project was his favorite, he could not choose, instead saying, “If the customer was pleased with the work we did, that was my favorite job for that day.” 

You notice he said, “We” which perfectly sums up Brad’s approach to his business. When speaking to customers at the end of a day or week or work, he makes a point of giving credit to his entire crew of workers, although, as he said, “Since it is my name on the sign, I take 100 percent of the responsibility for the job being done right.” 

I asked Brad what he liked most about building work and he stated that he loved the sense of freedom and excitement that came with each new job. “Once I finish a job, I know that I am going to move on to a new project, in a new place with new people.” 

He also said he loves working with carpenters, of all skill levels, and tries to hire people that he likes being around. He is gracious to the people of Water Valley for always being good to him and giving him plenty of work to do. When asked to describe the most challenging part of his job, without hesitation he cited the rising cost of materials and labor, which sometimes make it harder for him to keep the customers’ costs down. 

As he stated, “The toughest part is finding a balance between making the job as inexpensive as possible, while still satisfying the customer.” Sometimes this balance even leads to him getting on his hands and knees and doing some work himself, free of charge to the customer, to try to keep their costs down. 

Next we switched gears and talked about life in Water Valley. He makes no secret about it, he loves this town. For him, the best part of living in Water Valley, is, “You can be as social or as private as you want.” 

He brags on the people of this community, for their support of him and his business and even proudly told of how smoothly Water Valley handled the integration of the schools in the early 1970s, especially by comparison to all of the national attention garnered by the James Meredith situation at the University of Mississippi. 

“I have always been pleased with the school system here, they have done great 

.He described this community as, “Simple, with good people, and incredibly beautiful country.” 

In addition, when I asked him if he had any advice for the young people in our community, he replied, “If you say you can do something, you have to be able to back it up. Having experience and being experienced are two different things.” 

I think it is safe to say that Brad has a lot of experience, and many of the beautiful homes in this community (my garage apartment addition included) are shining examples of that fact. 

Now, I would like to close each weekly interview with a rapid fire section of questions, which are supposed to be fun and a little silly. Below are the questions and Brad’s answers, enjoy! 

What was your first car? 

1964 Chevy Impala Convertible from Maynor Motors

If you are stranded on a desert island, what are three things you would want to have with you? 

My wife and kids, a good radio, and a sharp pocket knife

Is a hotdog considered a sandwich? 

No

If you could have one superpower, what would it be? 

Healing

It’s Karaoke night, what is your go-to song to sing? 

“Johnny Be Good” by Chuck Berry

It’s your last meal, what do you want? (Entrée, dessert, and beverage)

My mother’s roast beef, a bowl of Neapolitan ice cream, and a big glass of sweet tea…