By Staff
EMBDC BREAKFAST – Becky Farley, left, of The Riley Foundation, speaks today with Bill C. Hudson Jr., president and chief executive officer of Hudson's Salvage Inc. Hudson was at Peavey Electronics Corp. Plant 17 to talk with business leaders during an East Mississippi Business Development Corp. Business Before Hours meeting. Photo by Paula Merritt/The Meridian Star
By Fredie Carmichael / staff writer
March 9, 2004
The president of one of Mississippi's most successful discount retailers challenged local business leaders today to become motivated and succeed.
Bill C. Hudson Jr., president and chief executive officer of Hudson Salvage Inc., handed out napkins as people entered the auditorium at the Peavey Electronics Corp. plant in North Meridian.
On each napkin, titled "Dad's Napkin," were three scribbled words: "Desire," "Plan" and "Goal."
Hudson Salvage Inc. has 28 retail stores in Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana; the company employs about 800 people. The Meridian store moved last year from its Value Fair Mall location to North Frontage Road.
Before taking the stage, Hudson said Mississippi's existing businesses are one of the state's biggest economic drivers. He said they will play a key role in job creation in the state.
Hudson said one of the biggest problems threatening existing businesses and the state's economy is what he called "lawsuit abuse."
Hudson gave Mississippi's newly elected Gov. Haley Barbour an "A" for his efforts to boost the state's economy.
Wallace Strickland, chairman of the EMBDC, said even though his group continues to recruit new industry to the area, he understands the importance of existing businesses.
Hudson said he was honored to speak on the stage at Peavey's.