Today we’d like to introduce you to William McManus.
Hi William, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Growing up in a square mile town in New Jersey, I always had big dreams. I always knew one day I would have some form of business that I could call my own. But not only that, but would have the overall benefit of others to brighten their day in some way, shape or form. Living next to and also working in New York City, I had the sense that a new opportunity was always around the corner. My family was very frugal with their spending but always made sure we had what was needed. I always had a knack for selling things which started with my school lunches that I didn’t want. To my old skateboard and bike parts. And when I was done with old clothing or shoes, I would clean them up to make them look new and sell those. People told me I should become a salesman but I personally can’t sell things when it’s required or I don’t believe in it. And overall, me selling whatever item’s I had or was done using wasn’t just for getting money. It was to prove to myself that even when you have nothing, you can still make something.
I was a manager of Great Wall Chinese for a few years. I was running the front, taking orders over the phone and in person, checking inventory as well as helping the back cook. Almost every customer loved my personality and told me I should be on the radio or on TV because I would give them an experience that was more than just ordering food. I would always talk to customers with no filter just to show them that you can still have fun at work. But more importantly, to show that when you love your job and are happy. You never really have to work a day in your life, and I truly believe that. I’ve been a manager, landscaper, delivery driver, scenic carpenter, painter, brand ambassador and many other things throughout the years. For a while, one of my job goals was to become a Drug & Substance Abuse Counselor. I’ve met and known many friends, family and strangers that various substances have either taken control or fully taken their lives. I volunteered for a brief time counseling some of the misfortunate at Bergen Regional Medical Center in Paramus, NJ. When I started I would sit back and listen but the student quickly became the teacher as I would start and lead the sessions. Helping others for a better cause and to better themselves is my personal goal. I always wanted to be able to interact with people whether it’s over the phone, in person, in a group, one on one, customer, family, friend or even as the pandemic hit, through zoom. Appealing to people’s needs, helping others when needed and making someone’s day brighter or life easier is what I live for. Finding a way to make money doing that however was and still is the challenge. But what’s life without a challenge right?!
Moving to Texas with the New York state of mind definitely helped me move up quickly in this fascinating new city. I come from a fast paced lifestyle so talking fast, moving fast and learning fast are traits I have become more than accustomed to. Sadly, despite how quickly I learned, I also learned that the glass ceiling can only go as high as the company you work for. Many ideas were always up in the air but for some reason never put into play. So I decided it was up to me to break through. I used my gained knowledge to create something unique of my own. Since I spent so much time in the food industry I thought it would be a good idea to take the things I loved back home and bring them here. And one thing NY/NJ that is big there is breakfast! Normally I run before I can walk but for once I figured I’d start small. So I thought, “what’s a breakfast food that everyone loves?” Then it came to me. Parfaits!!! And as Donkey from Shrek would say
“Parfaits! Have you ever met a person, you say,
“Let’s get some parfait,” they say, ”
Hell no, I don’t like no parfait.”?
Parfaits are delicious!”
And indeed they are! With my intensive need to do more and the ability to create connections with people I’ve come in contact with. I started thinking about where would be a good place to start. I would spend a decent amount of my time brainstorming ideas at Barrett’s Coffee to the point where I became a regular. It was then, i realized this would be the perfect place to start. Barrett’s quickly adopted my parfaits that would soon become a hit with not only the employees but customers as well.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Being new to Austin, and Texas in general, has made the road ahead bumpy from the beginning but I’ve made sure the road I leave behind is freshly paved. One of the hardest struggles I’m coming in contact with is trying to find local businesses to connect with. I had come across a few places that have seen me enough to where I became a regular but not enough for them to test the waters. I felt like I had an amazing homemade healthy product but with a place to call it home. I started by going from every small market in South Austin slowly working my way downtown. I’m the type that doesn’t mind being told no as long as there is reasoning behind it. A few places I had been tolloved my products but couldn’t decide whether it was right for them. From there I learned trial and error and how to not only approach the owners. But to also connect with the customers first. Being a regular had given me some advantage but only towards the employees working. I chose to instead become a regular to the regulars. I tried thinking about the third party perspective. Theoretically, If I were a business owner and a random person came into my establishment attempting to sell anything. There might be a chance I would look into the person and, say the product, but with no background it would be a shot in the dark. But If said person would have been recommended to me by a known customer, there would be more incentive to pursue their interest. With that thought process in mind, I stopped comparing being a regular as an “in” to promote myself. Too in return, take more interest in the community and customers to see what exactly they want. Talking to random people isn’t really a struggle for me but keeping in contact outside that specific environment is definitely a challenge. Everyday from then, till now and beyond I try to make it a goal to learn a new skill. Meet someone new or if not learn something new about someone I’ve already met. Or go outside the box fully and do something I would normally either avoid or would be a last resort. For example, there were many times I would go out to movies or 6 Flags or golf. Anything fun with friends basically. But out of those many times, there were ,I’d say, about 40% of those I spent waiting for someone to come do something with me. After time and time of being left in the dust, one day I said “I’ll just go myself why not.” It was then I made my own quote. “If you keep waiting for someone to do something, then you will never do anything.” From going outside my own box I was able to make more connections and go on adventures I would’ve never thought would happen. Now, I try to spend more time outside the box to ensure myself that no opportunity will go missed. Finding new shops and people that would like to either carry my products or collaborate for something new is still a challenge. But once again, what’s life without a challenge!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Well for now I’m mostly known for my parfaits that have been featured in a few pop ups, one coffee shop and are loved by many. I don’t want to say I specialize in anything specific because I want to be versatile in what I’m able to provide. I make healthy food products with my personal homemade recipes. All items are made with the intent that they’re meals you could have at any time of the day and not have to worry about extra additives, processed contaminants and unnatural flavorings. Bringing people together and creating a Wholesome, Satisfying Meal is what brightens my day. Some of my customers have certain ingredients they can’t have, others have diabetes so they can’t ingest too much sugar. Others are on a strict diet and are limited to a very bland diet. For these select customers, I make personalized dairy free, sugar free, gluten free and vegan options to attend to everyone’s needs. I would never want someone to feel limited to what they can do, have or eat when there are a variety of ways to adjust what goes in, to get the desired results of what comes out. I personally don’t believe in throwing away food that is still good. So for all of my items that aren’t sold, I go around to the homeless sites (the few that are left) and I give them a bottle of water and something to eat. There hasn’t been a day that I haven’t been able to feed those in need. It’s a goal of mine to Ensure Everyone Eats! One year ago I was homeless and the community helped me eat and gave me motivation to get up and make something from nothing so I want to encourage others to do the same! All it takes is one good person, one opportunity presented or even one home cooked meal to make someone’s day. I can say with confidence that I give away more than I sell but to me it was never about the money coming in. It is all about what I give out. And making sure everyone is well. Focusing on the Wellness of others has helped me strive to ensure the Wellness of myself.
I also do my best to promote the places that have helped me create and start my business to where I am now. Barrett’s Coffee is the #1 voted Best Coffee in all of Austin. In great thanks to them, I promote them through social media and word of mouth. They definitely have more than the average cup of Joe. Speaking of Joe, I provide Genuine Joe’s Coffee with extra hands when needed, not including food products. You may or may not see me at the shop but when they’re short on supplies or having new equipment coming in. Be assured I’m in the back making their lives just a bit easier to overall ensure the continuous quality you all know and love. The Austin Salt Cave in Lakeway had gone a bit under since the pandemic hit and the new owners took over. I was requested to come in and brainstorm how to bring back the business to its former glory. I have done small interior design projects as well as fully tore down and reorganized multiple warehouses to create, not only, a friendly work environment for the employees. But to welcome and encourage new clients to come in, look around and enjoy the ambiance. With little to no information about the Austin Salt Cave, I was also encouraged to create anything to bring people in. So with that, I produced four monthly subscription packages for easy, convenient service without the unneeded extras. And just in case that wasn’t enough or maybe wasn’t for everyone, I also produced an At-Home bi-monthly subscription for those who need the service but maybe can’t make it. If you have a business, start up or even a shop you build in your garage that needs promoting, social media broadcasting or anything to amp up the clientele. Be sure to ask and I’m sure we can make something from nothing! From wholesome healthy quality food, to floor plans, organizing and the rearrangement of your business, to promoting and creating new ways to reach your customers and even an extra set of hands when needed. WSM Enterprise will be sure to make the process a breeze.
How do you think about luck?
Luck is something that for years I rarely had. I don’t wanna say I got lucky with what I have now. But I would say everything happens for a reason. Leaving one job to find the next. Meeting people from the next to help build my own ideas. Using knowledge learned from multiple businesses over the years to create my own. I wouldn’t want to say that’s lucky but nevertheless I am eternally grateful for those who helped me along the way. Lucky or not we all take the appropriate steps needed in order to fulfill our own dreams.
Pricing:
- Parfait Classic 12oz (Plain, Vanilla, Strawberry) – $5
- Parfait Creative 12oz (All other flavors) – $6
- Simple Salads – $7
Contact Info:
- Website: wsmwellnessatx.com
- Instagram: @wsm_ enterprise @williams_wellness_atx
- Facebook: facebook.com/wsm-enterprise @wsmatx
- Twitter: @WellnesWsm
