What does it mean to live a truly substantial life? Can you look at the sum of your successes and failures and say that they were a job well done? A Summer Classic: The Bew White Story explores these questions and more though a biographical examination of the life of William Bew White III, the founder of Summer Classics, a premier manufacturer of "modern outdoor furniture crafted for a lifetime of livable luxury.
About Bew White
When Bew White III, CEO of Summer Classics, graduated from Auburn University in 1972 with a degree in textile engineering, the phrase "outdoor living" had hardly been coined, as outdoor furniture was simply known as a table and chairs you would find on a basic patio deck.
At just 28 years old, Mr. White left his job at his family-owned business, Avondale Mills, and started a sales representative company in 1978 called Vista Corporation, specializing in selling outdoor furniture. In 1987, Bew started multiple companies in an effort to expend from selling on the road to building a national brand. One of those companies was Summer Classics, which was created around Bew's thought of designing and manufacturing products that he would want for his own backyard. With a business model based on creating products that were consumer driven, would stand the test of time, and would not go out of style, Summer Classics officially took off in 1987.
Born in 1950 in Birmingham, Alabama to William Bew White II and Gabriella Comer White, Bew is the great-grandson of Braxton Gragg Comer, governor and then senator for Alabama, as well as the founder of the Alabama-based Fortune 500 textile company Avondale Mills.
He is also the subject of hte well-received biography A Summer Classics: The Bew White Story by Christopher Taunton.
The father of three wonderful children, Bew currently lives in Birmingham, Alabama with his wife and the love of his life, Wendy.
Podcast & Video Appearances
The Gray Beards have an awesome conversation with Bew White, Chairman of the Board of Gabriella White and it's brands, Summer Classics, Gabby, and Wendy Jane. A life-long entrepreneur, Bew has many experiences and words of wisdom to share. He proudly proclaims he has a MBA in mistakes and has learned some very important, although very expensive lessons. Bew recently partnered with author Christopher Taunton to capture Bew's life story in the biography "A Summer Classic: The Bew White Story". We hope you enjoy this as much as we did.
When Bew White, CEO of Summer Classics, graduated from Auburn University in 1972 with a degree in textile engineering, the phrase “outdoor living” had hardly been coined, as outdoor furniture was simply known as a table and chairs you would find on a basic patio deck. He is also the subject of the well-received biography Summer Classics: The Bew White Story by Christopher Taunton.
Interview with Bew White.
In October of 2013, Bew White was at the pinnacle of his career and success, Chairman of the Board of Gabriella White and its brands, Summer Classics, Gabby and Wendy Jane found himself in the emergency room, fighting for his life. It was that moment when he thought his life would end that led him to want to share his story with the world. His biography, A Summer Classic: The Bew White Story written by Christopher Taunton, is an Entrepreneur’s Tale of Love, Life and Business.
A Summer Classic becomes an inspiring ‘classic’ of how to climb the ladder to success, with all the important aspects of that assent related in the life of Bew White. Very highly recommended.
Post Pandemic Customer Experience with Ashley Ross & A Summer Classic with Bew White.