College of Business and Economic Development
Entrepreneur of the Year
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Each year, the College of Business and Economic Development recognizes an outstanding
Entrepreneur of the Year. This year, we will host the event on Friday, November 17, 2023 at noon in the Trent Lott National Center on the Hattiesburg campus.
2023 Entrepreneur of the Year
Doug & Susan (Fasano) Williams are owners of Kalalou, Inc., a home furnishings and décor wholesale company located in Jackson, Mississippi. With a catalog of 1,500 products and counting, Kalalou sells to more than 10,000 retail stores and mail order companies nationwide.
Nearly four decades ago, while vacationing in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, the Williamses became
inspired by items they found at the local, vibrant market square. Their ideas of creating
a thriving business flourished into an international wholesale company with a reach
that spans nine countries. Doug & Susan continue to travel the globe in search of
new additions to their product line.
Additionally, they have established charitable projects in several of the countries
where they conduct business, including the Doug and Susan’s Kids Foundation serving
children in Haiti, Honduras, Colombia, and the Philippines. Additionally, one hundred
percent of the proceeds from the sale of certain products go directly to medical care,
childcare, and other modern amenities for developing nations and their communities.
Doug & Susan credit their success and entrepreneurial spirit to their time and education at The University of Â鶹´«Ã½. Both art majors, they used their education and creativity cultivated by Southern Miss to create the business they have today. As cheerleader partners for the Golden Eagles, Doug & Susan like to think that their incredible spirit-filled college cheering days carried over into their entrepreneurial spirit for business that has never waned. The Williamses have generously given back to the university by funding the Doug & Susan Fasano Williams Stage in the Joe Paul Student Theater.
Entrepreneur of the Year Award Origin
The College of Business and Economic Development at The University of Â鶹´«Ã½ has a long history of producing outstanding graduates who go on to distinguish themselves in their career endeavors. In 2001, the College created the Entrepreneur of the Year to (1) showcase success in business and industry, (2) as a tool to bring nationally recognized entrepreneurs to visit with our students and faculty, and (3) to spotlight our focus on entrepreneurship as an academic endeavor. The Entrepreneur of the Year nominees must be a noted entrepreneur but do not have to be an alumnus of The University of Â鶹´«Ã½. This award is open to all who have endeavored into the world of entrepreneurship and found the drive and integrity to become successful. The celebrated entrepreneur is selected using several criteria, including:
- Entrepreneurial Spirit: The recipient saw a need, created a plan and created a business to fill that need.
- Strategic Direction: The entrepreneur realized their vision, defined what their growth goals are and how they differentiate themselves within their market.
- Impact: The entrepreneur has experienced measurable success in terms of revenue, operations and influence or acclaim.
- Innovation: The entrepreneur created something new, improved or revolutionized a current process or industry and they anticipate and embrace change and undertaken continuous improvement and innovation throughout their business.
- Integrity: The entrepreneur has a virtuous record on corporate social responsibility and their business has been a leader in their industry and had a positive impact on their footprint community.