6 minute read
STEVE & AMIE MAYES with Two Tickets to Paradise Cottage & Red Head Barrels
Barrels, Business, & Beaches Barrels, Business, & Beaches
by Deonna Osborn
Zig Ziglar could have been talking about Steve Mayes, owner of Red Head Barrels.
Steve graduated from Broadmoor Senior High in Baton Rouge, La. While still in school, he made the decision to join the Navy and serve his country, continuing on to active duty immediately following graduation.
In the mid-1990s, Steve joined Amway, which introduced him to the business world and particularly the importance of goal setting, networking, and marketing. A book entitled “Rich Dad, Poor Dad,” by Robert Kiyosaki, taught him about building businesses that would act as both assets and passive revenue streams, launching a lifelong habit of goal setting and a quest to create such a business.
In the early 2000s, Steve moved to Dallas and co-launched a company that helped thousands of people start their own successful internet businesses. In just six years, the company grew to a net worth of nearly $15 million and boasted over 250 employees. This company, along with a string of subsequent successes, allowed Steve to enjoy increased flexibility while remaining active in the business world. He was afforded the opportunity to spend increased time with family and engage more actively in his beloved Wylie community through activities such as the Wylie Chamber of Commerce.
During the 2012 State Fair of Texas, Steve and his soon-to-be-wife Amie discovered the idea for Red Head Barrels as they brainstormed other product models. Within three months, a website was launched. They enjoyed overwhelming sales success during Black Friday 2013, and Steve and Amie decided to fully commit to Red Head Barrels as a couple and a company.
Red Head Barrels creates handmade custom whiskey barrels, ideal for smoothing and flavoring liquors, vinegar, or hot sauce. The barrels are purchased as gifts by individuals from the lay consumer to the most discerning liquor connoisseur.
During the summer of 2013, Steve married Amie, his best friend and business partner. Her background as director of sales for Hilton Hotels brought some unique
and valuable skills to the venture. After watching the business grow 1,940% in the first four years, the two decided to take a “leap of faith,” as Amie described it, and Steve made the company his primary job within a couple of years. In 2020, Red Head Barrels sold over 30,000 barrels to businesses, distilleries, and individuals. Several major companies have incorporated the services and expertise of the company, displaying and storing their liquor primarily through the beautiful engraved barrels. This included Elijah Craig, Bacardi, Patron, and many others.
Steve and Amie began thinking of life after 12-hour days. Calling himself, “ambitiously lazy,” Steve focused on the importance of striking a perfect life balance. They had a seven-year plan and began looking forward to 2020, at which point they would be empty-nesters. Although they wanted to ensure that the business continued successfully, they looked forward to being able to step away from being a daily physical presence.
They started to explore boat shows, looking into the option to travel the world by sea. Deciding to acquire a second home, they explored options in various locations. In 2020, they decided on a property in the U.S. Virgin Islands on St. Thomas. Steve’s flair for business and Amie’s hospitality experience made a bed and breakfast a natural choice for the property. They purchased the home in June 2020 and immediately started renovations. The couple then returned to Wylie in July, sold everything and permanently moved in August 2020.
Because COVID had shut down the island to visitors, they saw the property for the first time the day of closing, conducting all transactions remotely. Steve again trusted his intuition, and their dream became a reality as Two Tickets to Paradise Cottage launched in April 2021.
Two Tickets to Paradise is nestled on the north side of the island on Papaya Hill, aptly named for the plethora of papaya trees. The cottage is located on Steve and Amie’s property, yet distanced far enough away to allow for privacy and enjoyment of the guests. A onebedroom efficiency, it is completely furnished and stocked with a full kitchen as well as access to the heated pool, fully stocked tiki honor bar, and outdoor cabana. It has been said the property resembles a mixture of Swiss Family Robinson meets Jimmy Buffet. It is extraordinarily relaxing and undoubtedly run by some of the finest individuals Wylie has to offer.
The couple enjoys the continuation of their volunteer passion as they commit to beach clean-up and supporting local businesses in their new community, as they once did in Wylie. Amie is active with the St. Thomas Humane Society, which helped over 100 dogs fly off the island to find homes in 2021.
Steve and Amie run Red Head Barrels mostly from their remote location, as they currently enjoy a fulltime residence in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The couple visits Wylie on a regular basis to catch up with family and to check on the business. The dayto-day operations are run by Jennifer Crossley with five shop employees, who handle all the shipping, receiving, engraving, and customer service. Red Head Barrels also employs part-time employees as needed throughout the year. Steve oversees the marketing, including all website traffic and online sales. The Mayes have truly developed a unique business plan, allowing both entities to flourish.
When asked for a piece of advice to future business leaders, Steve’s main focus lies on setting goals and following through with set objectives. He said that regular goal setting played such an important role in his success, and he believes this to be foundational for success.
There is no doubt that Steve and Amie Mayes, Red Head Barrels, and now Two Tickets to Paradise Cottage have exemplified a unique business model to the community. We are fortunate to learn from Steve’s experience and to benefit from his entrepreneurial skills. •
redheadoakbarrels.com
twotickets.vi
