Gary Kappen says “only in America” could his story exist. And when you hear how his personal story and business evolved, you’ll be thinking more specifically, “only in Texas.”
Today Kappen owns, operates and serves as president of a company he founded in 2008 - William Grant Tank & Vessel, Inc. in Henderson. It’s a company that has grown and turned a profit every year since it began (save the 2020 with its unprecedented circumstances).
Kappen shares how far he’s come. Not long out of high school in the early 1980s, he suddenly found himself without a plan after scrapping his initial path to follow his father and grandfather into the restaurant business.
Technically born in Shreveport, Kappen’s family’s address at that time was in Texas, so he’s always happily claimed it. The family initially had a restaurant, which they sold to a company that ultimately moved his father and family to Wichita, Kansas, and then Louisville, Kentucky. Kappen was 13 when his dad took a job with Kettle Restaurants and announced to the family they were moving - so appropriate for this podcast - back to Texas. Kappen recalls the excitement, and not just because dad informed him their beloved Dallas Cowboys would be on TV every week here.
“Just that word: Texas,” Kappen says. “You know you are moving to a very exciting place.”
In this episode, learn how that move was the first in a series of events that brought him right where he needed to be. Along the way, you’ll hear Kappen recall with humor how he learned about the difference between bulls and steers, plus other important life lessons through FFA and living in a much more rural community. Kappen also shares his career journey from teen busboy/pancake flipper/management candidate to getting a break from a customer, which landed him on what he says is the lowest rung in a vessel shop. But from there, he worked hard, learned every part of the business over 21 years, and left the company as an officer. He helped grow another business locally before setting out with a partner to start their own: William Grant Tank & Vessel, which if you wonder, stitches together his and his cofounder’s lesser-used names, which are also shared by a son of each founder.
Highlights and quotes from Kappen about how doing business in Texas has been game-changing:
East Texas Regional Development Company helped them secure an SBA loan that paired them with a local bank that backed their passion and ambition.
A strategically structured deal with Henderson Economic Development Corporation (HEDCO) that catalyzed their success by providing land - critical leverage in further growing the business and creating jobs.
“Northeast Texas is absolutely loaded with skilled workers. You are in Henderson but you are pulling from all around. What’s funny is these people aren’t going to get in a traffic jam on the way to work.”
“Employees in Northeast Texas are loyal to the company they work for. People ask what kind of turnover we have, and there have been years when I have said “none.” One of the things you aren’t going to find in Texas is there are not a lot of unnecessary regulations. So, if you’ll just do things right - don’t pollute the atmosphere and take care of the environment; make sure your people are safe and there is an environment of safety … Texas will leave you alone to conduct business. And I’ve never lived in another state as an adult, but I just couldn’t imagine a state income tax.”
Special thanks to our sponsor for this episode, Henderson Economic Development Corporation.
Episode Sponsor:
https://hendersonedc.com/Texas ED Connection:
https://TexasEDConnection.com William Grant Tank & Vessel:
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