[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 52 (Monday, March 26, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E370]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING TAYLOR CANDY COMPANY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 26, 2018

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
remarkable public servant, Walter and Ozie Taylor, who are well 
respected Jackson entrepreneurs, set the bar high years ago when 
crafting a business model that's helped propel Taylor Candy to success 
in the Washington Addition community in Jackson.
  Mr. Taylor came from a family of entrepreneurs. His father operated 
several stores and Laundromats and several other relatives owned 
various businesses. Mr. Taylor got his feet wet in business by 
establishing his own route while operating his first truck as an 
independent distributor through his cousin's wholesale candy 
distributorship. This led to the Taylors obtaining an SBA loan and 
establishing Taylor Candy Company at 1519 Cox St., which was later 
moved to the present location next door at 1523 Cox St. During this 
time, Mrs. Taylor joined in operating the company full time, after a 
nine-year teaching career. Mr. Taylor, also a short tenured school 
teacher, said ``I needed a dependable and trustworthy associate, if the 
business was to be successful and so I beckoned her from the classroom 
and the rest is history.'' At the height of the business' activity in 
the 1980's, the company had many employees and a total of nine 
independent distributors. The Taylors now operate the business solely, 
with occasional assistance from part-time workers.
  In 1974, the Taylors received acclaim from a prestigious minority 
business organization that named them ``The Most Improved Business of 
the Year.'' Also in 1997, the business was featured as an outstanding 
small business in a local publication.
  The Taylors offered these words of wisdom to budding entrepreneurs: 
``You should have the right attitude toward your business pursuit. 
Don't be afraid of failure. Failure gives you an opportunity to set a 
goal to understand what you have to do to improve. There are going to 
be downfalls. Let downfalls or failures be used as motivations for 
growth rather than reasons for giving up.''
  They said when they first started the company, the School of Business 
at Jackson State University, the couple's alma mater, provided 
counseling.
  Through the years, the Taylors have supported community activity 
through giving to and participating in religious, social and 
educational programs and projects. Fellowship of Christian Athletes has 
been a benefactor, as well as numerous neighborhood schools and 
churches.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Taylor 
Candy Company for their dedication to serving others.

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