Page 159 - South Mississippi Living - December, 2017

Continues
story by Kelsey Sunderman-Foster photos by Donn Hupp
“I am so blessed, and I have an obligation to give back to my community with what I have been given.I am especially
involved in helping children and those with addic“
support those causes any way I can.
tions, and
Butch Oustalet
With no jobs and no investor, the two set out to find new backers for their businesses. “We dressed up in coats and ties every day and went to the old Broadwater Marina restaurant to look for backers,” Oustalet said. “We also listened to the same song every day: “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now,” which now plays in each of my dealerships at 10 a.m. every day.”
The two continued their search for investors until one day Oustalet heard from his father, who wanted to know if he was interested in buying the Ford dealership. “I told him I was, and when he asked if I had the money, I lied and said that I did,” said Oustalet. “My father gave me one week to come up with the $600,000 he wanted and told me that if I failed, then I was out.”
Oustalet knew what he had to do. “I found two backers to sign for me, one of whom was like another father to me,” he said. “On our three signatures alone, Hancock
Bank loaned us the money. Thanks to them and the encouragement I received from Jimmy Estabrook, I was able to buy out my dad and move forward in my career.”
Today, Butch Oustalet’s dealerships have grown, earning him both success and recognition for his hard work and dedication. “I am so blessed, and I have an obligation to give back to my community with what I have been given,” he said. “I am especially involved in helping children and those with addictions, and support those causes any way I can.”
Oustalet is a large supporter of organizations such as St. James School, St. Vincent de Paul School, the Home of Grace, USM Gulf Coast, the Emeril Lagasse Foundation, the Boy Scouts and many more.
BUTCH OUSTALET FORD
9274 U.S. HIGHWAY 49, GULFPORT 228.863.5525 WWW.BUTCHOUSTALETFORD.COM
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