Family Roots

Southern hospitality reflects the religious beliefs in the region, the idea that one should be good to strangers.

ONE HOUR OUTSIDE BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA: According to the Harvard Business Review: “The job of operating a family-owned company is often complicated by friction arising from rivalries involving a father and siblings who hold positions in the business. Typically, the founder of the business considers it his ‘baby’ to nurture.”

“As a father of six, I understand responsibility,” said David Pursell, founder of Pursell Farms. “I don’t have a specific reason, but last year, I realized the need to create a succession plan for my family. But who do I tap to be the fiduciary? Do I bring in an outsider or a family member? If I tapped an insider [one of my children], I felt it was critical that they needed work experience outside the family umbrella to find oneself and learn business acumen.”

Fortunately, no friction arose during the succession plan.

David’s four daughters were married and enjoying being mothers. “I can’t think of a more important job than raising your children, so I turned my attention to my twin boys, Martin and Parker,” recalled David. “The duo are close and have an uncanny ability to finish each other sentences. Martin enjoyed living in Tennessee and was hesitant to move back to Alabama. On the other hand, Parker lived in Birmingham and had the outside know-how to run the business.

“Life has three important stages,” stated David. “You transition from caregiver to coach to counselor. No matter how much you enjoy controlling your company, it was time.”

Kitchen Table Discussions

 Last year, David appointed Parker as executive vice president of Pursell Farms. “I know what I wanted in life, and this was a path I wanted to take. My dad and I are compatible in so many ways,” revealed Parker. “He is the big thinker, while I’m more pragmatic. I found our kitchen table discussions over the years invaluable. The land on which our resort rests holds a special place in my heart. When our golf course was under construction, I would ‘tear up’ the mounds soil on my dirt bike before sprigging of the fairways took place!

“We are a family of faith. It is a pillar of our beliefs. As I grind and hustle, my devout dedication to God gives me hope, even when I don’t have all the answers.”

How Did This Place Get Here?

 The story of the Pursell family and their highly successful businesses in fertilizer and hospitality began more than a century ago.

“I received an unsolicited offer to purchase our thriving fertilizer company and, more importantly, our robust portfolio of 100+ patents and trademarks,” explained David. “At first, we were hesitant. After all, this was all our family knew for six generations. After 24 months of due diligence, the deal was closed.”

The impetus behind the resort at Pursell Farms began with a creative sales plan to invite golf course superintendents to a three-day, all-expenses-paid soiree that blended education and entertainment with the ultimate goal of growing the business.

“The Hurdzan-Fry golf course was utilized as a living laboratory to allow superintendents to see the benefits of our branded fertilizer. Over the years, we had 10,000 superintendents partake in the offer. Although we were no longer in the fertilizer industry, we retained the highly-rated Hurdzan-Fry golf course and lodge and knew how to run a hospitality business effectively,” continued David. “Thus, the resort was formed at Pursell Farms.”

More Than Checking a Box

The Pursell family has a devout relationship with God. “It’s much deeper than checking a box on a form that you are Christian,” explained David. “Faith requires patience, and let’s face it that we live in an impatient society. Our faith has been tested [50 percent of the family has Type 1 diabetes], but we believe everything happens for a reason. While death is a big question mark in everyone’s mind, we don’t dread the future. At the end of the day, you are measured by your character, not your worldly possessions.”

Worthy of a Visit

“I invite you to consider holding your next corporate retreat among our 3,200 acres of calming, undistracting space,” encouraged Parker. “From our UTV off-roading excursions to axe throwing team building events, you will be cocooned in Southern hospitality.”

“A visit to Pursell Farms invokes a feeling of nostalgia and will remind you of your ‘happy place,’” said David. “It starts at check-in with a freshly baked cookie and a glass of Ms. Chris’s mint tea! Next time you research where to vacation, ask about the story behind the destination.

“Every American can trace their family roots to a family farm,” concluded David. “In our tech-savvy world, where time seems more fleeting than ever—welcome home.”

For information on seasonal packages, please visit PursellFarms.com.