Stuckey’s is a legendary and iconic thread in the fabric of Americana. Founded in Eastman, Georgia in 1937 by WS “Sylvester” Stuckey, Sr., Stuckey’s grew into a roadside empire by the 1970s, with 368 stores in more than 30 states. Part of the charm that made Stuckey’s so iconic were its ubiquitous billboards, more than 4,000 of them, which were dotted along U.S. highways. Stuckey’s was an inextricable part of what became known as “The Great American Road Trip.”
Fast forward to 2019, Stuckey’s was on life support. The brand had gone through hard times, and its former stand-alone locations, still identifiable by their teal blue roofs, were now relics of a bygone era. Some were abandoned and boarded-up; others became home to less-than-savory businesses. By this time the brand had changed hands multiple times and become an unprofitable line item on a bigger company’s balance sheet. But Stuckey’s was about to experience a surprising rebirth.
In 2019, former Georgia legislator Stephanie Stuckey, a practicing attorney at the time, received a fateful phone call. Stuckey’s, the brand started by her grandfather all those years ago, was up for sale. With no experience in running a business, 53-year-old Stephanie defied the odds (and the advice of virtually everyone she spoke to), cashed in her entire life’s savings, and traded her future to buy back and revive the business bearing her family’s name.
Since then, Stephanie has become a legend in the business community. A perfect storm of scrappiness, shrewd business sense and passion, she’s now a bone fide rock star with all the street cred to stage a successful turnaround. And she has the receipts to prove it. Under Stephanie’s leadership, Stuckey’s and its flagship pecan log rolls are back in black.
In this episode, Stephanie discusses growing up with an iconic last name, her career as a legislator and attorney, her decision to lay it all on the line to buy back her family’s business, how she’s rebuilt the brand, and what’s next for Stuckey’s.
Stephanie chronicles her life on the road at her Instagram account, @stuckeystop. Her new book, “UnStuck: Rebirth of an American Icon,” is available at Amazon or wherever you buy books.
If you like this episode, please check out some of our past episodes featuring female entrepreneurs:
Second Act Stories theme music: "Between 1 and 3 am" by Echoes
Fired at 64...An Entrepreneur at 66
Exiting the Courtroom: A Trial Lawyer Finds Nature Photography
Not Just For Kicks: NFL Place Kicker Returns For Diploma 33 Years Later
Honey, I Just Bought A Liquor License: Sharon Starts A Wine Store
Goodbye GE...Hello JC: Father James Martin's Second Act
Acting Is Her Second Act: A Public Relations Star Finds A New Role
James and the Perfect Burger: Redemption With A Side of Fries
The Last Laugh: 81-Year Old Man Tries His Hand At Stand-Up Comedy
Ready for Some Expert Advice? 23 Minutes with Marci Alboher
Getting Benchwarmers in the Game: Retired Engineer Keeps a Promise
From "Late Night with Conan" to Rikers Island
Goodbye Journalism…Hello Baked Goods
An Investment Banker Goes Back to School
Second Life Bikes is Her Second Act
From Big Law to Methodist Minister
A Doctor's Passion Takes Him to Uganda
A Second Act That's Clean and Sober
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The emPOWERed Half Hour
Reaching your Goals
Insights@work
Second Life
Radical Candor: Communication at Work
The Ken Coleman Show