The Success Story of James and Julie You

One of the best means to motivate young people is telling them a successful story of a person who had failed on many attempts to fulfill their dreams and yet, have the resilience and faith to keep their hopes alive. I am very proud of my fellow Taiwanese friend, James You, who overcame many obstacles in his early business ventures. He can now finally be recognized as an incredible success as an entrepreneur.
James You and his wife, Julie owned and operated the "House of You", a Chinese Restaurant in Marianna from 1984 to 2001. They also subsequently owned and operated a Seafood Restaurant in Graceville, FL for three years. After they sold the House of You (which now, is changed to the Fortune Cookie Chinese Restaurant) and seafood Restaurants, the Yous and their associates owned and operated four different restaurants in Albany, GA and also managed a shopping center containing 19 business spaces in Leesburg, GA from 2001 to 2007. After they sold their shares to their partners in Georgia, they were planning to retire and settle down in the Tampa Bay and Clearwater area.
This hard working couple simply could not enjoy their early retirement. In less than half a year time, they moved back to this area settling in Dothan, AL. . They and their new associates now own the "Egg Roll House", a Chinese Restaurant, as well as "Kobe", a Japanese Restaurant located in West Gate Mall.
They are native Taiwanese. James started in the U. S. as a chef for his brother at the "Fortune Cookie Restaurant" in Gainesville, FL in 1980. After working for his brother for one year, James, Julie, his two young daughters and James’ mother moved to Ocala, where they owned and operated a motel for one year. They discovered that they did not have much experience in motel management and therefore, they sold the motel and reinvested their resources into a Chinese restaurant in Independence, Missouri in 1983.
Those unproductive ventures in Gainesville, Ocala, and Independence did not discourage them. Still looking for an answer, they sold their business in Missouri and decided to move back to Florida. Traveling with a little U-Haul trailer behind their car, they checked many little towns along Hwy 231, which ultimately brought them to Marianna. This is where the family eventually moved in January, 1984.
Our oldest son, Mark, called us while Tama and I were vacationing in New Orleans to watch the Auburn-Michigan game at the Sugar Bowl on New Year Day, 1984. He told us that Mr. Jimmy Harkins had called to tell him that a young Taiwanese family had just moved to Marianna and they were looking for a place to open a Chinese restaurant. We rushed back and realized that Jimmy had already leased the Donut Den (across from McDonald’s on the West Lafayette Street) to the Yous. We also found that they had rented a small, unfurnished house on Smith Street. While grocery shopping at Winn Dixie right after we returned home, we serendipitously met the Yous. Jennifer was 5 years of age and Phyllis was just little over 2 years old and sitting on a grocery cart. Since there are not many Asians in the town of Marianna, we realized this was obviously the new Taiwanese family Mark mentioned.
Speaking in Mandarin for an initial self-introduction, my assumption was quickly confirmed. It was just like to have a new brother from our old country. We loaned them some of our furniture to help get them settle in. Our dear friend, Mr. James McGill also loaned them a refrigerator. Bernie Hall, who lived a couple of doors down from them, also lent her assistance and helped in taking very good care of their two little girls. Julie and James worked 7 days a week. They eventually moved the restaurant to a little bigger place near the railroad bridge on West Hwy 90, which was a Pizza restaurant at one time. The "Taco Tavern" had become the "House of You".
The Marianna folks were very nice to the Yous and supported them any way they could. In less than two years, the Yous bought 8.5 acres from Mr. Ross Sheffield. They lived in a house trailer for four years on the lot they bought and became a good neighbor of the Sheffield’s. Eventually, they built a beautiful new house in the subdivision of Forest Park in Marianna.
In 1990, they bought Kingry Restaurant on Lafayette Street. They did a complete face-lift for this old seafood establishment. They also redesigned and refurnished the entire kitchen and dining area with new equipment and furniture, as well as an air conditioning unit and heat pumps. They also expanded the parking lot. The new Chinese restaurant was then called "The House of You".
The You family lived in Marianna for 17 years. The girls attended our public schools. They were very studious and were outstanding students. They always proudly presented their perfect report cards to me, their "Uncle Paul" as they called me. As is our tradition, a reward of $20.00 was given to them for each perfect card.
Tama and I frequently attended the girl’s school functions on behalf of James and Julie who were busy in their restaurant. Some folks even thought we were their grandparents at the Honor’s Day and Beta Club meetings. Jennifer was the Valedictorian at Marianna High School in 1997 and a scholarship recipient at Birmingham-Southern. She received her Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) at the University of Alabama in Birmingham, School of Dentistry in 2005. Following her sister’s footstep, Phyllis was also the Valedictorian at MHS in 1999 and a scholarship recipient of Vanderbilt University. She received her Doctor of Medicine (MD) at University of South Florida on May 2, 2008.
Jennifer met her future husband, Justin Cotney at Birmingham Southern. They were married last year after he completed his Ph.D. in Genetics and Molecular Biology at Emory University. Jennifer is practicing general dentistry as an associate in Connecticut. Justin is doing his Post-Doctoral in genetic research at Yale University.
Phyllis met her future husband, Will Dunaway, while they were classmates at Marianna Middle School. They have been close friends for many years. Will received his DVM from the University of Florida in 2007. He and Phyllis were married six hours after she officially received her M.D., from USF. The evening wedding was held on a Sailboat at St. Petersburg Beach. Phyllis and Will have moved to Boise, Idaho, where Phyllis is a resident in the family medicine program and Will will be practicing veterinary medicine.
The immigrants, James and Julie have struggled to keep their businesses successful and have simultaneously supported their girls to enable them to have the best possible education. His hair has turned very gray at a young age.
After two decades of hard work, the following list depicts just some of their successful achievements: 1) to become naturalized U.S. citizens; 2) to have successful business; 3) both girls received their degree in higher education; 4) the family has expanded to six members, both of their son-in-laws received their degree in higher education also; 5) to have many Christian friends; 6) to own a nice house in Tampa Bay and a nice condo in Clearwater.
This article was initially intended to be called "An Immigrants Song". I would consider this is a beautiful song describing a beautiful story. There are plenty of other immigrant songs telling their successful stories about those who have attained excellence in business, academics, and entertainment fields. James You and Julie have taught us how necessary the attributes of faith and resilience are necessary for achieving a personal goal. I hope this story is also an example for helping young men and women think about their future.