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Bew White

A Summer Classic

The Bew White Story

What does it mean to live a truly substantial life? Can you look at the sum of your successes and failures and say that they were a job well done? A Summer Classic: The Bew White Story explores these questions and more though a biographical examination of the life of William Bew White III, the founder of Summer Classics, a premier manufacturer of "modern outdoor furniture crafted for a lifetime of livable luxury.

"A Summer Classic becomes an inspiring 'classic' of how to climb the ladder to success, with all import aspects of that ascent related in the life of Bew White. Very highly recommended."

-Grady Harp, Amazon Top 100 Hall of Fame Reviewer

"A Summer Classic: The Bew White Story is engaging from start to finish, full of colorful details and antidotes that bring it to life and help the reader grasp the complexity and character of its protagonist. This is, at its core, a story of love and leadership which resonsates beyond the business world and will teach crucial lessons - both personal and professioal - to anyone with ambition and a drive to succeed. Highly recommended!"

- Jessica Rofino, Writer and Educator

"This book will both inspire you and inform you of the many challenges faced by one man and how he went about overcoming these obstacles on his road to success. It's essential reading for any aspiring entrepreneur." 

- John Kelly, Detroit Free Press 

About Bew White

When Bew White III, CEO of Summer Classics, graduated from Auburn University in 1972 with a degree in textile engineering, the phrase "outdoor living" had hardly been coined, as outdoor furniture was simply known as a table and chairs you would find on a basic patio deck.

At just 28 years old, Mr. White left his job at his family-owned business, Avondale Mills, and started a sales representative company in 1978 called Vista Corporation, specializing in selling outdoor furniture. In 1987, Bew started multiple companies in an effort to expend from selling on the road to building a national brand. One of those companies was Summer Classics, which was created around Bew's thought of designing and manufacturing products that he would want for his own backyard. With a business model based on creating products that were consumer driven, would stand the test of time, and would not go out of style, Summer Classics officially took off in 1987.

Born in 1950 in Birmingham, Alabama to William Bew White II and Gabriella Comer White, Bew is the great-grandson of Braxton Gragg Comer, governor and then senator for Alabama, as well as the founder of the Alabama-based Fortune 500 textile company Avondale Mills.

He is also the subject of hte well-received biography A Summer Classics: The Bew White Story by Christopher Taunton.

The father of three wonderful children, Bew currently lives in Birmingham, Alabama with his wife and the love of his life, Wendy.

Podcast & Video Appearances

The Gray Beard Chronicles Episode 141

The Gray Beards have an awesome conversation with Bew White, Chairman of the Board of Gabriella White and it's brands, Summer Classics, Gabby, and Wendy Jane. A life-long entrepreneur, Bew has many experiences and words of wisdom to share. He proudly proclaims he has a MBA in mistakes and has learned some very important, although very expensive lessons. Bew recently partnered with author Christopher Taunton to capture Bew's life story in the biography "A Summer Classic: The Bew White Story". We hope you enjoy this as much as we did.

WWDB-AM Talk 860

When Bew White, CEO of Summer Classics, graduated from Auburn University in 1972 with a degree in textile engineering, the phrase “outdoor living” had hardly been coined, as outdoor furniture was simply known as a table and chairs you would find on a basic patio deck. He is also the subject of the well-received biography Summer Classics: The Bew White Story by Christopher Taunton.

The Tom Sumner Program

Interview with Bew White.

Talk! with Audrey

In October of 2013, Bew White was at the pinnacle of his career and success, Chairman of the Board of Gabriella White and its brands, Summer Classics, Gabby and Wendy Jane found himself in the emergency room, fighting for his life. It was that moment when he thought his life would end that led him to want to share his story with the world. His biography, A Summer Classic: The Bew White Story written by Christopher Taunton, is an Entrepreneur’s Tale of Love, Life and Business.

Nothing Like a Good Book - Episode 15 

A Summer Classic becomes an inspiring ‘classic’ of how to climb the ladder to success, with all the important aspects of that assent related in the life of Bew White. Very highly recommended.

The Dr. Pat Show 

Post Pandemic Customer Experience with Ashley Ross & A Summer Classic with Bew White.

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