ENTREPRENEUR OF THE WEEK

A real love for machines and people

Angie Forbes and Darren Ebanks at the counter.

Tony Williams the art lover with unfinished wall mural
by his desk

Reave McKain selects oil for customer.

Freddie Creary in the repair and service bay

Tony Williams with office manager, Barbara Webb

Darren Ebanks in the well-stocked boutique

Tony Williams

Monday,  July 18, 2005

Even though he grew up in the business world with a father who had hardware and grocery stores in Jamaica, one of the main reasons that the business enterprise Tony’s Toys exists today has less to do with the pursuit of the almighty dollar and far more to do with Tony Williams’ deep-seated passion for anything to do with motor vehicles. 

“My father taught me the do’s and don’ts of business and he is still my advisor and my role model even up to today at seventy-seven years old,” said Mr Williams. “My Mom, on the other hand, was my business partner. She always encouraged me and said, “Son, you can do better.

Schooled at the elite Munroe College Boarding School for Boys in Jamaica and then moving on to the University of the West Indies where he completed his first degree in Management Studies and Accounting, Mr Williams moved to the Cayman Islands at age 21.

“I started visiting Cayman frequently from 1970, at age 14, to stay with some family members here’” said Mr Williams. After University my aunt encouraged me to apply for a vacancy with Roy West Trust, which is now Coutts & Company. I was hired on the spot. I stayed in that job for about a year and a half and then spent 18 years with Paramount carpets. It was after I left Paramount that I started Tony’s Toys.

For years, while working at other jobs, Mr Williams spend time with his friend, Rawl O’Sullivan who taught him everything he knows about cars. 
“He got me into racing cars, even though I always had a passion for them,” he said. “The only draw back is when your passion becomes your business, you no longer have time for the hobby aspect of it.”

Surveying Mr Williams’ office, it is easy to see the other primary passions in his life. On the wall there is a poem from his wife, Sharon. On the wall next to his desk there is an unfinished mural. On other walls there are certificates of appreciation for philanthropic contributions. And of course, there are more manuals on vehicles than can be read in a lifetime.

“Sharon and I don’t have any children of our own but we have so many that have become our,” said Mr Williams.

“I spend a good deal of time with young people and my need to stay involved with my community in many ways comes again from my parents and also from my Christian beliefs. I am also a lover of art and I was once very involved in the world of amateur photography.

“As far as young people and the increasing rate of accidents is concerned I feel sometimes young people are given vehicles that are inappropriate from them to drive at their age,” considered Mr Williams.
“Some parents have even selected vehicles from us for their youngsters and I have advised them to buy less expensive, less powerful ones.

“Tony’s Toys started in 1996 and we bought this building in 2000. That is the same year my Mom passed away from cancer. She is my inspiration for most things I have done and it is her inspiration that has also been strong in relation to Tony’s Toys.

“On the property we have one of our car lots. The other, our main lot, is opposite Tortuga Rums. We normally have approximately seventy cars in stock at any one time.

“We bring in new Mazdas direct from Japan and we carry a used car line that includes vehicles from Japan, Singapore and the United States. We also have a line of commercial vehicles. These are Isuzu made vehicles.
“We have a Service Centre for all Japanese made cars. As well, we have a wholesale department, as we are direct distributors for Castrol oils, 3K auto batteries, and Advantage air, oil and fuel filters. We are also direct distributors for other accessories such as Teine, HKS Automotive, Blitz and Apexi of Japan, Toda and Konig wheels.

“We are direct distributors for the Shaldan line of air-fresheners. If you log on (onto the internet) and ask for the nearest distributor for certain products, Tony’s Toys or Car Boutique in the Cayman Islands, which is us, will pop up. Our Car Boutique is not only an on-line shop but is another service shop at our main location. It has become very popular.”

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