Keeping Up With The Williams

Writer  /  Mary Ryan

If you were to ask Ryan and Shauna Williams 20 years ago where they would be today, chances are they wouldn’t answer with married, raising a family together and running their own very successful businesses. Both Indiana natives and Lawrence Central/Lawrence North grads, these two moved to the Geist area 15 years ago to raise their family.

Initially, Shauna was an educator and director, holding a degree in Early Childhood Education from Indiana University, and Ryan was in retail management for the last decade. As demand would have it, both Ryan and Shauna were very skilled in other fields which led them to leave their desk jobs and start Once Upon a Party and Indiana Farm Table.

Despite what you’re thinking, Once Upon a Party (OUAP) is not derived from a fairy tale. Shauna describes, “It’s actually literacy based. {A story they will never forget} is our tagline.” OUAP provides personalized parties to families, businesses, churches or anyone looking for a party their guests will never forget.

As a passionate advocate for literacy, Shauna not only hands out bookmarks to her guest of honor but gives books as gifts and donates books to those in need. Speaking of books, how’s this for a cool service? Shauna and her team, while not professional photographers, will take pictures at your event and put them into a photo book for you to enjoy forever. This frees up time for the parents to just enjoy watching their child have a great time!

OUAP is unique because of the variety of services they offer. Similar to previously planning activities for her students, OUAP allows her to exercise her creativity through face painting, balloon twisting, activities, décor, etc.

Take face painting, for example. Shauna recalls, “I kept getting asked to do it, and even though I was once considered an artist, I said I did not offer that. After the third or so request, I could see there was a need for it. Now it’s at least 85 percent of all I do; same with balloon twisting.”

A self-taught party planner, she’s contributed to the success of hundreds of parties so far and plans on thousands more. Loving the opportunity to work with children and be artistic, she’s created a party planning company that alleviates stress on the host.

x-style_26975976805_oIn response to a very busy party season this summer, Shauna recommends, “Plan ahead and plan early. People love to hold events outdoors, so have a backup plan in case of inclement weather. That’s where we come in to keep them busy, so 15 children aren’t swinging from your banisters!” Check out onceuponapartyindy.com for more information or find them on Facebook.

Shauna isn’t the only one running a successful business in Lawrence. Ryan has just launched a very successful company called Indiana Farm Table. Ryan recalls, “I got my start building DIY projects for my wife, and everyone loved what I made. I decided to try and sell a table that I made, and it sold in less than a day. The next table I made sold in less than two hours.”

That’s when he realized he was onto something big and created a Facebook page. Like several entrepreneurs, the power of social media and Facebook marketing boosted his business so much that he was able to step away from his full-time job and woodwork fulltime.

It’s no secret “farm style” dining tables and furniture are wildly popular right now. Sure, you can purchase a farm table at most of the major retail stores now. What you couldn’t purchase was a handcrafted, solid wood, quality table for a fraction of the cost, until now. Shopping local is a perk too!

What’s great about the rustic charm of farm house furniture? Ryan describes, “We can easily build any of our products for outdoor use. We just change the type of wood we use and the finish.” Everything he does is custom, so it’s always what the customer wants or needs at the time. Check them out at facebook.com/indianafarmtable or call 317-445-5629.

While the Williams’ are busy planning parties and crafting furniture, their children are quickly following in their eventful footsteps. Their two sons, Coleton (18) and Shaun (9), are busy bees too.

Coleton will graduate from Lawrence Central this year and was recently accepted into Harvard, holding a 4.0 GPA all four years of high school. He will be following his mother’s footsteps though and is heading to IU as a Wells Scholar, receiving a full ride to study abroad.

Shaun helps his Mom with great new ideas and clues her in to what kids are into and what they might like at a party.

Sounds like the Williams family isn’t slowing down anytime soon! 

Comments 1

  1. Becky Yelner says:

    I can personally attest to the AMAZINGLY care, preciseness, and quality of the work Shauna and Ryan do. Shauna made the perfect Fathers Day plaque this year for my dad. I was beyond impressed. Thank you so much Shauna!!!

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