Star City 6: Rick Willet
A newly acquired division of Willet Construction, Inc., Sutter Place Interiors provides complete interior design for people looking for an extraordinary experience. Rick Willet is the owner of Sutter Place Interiors.
Tell us a little about your business.
We offer the following services: space planning, furniture layout, fine art curation, accessory placement, paint/palette selection, window treatments, and an updated Kitchen & Bath Design Center. Our design team will work with you to make your dream become reality using unique and top-quality products.
How did you get started in the business?
While in high school I worked for a construction company and loved it. I have been doing remodeling in Lincoln since 1979. My wife, Marcia, and I started Willet Construction, Inc. Remodeling Specialists in 1995 with a goal to provide customers with an enjoyable design/build remodeling experience with top-quality service and products. This year, we were approached by Dean and Sherri Fandrich wanting to sell Sutter Place Interiors and retire after 44 years of great service to the Lincoln community. We loved the opportunity to expand our services to include one of the best interior design companies in Southeast Nebraska. We purchased the business in July of 2016 and have retained the same wonderful design team that has made Sutter Place Interiors great for many years.
What has been your most important achievement professionally?
Being blessed with 17 great employees that I really enjoy working with. Many of them have been with us more than 10 years.
Tell us a little about your family.
Marcia and I have been married 36 great years. Our children and their spouses are: Brian (31) and Michelle Willet, Melissa (29) and Peter Barber, Jason (23) and Heather Willet. We have four grandsons and one granddaughter coming in November.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life?
In 1979, I heard that being a sinner, I could not get to heaven on my own. In Romans 6:23 the bible says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” I believed this to be true so I received Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off?
Spending time with my wife and grandchildren. Also, golfing, hunting, fishing, and other sports.
What are you the most proud of?
Our three children and the wonderful spouses they chose to join our family. We have the best daughters-in-law and son-in-law we could ever dream of.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
“Forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:13-14. Dwelling on the past would be fruitless. But we must learn from it and keep focused on living each day for Christ.
What is your favorite TV show?
Reruns of Home Improvement with Tim Allen. Hilarious!
What is your favorite local restaurant?
Applebee’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill for great food and service. Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers for chocolate shakes.
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be?
Tom Osborne (Hey coach, give me a call).
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?
At any of the following: Sutter Place Interiors office: 402-483-2521; Willet Construction office: 402-434-8008; Email: rick@willetconstruction.com; Websites: www.sutterplaceinteriors.com | www.willetconstruction.com.