Local Entrepreneur Makes It Her Business to Help Others

After helping family and friends for 20 years, Christa Williams turned her knack for shopping and event planning into a full-time business.

With the encouragement of her husband, Paul, Williams launched Christa Shops for You in January 2005.

Although Williams’ initial business plan was to provide a grocery shopping service, it quickly expanded when clients requested house sitting, catering and other services.

“As a business owner, you need to be able to adapt,” Williams said.

“One of my first clients asked me to shop for a bed pillow,” Williams recalled. “She told me the exact brand and type of pillow to buy. When I brought it to her, she pressed on it and didn’t like the way it felt.”

Wanting to help her client find just the right one, Williams asked her to describe what she was looking for in a pillow. Armed with that information, Williams went shopping and returned with the trunk and backseat of her Grand Prix filled with pillows. The client tried them out and made a selection. Williams returned the rest.

Williams was raised in a business-minded family. She grew up in Livonia, where her father, Bob Johnson, is the president and founder of Johnson Building Company.

“Christa always helped out with planning and structuring events,” Johnson said. “She did our family reunion and graduation parties.”

After earning a degree in business administration at Central Michigan University, Williams worked for American Community Mutual Insurance Company. While there, she joined the employee committee and served as its president for two years. Utilizing her skills, Williams coordinated picnics, holiday parties and other events for the company’s 200 employees.

Now that Williams is self-employed, the structure of her work week is much different from when she worked for a company.

“I may have a schedule set up for the week, but it changes,” Williams said.

Williams receives unusual requests. One client asked her to research an antique boat. Another called from Mexico asking her to chase something down and ship it to them.

Boni Trush, a business coach, has relied on Williams to shop for clothing, prepare party appetizers and find materials to make special gift towels for her children.

“Christa will do as little or as much as you need,” Trush said. “She’s sophisticated in a personable way.”

CPA Beth Yarmak has worked with Williams on various projects and hired her to organize a networking event at her Hartland office.

“Christa did the catering and set everything up,” Yarmak said. “She never goes over my price range; in fact, her services usually cost less than what I budgeted.”

Tearza Martin has been Williams’ client for a couple of years. Martin, who works in the graphic design and marketing profession, has come to rely on Williams’ keen eye at events.

“Christa is wonderful,” Martin said. “She sets up our tables at trade shows and expos and makes them aesthetically pleasing to people walking by.”

With Christa Shops for You, no two days are ever the same.

“My goal is to help people,” Williams said. “I learn from my clients all the time.”