Keeping the Tradition

Jeff Boshell grew up helping with the family business, and after 45 years of success, Boshell Homes continues to serve the community.

Words by Anna Vaughn | Images by Al Blanton

It is one thing to build tradition, it is yet another to preserve it.

Jeff Boshell was just a child when his father, Carroll, started Boshell Homes in 1977.

“I was born a couple of years before Dad started the business, so I pretty much grew up in and around it,” Jeff recalls.

As a kid, Jeff would tag along with his dad, joining him on the road or helping him around the office. There was always work to be done, and Jeff was happy to do it.

Jeff also participated in sports and had the opportunity to work with great mentors from the area— people like Beth Stukes, Ann Trotter, Pat Upton, Travis Hudson, and Glen Clem.

“Back then, I didn’t realize it, but Jasper was blessed with great youth sports and coaches,” Jeff says. “They all took time to invest in me, and I’m thankful I had those opportunities.”

In high school, Jeff spent afternoons and summers helping his dad by washing cars, running errands, and doing whatever needed to be done. These odd jobs eventually made Jeff realize he wanted to carry on the family business, and after his high school graduation, he went straight to work.

“My graduation present was the Dale Carnegie course, which was a course in Birmingham that you would go to throughout the week for several weeks,” he says. “It taught me how to live and work in a business environment. I did that, and then I went to work.”

Jumping right in, Jeff branched out from the service side of the business to learn more about selling homes. Following the example of his dad and other experienced mentors in the business, he began not only selling homes, but learning to work on them. His skillset only evolved from there.

Over the years, Jeff has built and maintained relationships with everyone at Boshell Homes, as well as with the outside entities that help the business flourish. In preserving these relationships, Jeff has truly been able to contribute to the company’s success and the family-based environment.

“This is a family business, and we treat our customers and employees like family. We care about them and have their best interests in mind,” says Jeff.

To provide the best service possible, Jeff carries the mindset that selling houses is not just about making a sale; it’s about helping someone find a home – and he takes this idea seriously.

Outside of work, Jeff focuses on family and church activities. Serving weekly at Saint Mary’s Episcopal Church Food Bank, Jeff helps provide meals to families in need. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Alabama Manufactured Housing Association.

Throughout the years, the Boshell family has sustained Boshell Homes as well as a local storage business, 4th Avenue Storage in Jasper.

“You know, it's about relationships,” Jeff adds. “It's about relationships with the customers, and manufacturers, and employees. It’s about building those relationships and keeping them strong.”

By doing his part in the family business and developing strong work relationships, Jeff has helped his family preserve a legacy in the Jasper community—one that will be remembered for generations to come. 78