In Randy Goodwin’s world, anything is possible. In business as well as caregiving, ideas become reality and dreams really do come true.
Founder of PRI Productions, which transforms clients’ imaginations into actuality, he draws from that same resourcefulness to accommodate the needs of his mother whom he has cared for since his father died in 2013. Because of his dedication, at 92 she still lives in the home across the street from his own that he bought and renovated foreseeing his parents’ decline.
One of four children of Robert and Hilda Goodwin, Randy shares caregiving responsibilities with his brothers Robert and Garry, sister Gail Phillips, and a vast support system.
“He is the youngest and he always watched over me,” Hilda said. “He put me first ever since my husband passed away.”
“I don’t think I did anything any different than most kids who love their parents. They played a pretty good role when I started my company in helping me out with whatever,” Randy said.
“I would scrub floors and wash windows and do everything to get it all fixed up,” Hilda recalled.
“Mine was a typical middle-class family,” said Randy, who graduated from Sandalwood High School in 1981. He was into Christian music and worked for Brandon’s Camera in the same building on Kings Avenue that now houses his wildly successful event business that offers creative planning and design services across the Southeast. Longtime locals remember the spot as Skateland.
But the early years were tough for the young entrepreneur. Randy and his mom worked into the night in their garage every Tuesday rolling 5,000 Super Shoppers that he would toss in yards in Mandarin. “I made $800 that allowed me to keep going,” Randy said. “My mom would bring me lunch. Ultimately it worked.”
Randy saw the sale of Brandon’s Camera in 1994 as his chance to start his own business, despite his trepidation and lack of a plan, money or other requirements. It was also the year Jacksonville got an NFL franchise.
“My timing was pure dumb luck. Our city was on fire then,” he said. “I got connected with the NFL and started doing things for them, and here we are 31 years later I’m still helping the Jaguars in producing their games and pretty much all their events.”
Randy said the enormous amount of business PRI did when Jacksonville hosted the Super Bowl in 2005 allowed him to pursue purchasing his present building, which he had been renting by then for its huge showroom space.
Theresa O’Donnell Price, former chief of the Office of Special Events, worked closely with Randy to produce major events for the City of Jacksonville through five mayoral administrations. “We did a lot of heavy lifting and still talk often,” Randy said. “He was always professional and I soon learned he would never disappoint a client,” Theresa said. “He had a dream as a young man and worked tirelessly to make it become a reality. Even when he faced challenges, he never wavered.
His strength, I believe, can be attributed to his mother. Mama Goodwin is his biggest fan and supporter. Those two have a very special bond,” says Theresa.“Over the years, Randy has become a trusted and treasured friend. For Randy, the sky is literally the only limit he knows. How blessed we are to have such a wonderful community-minded, home grown son!”
Despite his success, Randy remains humbled by the tremendous amount of people who gave him opportunities as a new business owner, including first Jaguars owners Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver who signed the contract he pecked on an old typewriter—a far cry from his current official agreement.
A devout Jaguars fan, Hilda has attended most games since the very first. Lately, Randy wheels her to the same spot, where she chats with security guards and other staff who stop by to greet her.
“When I was no longer rolling nickels and dimes and vacations were back, I would take my parents,” he said. “I have tons of memories once the company started coming together and I am so happy for them.”
Randy takes his mother with him to many Jaguars, JAX Chamber and other community events, and he has taken her on multiple cruises and other vacations, including to North Carolina where PRI has an office mainly to manage its large Asheville holiday business.
At 92, Hilda is slower but understands what’s going on and has more good days than bad days, Randy said. Her memory remains sharp. She can walk with a walker with someone nearby. Randy had a walk-in shower installed, put railings and grab bars throughout her house, and made other renovations to keep her there as long as possible.
She uses the discreet ramp to the front porch he had built for his dad, and he even installed ramps at entrances to his own house to make i teasier for his mother. “I did everything in my power to make sure she can do the best she can,” he said.
She is never alone, though. Randy, his sister Gail and her son, T.J. Phillips, and two non-family caregivers follow a schedule to provide 24/7 care. Robert and Garry help when needed. Alecia Phillips, Gail’s daughter, oversees her grandmother’s medicine. Like family, Derek Eaton and Niko Negron on the PRI team also see and assist Hilda multiple times a week. “We all know what has to be done and we make it work,” Randy said. “I can change my schedule at a moment’s notice because of my support system.” Randy, who stays overnight every Friday, concedes that caregiving is hard, but recognizes that his resources make it easier for him than for many caregivers.
“I’m not retired but I have a luxury because I own the company,” said Randy, 62. “If I have to be at a meeting and she has to be at a doctor, we have to figure out how to make all these things come together. I am happy for the additional support I have that allows me to be able to do the things I do.”
Before Hilda had continuous care, Randy turned a room next to his office into a living room where she could sit in a recliner and watch TV and call out to him if she needed something.
Sometimes the dependability on others frustrates his mother because for years she did for everyone else, Randy said. Yet, “I don’t want you to lose that stubbornness; otherwise, you’re going to give up. I want you to fight knowing we will be there,” he tells her.
