Ever since Selma resident Nick Horne III was in elementary school, he has known exactly who he wanted to be — his father.

After four years of supporting the family business, Big Easy Jewelry & Pawn, as an employee, Horne decided in 2004 that he would manage the shop as part of his mission to shadow his father’s great accomplishments. Using several of his father’s business tips in mind, Horne has kept the Big Easy Jewelry & Pawn successful.

“It’s a lot of work involved with lot more on the back end that people don’t realize, but I thoroughly enjoy what I do,” Horne said. “I have grown up in here, and you grow up really quick in a pawn shop.”

Horne said his father taught him to how to speak with customers in a proper, honest manner that will keep them coming back.

“Dad taught me just about everything I know about how to deal with people,” Horne said. “I’m the type of person that would much rather tell a person to not buy something than to push it on them. You don’t stay in business as long as we’ve been in business without doing things right.”

The heavy workload Horne carries overseeing the pawn shop has not stopped him from giving back to

his community.

Horne is the Selma Cotillion Club president, Quarterback Club board member and former captain, Elkdale Baptist Church member and Morgan Academy football radio announcer.

Horne said he commits his valuable time to multiple local organizations, because they are vital to the area, and he thoroughly enjoys socializing with new people.

“They hold people here. They give people something to do,” Horne said. “We’ve got to keep these things going, and they’re fun.”

Horne said he does not let the negative comments people make about Selma sadden him, because he knows residents are capable of bettering the community.

“Selma is home. It has its ups. It has its downs,” Horne said. “In my opinion, Selma’s ups outweigh its downs.”

Although Horne said his responsibilities could be stressful, he is confident his faith will keep him going.

“If you ask me how I balance it all, I will honestly tell you that I have no idea,” Horne said. “You just somehow have to make it all work, and you do a lot of talking to God and ask for his strength to keep going.”

— Sarah Robinson