Family Works

by Angie Kay Dilmore

Families in Southwest Louisiana and surrounding areas are close knit. Their bonds share deep roots that blend love, tradition, culture, food, music . . . and often, the family business. Our community is vibrant and seasoned with companies whose origins began generations ago and continue to be family-owned and operated today. Patronage is also often passed down from parents to children and grandchildren. This year, we’re starting a new regular feature called Family Works. Each month, we’ll share the stories of one or two of these multi-generational businesses and how their success stems from living, playing, and working together.

At Flavin Realty, it’s been a family affair from the beginning. Owner Beau Flavin bought the company from his father and uncle in 2018, but the business had it’s start over four decades prior.

“My grandparents, Bill and Marilyn Flavin, started the company in 1976,” says Beau. “Bill had been working as an engineer at Olin Chemical. Facing a transfer to Buffalo, N.Y., he decided instead to start his own business. My grandfather and my dad, Dan Flavin, worked together, and Dad eventually bought the business. When Dad decided to run for State Representative, he and his brother, Tim, became partners. Three years ago, I purchased the company from them.”

Beau says his grandfather was a man of loyalty and integrity, always striving to treat others right. “In our family, it’s always been God first, then family, and business third. Those qualities were passed down from him to his sons, and now to me. When we say we’re going to do something, we do it.”

Since assuming management of the business, Beau has grown the company to better serve their clients. They’ve added a development division, a property management division, a lawn and landscape division, and a home service division. “Whether someone needs a small repair or new construction, we can manage that,” says Beau. “We’re a one-stop shop for anything real estate for our clients.”  In addition, Flavin Realty has expanded to Baton Rouge. They have over 80 agents serving the Lake Charles and Baton Rouge communities.

Growing up, Beau always imagined joining the family business one day. After graduation from LSU, he did exactly that. But a couple years later, an insurance company opportunity arose, and Beau saw it as a chance to spread his wings and gain more business experience. He still owns a State Farm office in Shreveport. When Tim and Dan were ready to step back from the day-to-day operations, they asked Beau if he’d return to keep the agency in the family. 

“So I bought the business,” Beau says. “Neither Dad nor Tim have actually retired. Tim focuses on the construction side. Dad is still in the mix every day on the real estate portion. They’ve both been wonderful mentors to me. My sister, Bonnie Flavin, is our office receptionist.”

Beau and his wife Tricia have nine children, ranging in age from 1-15. “It would be awesome one day for one of them to be part of the team. Dad taught me nothing is ever handed to you. You have to work, prove yourself, earn it, and bring new ideas that can help grow the company. Maybe one day our kids will want to be part of it, but there’s no pressure.”

Meanwhile, Beau says their clients and the community are always foremost in the business. They work to make real estate processes easier for their clients, strive to help their agents be successful, and serve the community in any way they can. “For us, it’s all about family, and when someone works with us, whether as an employee or a client, we consider them part of the family. Faith, family, future . . . Flavin. That’s the Flavin way.”