Family History

     When most people think of the construction business, they picture a male worker. However, the home builders of B.J.P. Southern Heritage LLC, B.J.P. Legacy Construction LLC, or B.J.P. Heritage Construction LLC in Tennessee are all sisters. Born and raised in the state of Texas, these sisters learned about the construction business from their father, Bobby Joe Phillips, whose initials begin the titles of their three companies. 
     Bobby Joe Phillips began working at his father’s lumber company in East Texas in 1971 and then built his first spec home one year later. As a builder in Texas, Bobby built apartment complexes, condominiums, light commercial buildings, and thousands of residential homes in his 34-year profession.  In 1986 he moved his family to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, where his wife Wanda became a successful real estate broker.
     Alicia Phillips Estes, Licensed Building Contractor for B.J.P. Southern Heritage LLC, had no idea that she would eventually follow in her father’s footsteps.  She graduated from Jackson State Community College as a Physical Therapy Assistant and became a licensed PTA in Tennessee.  Alicia has also had a long time passion and eye for design that she inherited from her mom and enjoys helping people make their homes beautiful and comfortable.  Before her father’s death two years ago, she briefly mentioned that she would like to get a contractor’s license like him.  “I knew nothing would make him happier or prouder that he and his work had such an impact on me,” Alicia says.  At 35, Alicia has lived in more than twenty homes.  “I can’t remember them all,” she says. 
     Alicia, who is the oldest of four girls, was the second to get her contractor’s license.  Her sister Roslyn Phillips Wear, Licensed Building Contractor for B.J.P. Legacy Construction in Cookeville, TN,  took the first step.  Oddly enough, Roslyn also graduated as a PTA prior to getting her contractor’s license.
      “I guess there is something to the whole physics thing that both of us had to learn about in PTA school. We like to watch different textiles come together and see what they produce,” Alicia says.  “Roslyn also has a good eye for design inside and outside of a home. Each sister has a talent with design and color. In the last year Roslyn has built 14 homes, no two alike.  That would take a lot of the fun out of it.”
     For Alicia, the most fun part of building a home is looking at a lot of house plans  and finding ways to make them unique inside and outside.  “When I see Roslyn’s work in construction, I see Country Living Magazine. I love it!  Roslyn likes that Cottage Look, so she tends to pick out colors that are feminine but works well for men too.”             
     Alicia’s sister Natalie Phillips Hicks, who is second to the oldest, is very familiar with low voltage wiring.  She has been the vice-president of sales and marketing for Interactive Systems in Nashville, TN for five years.  Natalie coordinates residential structured wiring (phone and cable), security systems, audio, intercoms, and central vacs.
     Together with her husband Russ, they operate B.J.P. Heritage Construction LLC, in Murfreesboro, TN.  Like her sisters, Natalie did not begin in the construction business. After high school, she went to American Airlines Flight Attendant School in Dallas, TX, then to beautician school.  She finally decided what she knew about best was the construction business.  She makes the final decisions on technology in their homes as well as colors and aesthetics.  Her favorite look for a home is simple, crisp, and lots of neutrals.  “When I think of Natalie decorating I think Pottery Barn or Pier 1 Imports.  Very  sophisticated”!  says Alicia.
     Alicia comes from a close family.  There have been many times she wished she could call her dad and ask him questions.  “My sisters and I give him and my mom all the credit as well as God for our knowledge and love for construction,” Alicia says. “It is important to build a good reputation with everyone you are involved with.  It just makes business easier when everyone gets along.  We can go to anyone or to any supplier that our dad used and know that everyone loved him, and that goes along way.   This is not an easy business.  Many obstacles can arise in the construction of a home. That is just part of it!”
     Alicia likes to try different products in her homes because that is what gives a home its individual character and creates good conversation.  “I encourage people to travel out of the box and educate themselves about what is out in the construction market.”  It does take time and research, which Alicia enjoys doing.  She is not scared to try new things and enjoys seeing what happens. She wants to emphasize that there is not much if any difference in price if people want a unique change. Alicia gets bored doing and seeing the same items in a house over and over. 
     “I hope this business spreads to one of my parents’ six grandchildren. That would move us up to four generations in the building business.  How exciting!” 

This article was written for The Jackson Sun newspaper one year ago. To find more information on any of these builders and their homes please contact Alicia at:

Email: jabgestes@trentonspeed.com - Phone: (731)-571-0303