Alumni Spotlight: Breann Williams (Pennix) (THS, '11)

Alumni Spotlight: Breann Williams (Pennix) (THS, ‘11)
Owner of Southern Pineapple Boutique & Salon in Tomball

For Tomball High School alumna Breann (Bre) Williams (Pennix) (Class of 2011), Tomball has always been home. Her family’s Cougar roots run deep — her grandmother graduated from THS in 1963, followed by her parents and many other relatives.

“Growing up in Tomball was wonderful,” she said. “With deep family roots and strong community involvement, it truly felt like everyone knew each other — which also meant you couldn’t get away with much!” 

Her love for Tomball traditions started early. By age three, she was attending Cougar football games to cheer on her aunt in the color guard. 

“I wore my first Tomball cheer shirt back then,” she said. “Even though we lived in Spring at the time and I attended Klein schools in my early years, I begged my parents to move because my dream was always to be a Tomball Cougar cheerleader.”

That dream came true. At THS, she cheered proudly on the sidelines while also competing with Texas Cheer. 

“Cheer gave me confidence and taught me leadership,” she recalls. “Those experiences gave me the courage to put myself out there, take risks, and connect with people — all things I do daily as a business owner.”

After high school, Bre earned a cheerleading scholarship to Tarleton State University, where she completed her bachelor’s degree. She then spent about seven years in the corporate world, balancing remote work and weekly travel.

But life took a turn during the COVID era. 

“Around that time, I began IVF treatments in order to start my family,” she said. “After having my daughter, I realized I wanted a career path that gave me more flexibility and purpose.”

With encouragement from her mom, she launched her dream: Southern Pineapple Boutique. What began online in late 2021 quickly grew into a storefront. By July 2022, she had expanded into Southern Pineapple Boutique & Salon, right in the heart of Tomball.

The name of her business is deeply personal. 

“The pineapple is both a southern symbol of hospitality and a personal symbol of hope for moms who struggle with infertility,” she explained. “For me, it represents both my journey through IVF and my dream to create a space that blends beauty, confidence, and community.”

Her boutique and salon now offer more than just services — they’re a gathering space. 

“Southern Pineapple offers a luxury glam experience with southern charm,” she said. “Our space is welcoming, accepting, and inclusive, while still being approachable and affordable. We’re more than just a salon and boutique — we’re a place for women to feel confident, celebrated, and at home.”

Giving back is also at the heart of her work. Through the Gowns & Glam Project, her nonprofit initiative, she provides free prom dresses and salon services to local girls in need. “It’s been incredible to watch this project empower young women who might not have been able to participate otherwise,” she said. “This year, we’re even extending it to include the Miss Tomball Pageant. We hope to keep growing it year after year.”

Even with the challenges of balancing business and family in such a connected community, she says the rewards are greater. 

“It’s special to serve the same community that shaped me,” she said. “I love seeing familiar faces walk through the door, supporting other local families, and being part of Tomball traditions. Now, I’m even able to give back by serving on the Miss Tomball committee — something I participated in myself years ago.”

Looking ahead, she hopes to expand both the business and its outreach. 

“I want Southern Pineapple to always be a place of confidence, creativity, and community,” she said.

At home, she and her husband John are raising their two children, Blakely and Emmett. 

“They are the reason I took the leap to create Southern Pineapple,” she said. “They’re at the heart of everything I do.”