Rural entrepreneurs, resilient communities, sustainable prosperity
THESE ARE THEIR STORIES
Beacon in the Backroads
Dr. Stephanie Mueller grew up in a small farm town in Southern Illinois, where she developed an early passion for healthy living. She earned her degree in Biological Science at Southeastern Louisiana University, where she…
Back from the Brink
When Elizabeth Yvette Jagneaux stepped into her role at the Reddell Vidrine Water District (RVWD) in Ville Platte, located in south-central Louisiana’s Evangeline Parish, the system was in chaos. Hired with just a day’s…
Leveled Up
Davis Vernon came from humble beginnings. Growing up, he didn’t have much, but when he was finally able to save enough to buy his first gaming system, a whole new world opened. Video gaming became a safe and engaging outlet…
Turning the Corner in Annona
When Marcella Dean took office as mayor of Annona — a small town in Red River County in northeast Texas — in late 2023, she stepped into a whirlwind. The town’s water system was unreliable. The sewer system had been…
Building a Community of Gamers
In the rural town of Gosnell, Arkansas — located in Mississippi County near the northeastern corner of the state, just outside Blytheville — Tachmonite Butler is on a mission to bring something different to his community: a…
Handles, Heritage, and Hope
History & HickoryIn Demopolis, a town in west-central Alabama’s Marengo County, located in the Black Belt region, lumber mills and the timber industry have long been a cornerstone of the local economy, shaping the area’s…
Becoming Royal
In Fredericksburg, Texas — a small city in the Hill Country of Gillespie County, about 80 miles west of Austin and 70 miles northwest of San Antonio — the residents of Royal Oaks Apartments have long faced serious water…
Owning the Glow-Up
In July 2023, Jasmine Wright opened Livi Facial & Beauty Spa in Conway, Arkansas. A licensed esthetician, Jasmine’s passion for skincare and empowering clients led her to leave her public-sector job and run her business…
The Engine Behind the Ministry
Nestled along the quiet shoreline of Center Hill Lake, Indian Creek Youth Camp has been a summer haven for generations of families in the town of Liberty, located in rural central Tennessee. With cabins that remain open for…
Breaking Through
When president Gwendolyn Tucker of RIX International first partnered with Communities Unlimited (CU) in early 2023, she was reeling from the loss of two major contracts — through no fault of her own. It was a tough setback,…
Reviving Linden
In the pine-covered hills of Northeast Texas, just off Highway 59, lies Linden — a small town with deep roots and a proud past. Once the beating heart of Cass County, Linden boasted thriving shops, historic architecture, and…
From Side Jobs to Seven Figures
Several years ago, Juan Cervantes was out of work, out of options, and about to become a father. Coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Amarillo, Texas, native found himself in a tough spot. “Unemployment had ended, and…
Thrive or Struggle
In today’s ever-evolving business landscape, running a small business can feel like an endless juggling act. Between managing operations, keeping customers happy, handling finances, and staying ahead of the competition, it’s…
Beacon in the Backroads
Dr. Stephanie Mueller grew up in a small farm town in Southern Illinois, where she developed an early passion for healthy living. She earned her degree in Biological Science at Southeastern Louisiana University, where she…
Back from the Brink
When Elizabeth Yvette Jagneaux stepped into her role at the Reddell Vidrine Water District (RVWD) in Ville Platte, located in south-central Louisiana’s Evangeline Parish, the system was in chaos. Hired with just a day’s…
Leveled Up
Davis Vernon came from humble beginnings. Growing up, he didn’t have much, but when he was finally able to save enough to buy his first gaming system, a whole new world opened. Video gaming became a safe and engaging outlet…
Turning the Corner in Annona
When Marcella Dean took office as mayor of Annona — a small town in Red River County in northeast Texas — in late 2023, she stepped into a whirlwind. The town’s water system was unreliable. The sewer system had been…
Building a Community of Gamers
In the rural town of Gosnell, Arkansas — located in Mississippi County near the northeastern corner of the state, just outside Blytheville — Tachmonite Butler is on a mission to bring something different to his community: a…
Handles, Heritage, and Hope
History & HickoryIn Demopolis, a town in west-central Alabama’s Marengo County, located in the Black Belt region, lumber mills and the timber industry have long been a cornerstone of the local economy, shaping the area’s…
Becoming Royal
In Fredericksburg, Texas — a small city in the Hill Country of Gillespie County, about 80 miles west of Austin and 70 miles northwest of San Antonio — the residents of Royal Oaks Apartments have long faced serious water…
Owning the Glow-Up
In July 2023, Jasmine Wright opened Livi Facial & Beauty Spa in Conway, Arkansas. A licensed esthetician, Jasmine’s passion for skincare and empowering clients led her to leave her public-sector job and run her business…
The Engine Behind the Ministry
Nestled along the quiet shoreline of Center Hill Lake, Indian Creek Youth Camp has been a summer haven for generations of families in the town of Liberty, located in rural central Tennessee. With cabins that remain open for…
Breaking Through
When president Gwendolyn Tucker of RIX International first partnered with Communities Unlimited (CU) in early 2023, she was reeling from the loss of two major contracts — through no fault of her own. It was a tough setback,…
Reviving Linden
In the pine-covered hills of Northeast Texas, just off Highway 59, lies Linden — a small town with deep roots and a proud past. Once the beating heart of Cass County, Linden boasted thriving shops, historic architecture, and…
