Rural entrepreneurs, resilient communities, sustainable prosperity
THESE ARE THEIR STORIES
A Chair of His Own
East Texas Barber Opens His Own Shop in Lufkin with Small Business Lending Edwin “Yogi” Cruz has cut hair since he was 19. For the first time since 2020, he’s doing it in a shop he owns. Yogi’s Haircuts opened this summer on Denman Avenue in Lufkin, Texas, six years after Cruz sold the barbershop he built in Beaumont and started over. A client’s business card and a connection to Communities…
Farm to School Movement
Blackberry Pond Farm in Martin, Tennessee, a small town in the northwest corner of the state, exemplifies how local agriculture can foster stronger connections between communities and the food they consume. Sue and James…
Mulberry, AR
Nestled in the foothills of the Boston Mountains along the Arkansas River, Mulberry, Arkansas, sits in Crawford County in the western part of the state. This small town of 1,590 people, located near Fort Smith and the…
Mapping Resilience
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) requires utility systems to maintain detailed maps documenting every aspect of their infrastructure, from water meters and valves to hydrants and pipe types.…
Water Guardian
Darren Fields exemplifies the dedication and resilience that define the role of a water operator. As the Water Superintendent for the City of Mulberry in Arkansas, Darren’s journey into this field was anything but…
Pet Perfection
Stephanie DuBose’s journey from working as a kennel technician to becoming the owner of Wags to Riches Grooming in Vidor, Texas, showcases her love for animals and her determination to succeed. With two years of grooming…
Community-Driven Change
Luke Johnson, a local family physician and city council member in Alto, Texas, is passionately involved in several initiatives aimed at revitalizing the town. Alto, a small town in Cherokee County in the Piney Woods region…
Septic Relief
For four long years, Misty Hall lived in a state of constant anxiety. Her home in Jefferson County, Arkansas, was plagued by a failing septic system that had become a relentless source of stress. The system was not only…
Broadband Barrier
For rural communities, the lack of high-speed internet isn’t just a tech gap — it’s a roadblock to vital services, jobs, and healthcare. This digital divide keeps opportunities out of reach. Dr. Mary Williams, owner of…
Culinary Pivot
Chef Tonnette Khabir, the owner of Bobsaith LLC since 2006, has been a prominent figure in Dallas’ catering and food service management scene since 1993, earning a reputation for excellence. However, by early 2009, her…
Storytelling Success
DeSisso Publishing, founded by sisters Tristan Towns and Lacey Howard, is a Memphis, Tennessee-based business born from a passion for storytelling and a desire to empower children. “We started off just wanting to write a…
Clean Sweep
Walter Adams, the owner of Regal Cleaning in Amarillo, Texas, has always possessed an entrepreneurial spirit. His journey into the business world took a decisive turn in August 2021 when he launched Regal Cleaning, a…
Farm to School Movement
In rural Tennessee, a quiet revolution is transforming school cafeterias. The Farm to School movement is gaining momentum, led by local champions — child nutrition directors and farmers — who are reshaping how students…
Farm to School Movement
Blackberry Pond Farm in Martin, Tennessee, a small town in the northwest corner of the state, exemplifies how local agriculture can foster stronger connections between communities and the food they consume. Sue and James…
Mulberry, AR
Nestled in the foothills of the Boston Mountains along the Arkansas River, Mulberry, Arkansas, sits in Crawford County in the western part of the state. This small town of 1,590 people, located near Fort Smith and the…
Mapping Resilience
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) requires utility systems to maintain detailed maps documenting every aspect of their infrastructure, from water meters and valves to hydrants and pipe types.…
Water Guardian
Darren Fields exemplifies the dedication and resilience that define the role of a water operator. As the Water Superintendent for the City of Mulberry in Arkansas, Darren’s journey into this field was anything but…
Pet Perfection
Stephanie DuBose’s journey from working as a kennel technician to becoming the owner of Wags to Riches Grooming in Vidor, Texas, showcases her love for animals and her determination to succeed. With two years of grooming…
Community-Driven Change
Luke Johnson, a local family physician and city council member in Alto, Texas, is passionately involved in several initiatives aimed at revitalizing the town. Alto, a small town in Cherokee County in the Piney Woods region…
Septic Relief
For four long years, Misty Hall lived in a state of constant anxiety. Her home in Jefferson County, Arkansas, was plagued by a failing septic system that had become a relentless source of stress. The system was not only…
Broadband Barrier
For rural communities, the lack of high-speed internet isn’t just a tech gap — it’s a roadblock to vital services, jobs, and healthcare. This digital divide keeps opportunities out of reach. Dr. Mary Williams, owner of…
Culinary Pivot
Chef Tonnette Khabir, the owner of Bobsaith LLC since 2006, has been a prominent figure in Dallas’ catering and food service management scene since 1993, earning a reputation for excellence. However, by early 2009, her…
Storytelling Success
DeSisso Publishing, founded by sisters Tristan Towns and Lacey Howard, is a Memphis, Tennessee-based business born from a passion for storytelling and a desire to empower children. “We started off just wanting to write a…















