In the Spotlight: Some Inspiring women entrepreneurs from Mississippi
#WomenInBusiness #MississippiEntrepreneurs #EmpowerHer #WomenLeadership #InspiringWomen
Women entrepreneurs in Mississippi or the ‘Magnolia State’ have demonstrated remarkable resilience and innovation despite facing unique challenges. According to the Mississippi Women’s Business Center, women-owned businesses in the state experience a 23% lower entrepreneurial rate compared to the national average. Many women in Mississippi work in sectors with lower median incomes, such as healthcare and education. However, this hasn’t stopped women in the state from making significant strides in the entrepreneurial landscape.
Women Entrepreneurs from Mississippi: Trailblazers of the ‘Magnolia State’
Between 2014 and 2019, the growth of women-owned businesses in Mississippi skyrocketed by 58%, highlighting the tenacity of women entrepreneurs. Organizations like the Mississippi Women’s Business Center and the Gulf Coast Women’s Business Center have been instrumental in empowering women with resources, mentorship, and funding opportunities. These centers offer crucial support, helping women overcome barriers, launch businesses, and scale them into successful enterprises.
From healthcare to agriculture, Mississippi’s women entrepreneurs are breaking new ground and creating impactful businesses that not only contribute to the local economy but also inspire future generations of women in business. Their stories of perseverance and leadership showcase the boundless potential of female entrepreneurs in the Magnolia State.
Let us look at some inspiring stories of women entrepreneurs in Mississippi.
> Patricia Wax, Owner, King Chicken Fillin’ Station
King Chicken Fillin’ Station, owned and operated by Patricia Wax is known across the South for its scrumptious fried chicken. Before purchasing the local chicken joint, King Chicken Fillin’ Station, she owned and managed seven fast-food restaurants in Mississippi.
At the beginning, she started as a team member, and it was her curiosity and willingness to try new things that saw her develop into a supervisor and then manager. Then, in 2019, she tread a new path: she purchased King Chicken Fillin’ Station. Being at the helm, she has improved the business, including expanded lunch offerings and new sides; and what’s special there is a picture of Tupelo’s Elvis murals.
> Jeri Carter, Founder, Queen’s Reward Meadery
Queen’s Reward Meadery is Mississippi’s first meadery and is famous for its glass of mead. It’s the supportive community in Tupelo that has given the Founder, Jeri Carter, the opportunity to thrive when she actually blazed a new (and delicious) trail when she created the first meadery in Mississippi. But her path wasn’t all that linear. Before establishing Queen’s Reward, she actually didn’t even know what mead was; and she discovered the honey wine while playing around with recipes at home. Acvcolades came in too – for this experiment eventually led to two awards at an international mead competition. That’s when she knew they were on to something!!
Quite openly, she attributes her success to Tupelo’s positivity and can-do attitude, and she feels Tupelo is an amazingly supportive environment for small businesses.
> Bev Crossen, Founder, Farmhouse Tupelo
Bev Crossen launched Farmhouse Tupelo with her range of specialty paints. She firmly believes in hard work, and it’s this drive that fuels her business ventures including local faves – Farmhouse Tupelo, Noon, and Indigo Cowork – a coworking space and coffee shop located in Downtown Tupelo. For her, the community outreach efforts of local residents is a source of ongoing inspiration.
> Lujan Perez and MJ Torrecampo, Creators, Chickasaw Heritage Mural
Two Tupelo artists Lujan Perez and MJ Torrecampo created a mural in Downtown Tupelo depicting Tupelo’s history. They felt it was important to showcase Tupelo’s multifaceted history before Elvis put it on the map.
The Chickasaw Heritage Mural was designed to recognize Tupelo’s Chickasaw heritage, depicting leaders Chief Piominko and Chief Tishominko. Other Tupelo highlights within the mural include Tupelo trees, white magnolia leaves, railroad tracks signifying Tupelo as an official stop on the rail line, the TVA arrow sign, and the year 1870 when the City of Tupelo was established.
> Lauren McElwain, Founder, Cooking as a First Language
You can discover the global flavours of Tupelo that inspired Lauren McElwain to launch her cooking program – Cooking as a First Language.
Lauren McElwain believes the language of food is a great unifier. It’s a strong sense of positivity and that is what drove her to launch her non-profit – Cooking as a First Language. Having witnessed how powerful food can be for bringing people together, she designed her cooking classes to help break down cultural barriers and build community. She strongly feels that we must try new things, because there is potential for new friendships and passions to grow.
One of Lauren’s favourite places to find inspiration are – Strange Brew and Crave: local coffee shops that keep the creativity flowing.
> Amanda and Jason Hayden, Co-Founders, Cafe 212
Cafe 212 was founded by the husband-and-wife duo – Amanda and Jason Hayden, who own and run the popular cafe on Main Street. Amanda Hayden is an entrepreneur in every sense of the word. Besides being the co-owner of the popular Cafe 212, she’s also a founding member of Tupelo Rocks – an initiative that brings people together through events. She is also committed to keeping her town vibrant, contributing to the Main Street Association and the Off The Wall mural project. And, Cafe 212’s walls are adorned with works by local artists.
So, Cafe 212 has made a name for itself: not only for its tasty gourmet salads and sandwiches, but for the specialty Fit for a King menu, featuring the famous “Blue Suede Grill” sandwich.
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