Business Journal 20171001 by Journal Inc

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FEATURE: NEWMS seeks positive change and empowerment

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FEATURE: Trove celebrating fourth anniversary this month

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ERAR: Sicilian roots, Middle Eastern Flair, pg. 5

Women in Business

OCTOBER 2017

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THE NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI

OCTOBER 2017

NEWMS seeks positive change and empowerment

RUBYE DEL HARDEN

n 2004, the CREATE Foundation conducted a study that revealed that women in Mississippi, compared to other states, ranked at the bottom of almost every major indicator – health, finance, education and corporate leadership. CREATE President Mike Clayborne promptly charged a group of seven women to work on determining strategies to help improve the situations of North Mississippi women. The group met for a year to look for ways to assist women and discovered that, because the need was so

great and so varied, whatever program was created would have to be diverse, deliberate and detailed. After the year of study, under the umbrella of CREATE, NEWMS – New Expectations for Women in Mississippi – was formed. The name chosen was very intentional. The women who gathered to study women’s problems realized that most women did what they did because that was what they knew and what was expected of them. And that if the situation of women was to change, women would have to have higher expectations of and for themselves. We get what we expect. When people don’t expect much of us, we usually meet their expectations. When people do expect much of us, we usually meet their expectations. As Henry Ford

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said, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right.” Expectations are set in many different ways: from parents, peers, teachers, communities and cultures. The group believed positive change and empowerment would be best served by creating ways for women to help other women see possibilities that they had not previously imagined. The NEWMS founders realized they couldn’t be all things to all people, so they focused on areas where other organizations did not. The initial signature leadership program of NEWMS was Success Skills. If women were to be more successful they needed to be equipped with new skills. The program emphasized that we shouldn’t define success for each other, but

that we should equip each participant with the skills they needed to help themselves be more successful in whatever field they chose. Another program established early on was Women of Distinction whereby women who had been highly successful were recognized, honored and positioned as role models to demonstrate the high levels of success possible for Mississippi women. Fairy Godmothers was established to help women in distress. It was recognized that sometimes, even when one is trying desperately to better herself, a situation can occur where she needs a hand up. One request granted was helping a single Mother get two tires fixed when her car situation would have prevented her being able to keep her job. The

financial gift is always paid for the service and not to the person. The Fairy Godmothers sponsor a Chocolate Festival the weekend before Valentine’s Day to raise money for this fund. Plus, individual NEWMS members can increase their membership dues to become Fairy Godmothers and thus support the program financially. Another powerful program is the Business Network where people have the opportunity to get together, exchange ideas and support and encourage one another in their quests for success. This year, for the first time, NEWMS held a Lip Sync Battle as a fun fundraiser to help pay for administrative support and also to increase the funds in the endowment fund. NEWMS also sponsors an annual conference

designed to encourage, empower and inspire Mississippi women. One misperception of NEWMS is that only women are members. Not so: Membership is open to any and all who are interested in encouraging, supporting and uplifting women. NEWMS members often say, “If you have a daughter, wife or mother, you are a great candidate for NEWMS membership.” It is important to not just know but to understand that when we raise the standing of women in our communities, it not only helps the women themselves, but it helps us all.

RUBYE DEL HARDEN is a founding member of NEWMS and is currently serving as chairman. She can be reached at rubyedel@gmail.com.

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BUSINESS JOURNAL

Compton both a music aficionado and purveyor BY W. DEREK RUSSELL BUSINESS JOURNAL

ALTILLO – Entertaining was always in Michaela Compton’s blood, making it an easy choice for her profession. Growing up in Las Vegas, music was everywhere she looked, and it stuck with her from a younger days. “I lived there for 30 years and was surrounded by it,” Compton said. “All genres in the world of entertainment were present. I was drawn to it.” With piano and vocal lessons from a young age, Compton felt the need for more as she watched her friends prepare for gigs. “I thought, “Where do I sign up?’” she said. “I started singing professionally in downtown Las Vegas when I was 17.” Influenced by artists ranging from Led Zeppelin, Prince, Pink Floyd and Janis Joplin, Compton would spend her time in front of her record player, spinning vinyl for hours while attempting to expand her vocal range and sing with energy. Fast-forward to today and Compton now resides in Saltillo with a home studio where she records “Local Licks,” a weekly radio show on z98.5 FM that features interviews with other songwriters like herself. “Three years ago is when I started it on Unity TV,” she said. “It was called ‘Devotion Song Cafe.’ It got too big and there were so many genres that were non-Christian (music) that I couldn’t put on the show. I was introduced to the manager at Mississippi Radio Group and presented the concept to them. I didn’t care when it aired or on what station, I just wanted to keep the show alive for local songwriters and to be able to interview all genres of music. They loved the idea so they gave me an hour time slot. I came out of that meeting with a far better situation than I had ever hoped for.” Now, the radio show is approaching its two year anniversary on the station, and Compton is expanding it further

with “Local Licks Live” at the Blue Canoe in December. “My original intent was to meet other songwriters and I’m still doing that,” she said. “It feeds my own interests and it feeds my own desire to learn more about songwriting and to be a better songwriter myself. I’m very blessed to have that home studio because I’m able to interview in a very intimate environment. It’s set up with red couches and a stone fireplace and the songwriters can relax and get acclimated to the room so we can have a chilled out conversation.” When she’s not busy with her work interviewing other entertainers or setting up songwriting nights for performers, she is, at heart, a musician herself – and that’s how she likes to spend her free time. She’s continued to perform both rock and comptemporary-Christian music in the U.S. and overseas, including the Philippines. “Some of my favorite Christian music influences are Jesus Culture, Third Day, Needtobreathe, Bethel, Red, Skillet and Johnny Lang,” she said. “Several of these artists cross over Christian and secular boundaries, which I’m a big fan of.” Compton is quite the crossover herself, having opened for acts like Carman as well as performing in the band Gethsemane. She now performs in Of Warriors and Poets. But her real love is local musicians. “The word ‘local’ is deceiving, really,” she said. “When we say local it really just means an independent songwriter or musician, not someone that is signed with a huge mainstream contract. A local musician is better defined as an independent artist that puts their music out there on their own time and money in an effort to produce their songs and tour. It doesn’t really matter what your address is.” You can hear Compton interview “local” songwriters each Sunday on z98.5 FM at 2 p.m. derek.russell@journalinc.com Twitter: @wderekrussell

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Michaela Compton records “Local Licks,” a weekly radio show on Z98.5 FM from her home stuido.

To All The Women Who Contribute To The Success Of Our Business!

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BUSINESS JOURNAL

OCTOBER 2017

Curry puts early childhood education degree to work

“I’m a big kid,” Curry said. “I get on the floor and crawl around with them.” UPELO – Angenett Curry Interacting with kids is part knows firsthand the kind of the fun, but Curry’s also of work and worry parfocused on parents’ needs. enting requires. “I go in and I talk to parents “I don’t have any babies and I ask questions to see what now, but I’m kind of seasoned they need assistance with. in this field,” the 44-year-old Once you start asking quesmother of five said. “I’ve had tions, they feel comfortable times when I needed assiswith you,” she said. “It might tance, when I needed a place take a while before they say, like this.” ‘Why I’m really here is…,’ and She was referring to the Early they might not know what Childhood Academy in Room they need. That’s what we help 126 of Itawamba Communithem find out.” ty College’s Student Services The academy loans out toys, Building in Tupelo. games, activities, DVDs and The academy serves parbooks designed to help chilents and daycare workers in a dren develop age-appropriate five-county region. The goal skills. is to help prepare Mississippi “They get to check out items children for kindergarten. just like at a library,” Curry “We have resources they can said. “They have 10 working use with their kids,” Curry said, days to return the items.” “and if we can’t help them, we Curry’s official title is rerefer them to other agencies source and referral associate, where they can get the help and part of her job is letting they need.” parents know where children The ICC office is open to all can be tested for hearing and parents with young children vision problems, dyslexia and who live in Lee, Itawamba, developmental disorders, such Pontotoc, Monroe and Chicka- as autism. saw counties. Daycares in those “If the baby isn’t reaching same counties are eligible if the proper benchmarks, we can they receive childcare assisidentify possible problems,” tance from the Mississippi Curry said. Department of Human SerResources also are available vices. (People who live in other to daycares in the Mississippi counties may visit www.mccb. Department of Human Services edu/childhood/chdefault.aspx system, and the academy proto find an office that serves vides regular staff development them.) courses. “Since we opened in March, The academy’s lending we’ve been trying to get the library includes books on how word out,” Curry said. “We’re to develop curriculums, so daygetting more of the homescare directors and teachers can chool parents right now.” plan their students’ learning Appointments aren’t necesfrom day to day. sary, and the academy has a “We help them to be more play area, so children can enefficient, so we can get more tertain themselves while Curry children ready for kindergartalks with parents. ten,” Curry said. BY M. SCOTT MORRIS BUSINESS JOURNAL

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As a resource and referral associate at the Early Childhood Academy, Angenett Curry provides parents and daycare workers with tools to help young children develop age-appropriate skills. Most materials have to be returned so others may use them, but the academy also provides free printing and laminating services, and construction pa-

‘I prayed for a position like this. I told them it was created for me. I was a single parent, so I can help other single parents who come in. I can tell them my story and help direct them.’ Angenett Curry,

resource and referral associate at the Early Childhood Academy

per is usually available. “To use our resources, they can come in any time we’re open,” Curry said. The ICC office is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and professional development sessions are available in the evenings and on Saturdays. Curry started working at ICC in the financial aid department, and she decided to go back to school to get her associate’s degree in early childhood development from ICC. The job at the academy came available just in time for Curry to use her new skills. “I prayed for a position like this. I told them it was created for me,” she said. “I was a single parent, so I can help other single parents who come in. I can tell them my story and help direct them.” Her training also comes in handy at home. Her kids are grown, but they sometimes

have questions about their kids. Curry has the wisdom of practical experience combined with her education. “If they say, ‘Should she be picking up things by this age?’ I can say, ‘Yes,’ ‘No’ or ‘Not necessarily,’” she said. “I’m kind of like a guide.” Curry plans to get her bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. She’s applying to the school’s online program, so she can keep working at the academy and her clients can benefit from whatever she learns during her studies. “I’ve always wanted to be a beacon, so somebody could see my light and it would guide them,” Curry said. “With this position, it’s a start. I can meet with people and I can help them.” scott.morris@journalinc.com Twitter: @mscottmorris

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BUSINESS JOURNAL

BY DENNIS SEID

Erar has Sicilian roots, Middle Eastern flair

BUSINESS JOURNAL

UPELO – Ruth Erar admits she has a biting sense of humor, but it seems customers have learned to appreciate it over the years. “A kid came in the other day and didn’t know a song that was playing by Bob Dylan,” she said. “I told him he wasn’t raised right and to get out. He started to leave, and I told him I was kidding. But now he had to sit there and listen to it and like it.” Remember the Soup Nazi from Seinfeld? She’s been jokingly called that – all in good fun, of course. “My regulars will tell you I can give it right back to them; I have my own little thing going,” she said with a laugh. “I want people to have a good time, I ask a lot of questions. I make fun of myself. And I’ll make fun of you.” For example, asking for mayo on a gyro is a no-no. And ketchup? She doesn’t have any in the restaurant. Her banter with customers at Amsterdam Deli on McCullough Boulevard is as endearing as the homemade hummus with warm pita bread served there. Of Sicilian descent and growing up in Cleveland, Ohio, Erar moved to Northeast Mississippi with her husband, Monther, in 2001. Monther owns a wholesale distribution business in Tupelo, as well as a handful of convenience stories in the area. They opened Stroffolino’s Wine & Spirits in April 2014, but didn’t originally intend to open Amsterdam Deli seven months later. It just sort of happened. “We intended to open a tobacco and beer store next door to Stroffolino’s,” she said. “One night, my husband and I were

Ruth Erar, originally planned to open a tobacco and beer store. talking, and we had this extra pizza machine. I can make pizzas, I said. There was really no food being offered nearby except for the Sonic across the street.” Monther remembered that they also owned a gyro machine. “Two bottles of wine later, the tobacco was forgotten, and I started to work on a menu,” Ruth said. The building on McCullough Boulevard already had “Tobacco & Beer” on the facade, and the Erars had to change the sign. Monther actually had longheld dreams to open a restaurant on a larger scale. And he can cook quite well. He was featured as a “Cook of the Week” by the Daily Journal in 2011, which allowed him to show off some of his traditional Middle Eastern dishes. “He always wanted a bar as well, so now we have sort of the best of both worlds,” Ruth said. Amsterdam Deli has a large cooler stocked with craft beers. The menu at Amsterdam has Middle Eastern dishes like gyros,

hummus and shawarma, but pizza, wings and sandwiches also are offered. Ruth wasn’t sure if her eclectic menu would work out at first. “Things have gone actually better than expected,” she said. “I wasn’t sure if Tupelo was ready ... well, it’s a pretty diverse menu, but I wasn’t sure of it was ready for our goofy kind of food.” The restaurant has “The Clevelander” sandwich, made with sliced turkey on a baked sub roll toasted and topped with provolone, lettuce, tomato, onion and homemade pesto sauce. The “New York State of Mind” is corned beef and pastrami piled on toasted marble rye with provolone. The “Stroffolino Sub” is ham, salami and bologna on a baked sub roll, toasted and topped with cheddar lettuce tomatoes and onions. There’s a Chicago-style hot dog available, too. “Being from Cleveland I’m not a fan of anything Chicago, but it does really well, and I make it with gritted teeth,” Ruth said with

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a chuckle. Amsterdam also has specialty pizzas like gyro pizza and chicken shawarma pizza. “It’s a combination of the Middle East, New York, Cleveland Chicago... we try to put a lot of what we love to eat on the menu,” Ruth said. “Most of the recipes involve recipes we cook at home.”

THEIR OWN BOSSES

The Erars moved to Tupelo because they wanted to own their own business and to have their own land. The Erars were passin assing through Tupelo on their way to visit New Orleans, Monther’s cousin happened to be selling a store. He bought it, and after returning to Cleveland, where they had recently bought a home, the Erars moved to Tupelo. “Monther never even lived in the house,” Ruth said with a laugh. “We had just closed on it, and he moved right away to

Tupelo. I had just moved into the house, and then I had to move back out.” Ruth admits there was a bit of a culture shock moving from Cleveland to Northeast Mississippi. “I thought he had lost his mind at first,” she said. “I drove down by myself from Cleveland, I had just had my wisdom teeth taken out, and I pull into the parking lot and people were coming to the store in cars, trucks, horses, ATVs... everybody was so nice, and I thought, ‘yes I can make it here.’” What was going to be a twoyear stay has turned into 16 years. “This was going to be our next step to something bigger,” Ruth said. “But our children were born here – our daughter is at Tupelo High and our so is at the middle school. It’s home now.” Ruth runs Amsterdam Deli as well as Stroffolino’s, but said she is now devoting more time to the Amsterdam to help grow the business. And she’s learned much about running a business over the years. “I have degree in criminal justice, and that really didn’t help me a lot” she said. “But I also learned a lot from Monther, and I’m a good multi-tasker. And we back each other up when we need to. And people here are really patient and understanding. If I’m late, people understand. I might have been dropping a kid off somewhere. People can relate ... the customers are really nice and really loyal.” As for the “Amsterdam” name, it just sort of happened, too. “My son said you can find anything in Amsterdam. It was going to be a tobacco and beer store and now it’s a deli. So the name stuck,” Ruth said. dennis.seid@journalinc.com Twitter: @dennisseid

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BUSINESS JOURNAL

OCTOBER 2017

Mart builds career in construction

OCTOBER 2017

went bankrupt. But the second general contractor brought Mart back and gave her more or the past 30 years, Leslie to do. Mart has built a challeng“He saw my education and ing, rewarding career in abilities, and he started handconstruction. ing off responsibilities,” Mart “What I do in construction said. makes a difference in people’s When that job ended, she lives,” Mart said. “I love what I stepped connected with a gendo.” eral contractor with projects As a senior project manager across the region. She started and estimator for McCarty King as an estimator and moved up Construction in Tupelo, Mart as project engineer and safety pulls from both sides of her coordinator. When she was brain. She uses her analytical assigned to a large, long term and accounting skill sets to project in Killeen, Texas, she develop timelines and budgets. and Jacob moved to the job. She uses her creative tools to “As the jobs moved, we handle interior design and moved,” she said. address clients’ needs. Construction is non-tradiADAM ROBISON | BUY AT PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM “I take a project from conSenior project manager and estimator Leslie Mart has worked with McCarty King Construction tional field for women. Early for nearly 25 years. ception to turn key,” as part of on, there were some bumpy a team, Mart said. moments, like when she had to She has worked with McCarty about improving the lives of wheelchair to roll around and Junior College had a program send a crew member home for King for nearly 25 years and the people who use them,” Mart see what they elders would see, to help displaced homemakers direct insubordination. diversity of projects in health said. what they would touch,” Mart and single parents upgrade “Once I proved my abilities care, commercial and high end On a recent residential projsaid. their skills and enter the workand my competence, I was residential construction has ect, Mart had to put her probOne of her all-time favorforce. more accepted,” Mart said. kept her on her toes. lem-solving skills to use to find ite projects was the colorful She started in business adEventually, her journey “Every project is different,” more storage space. The client HealthWorks! children’s health ministration, but realized she brought her back to Tupelo and Mart said. she was working with frequent- education center in Tupelo. needed something with a little Northeast Mississippi when she Construction requires team ly hosts parties and has several “We took a dilapidated more creativity, so she picked joined what is now McCarty work and flexibility to address extra tables and chairs that building and revitalized it,” up drafting and design. King Construction in 1993. the challenges that come with needed a home of their own. A Mart said. “We created a really “I ended up with a double the territory, Mart said. few small changes to the plans unique facility that is helping major in civil engineering and “I rely on the expertise of created a special closet so the so many people.” drafting and design with minor FUTURE FOCUS field personnel and the supertables and chairs can be tucked in business administration,” Construction is a great field intendent, but I’m not opposed out of the way, but are still easy BUILDING A CAREER Mart said, ending up with two for young men and women to going out and lending a to get to when they are needed, Mart, who grew up in Florida, associates degrees. “It was the with lots of opportunities. hand,” Mart said. “I’m not Mart said. acquired an appreciation for perfect fit combining the ana“It’s a fabulous way to incorafraid to get my hands dirty.” “You can find the little gifts,” power tools and construction lytical, accounting background porate your creative side and The goal is to bring the best Mart said. basics from her family. Her with the creative side.” your analytical side,” Mart said. value for the clients to have Sometimes Mart has needed father was in construction, While she was still in school, In addition to people like their vision come to fruition, to get creative to understand and her stepfather’s family she got her first job as the site Mart, who manage the conMart said. In addition to the her clients’ perspective. When owned ceiling fan stores. But secretary for a water treatment struction process, there’s a technical aspects of the job, McCarty was designing and she didn’t plan on a career in plant project in Peppertown. great demand for trained carMart works to channel the constructing the Green Houses construction. “It was very serendipitous,” penters, electricians, plumbers clients needs and wants into a at Traceway Retirement ComMart had friends that moved Mart said. “Things came toand masons. project, often getting to know munity, which were the first of Northeast Mississippi. She folgether in the right place in the “We need good quality craftsthem well. their kind in the nation, Mart lowed them, looking for a good right time.” people,” Mart said. “Construction is not just changed her point of view. place to raise her son Jacob, The project was challenging about building buildings, it’s “I literally put myself in a now 31. At the time, Itawamba and the first general contractor michaela.morris@journalinc.com BY MICHAELA GIBSON MORRIS BUSINESS JOURNAL

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BUSINESS JOURNAL

DOSSETT BIG 4 WOMEN AT WORK

L to R: Shawn Sheffield, Business Office Manager; Marie Smith, Title Clerk; Ashley Hopson, Receptionist; Stephanie Maclin, Account Receivables; Gail Reeves, Warranty/Cashier; Carolyn Thompson, Service Advisor

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OCTOBER 2017

The Lady in Blue: Capt. Anita Mitchell BY WILLIAM MOORE BUSINESS JOURNAL

UKA– It is very unusual to find a black woman wearing a police uniform in a small department in the South – unless you are in Iuka. Not only has Anita Mitchell been wearing a badge in the Tishomingo County seat for 23 years, she has been a captain for the last 16 and is the department’s second in command during the day, reporting only to Police Chief Randy Stringer. Since joining the department in 1994 as the only female officer, she steadily worked her way up the ranks. But Mitchell is not about to rest on her laurels. Being a small department, there is always something to keep the officers busy, and that includes patrolling the town of 3,000. “I enjoy helping people and working for the public,” Mitchell said. “I still enjoy my job. I still go out on patrol every day. Since Iuka is a small town, I know most of the people and that helps out.” When she started out nearly a quarter century ago, not only was Mitchell the first black female officer at the Iuka Police Department, for quite some time, she was the only female officer in Tishomingo County. “Whenever the (Tishomingo County Sheriff’s Office) arrested a female, I had to go to the jail to search them. It was the same way with the (Mississippi Department of Transportation weigh station on U.S. Highway 72). If they stopped a female trucker at the scales, they called me. I got called out day and night, even on my days off until the county hired a female.” While police work turned

PD, she worked nights and was paired with then officer Stringer, who later moved up to assistant chief. Following the retirement of Chief Bates, Stringer won a special election in 2000 to become police chief. “We started off as partners,” Mitchell said. “We were partners on nights for five years and you couldn’t ask for a better partner.” Along the way, she also worked alongside MDOT officer John Daugherty, who was elected Tishomingo County Sheriff in 2015. “We worked together for years on weekends when I was with MDOT,” Daugherty said. “She’s a very good officer. She’s always got your back. “She’s lot of fun but can be ADAM ROBISON | BUY AT PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM Anita Mitchell joined the Iuka Police Department in 1994 and has steadily worked her way up the serious when she needs to be. ranks. She gets along with everyone. I would love to steal her (away Consolidated Aluminum plant from Iuka PD).” going to be the first female ofin Iuka. Then she fell victim to Mitchell doesn’t plan to leave ficer in Iuka. I had to meet the downsizing. the police department any time challenge.” “My grandfather was on the soon. She only has two years While she was the only board at the hospital,” Mitchell female officer, she was just before she qualifies for state said. “I had been laid off and he one of the guys in the nineretirement but the 57-year-old asked me if I had ever thought plans on sticking around. She man department. Mitchell still about law enforcement since patrolled the 10 square miles of still loves her job. the city had an opening. I had She is a positive role model Iuka on her shift. In Iuka, two never given it any thought. officers regularly patrol the city. for both women and minori“I decided to put in an appli- When there is a call, policy reties. When she goes to career cation and was hired by Chief quires both officers to respond days at school, she actively Amos Bates. I was in training for safety reasons. While some encourages females and mifor a year, then I went to the male offers would go to munnorities to consider law enpolice academy in Tupelo.” dane calls alone, that was not forcement. Capt. Anita Mitchell Going through the 10the case with Mitchell. “People often only see Afriweek academy is physically “They were more protective,” can Americans and Hispanics on the negative side of law enand mentally demanding for Mitchell said. “They wouldn’t forcement,” Mitchell said. “To someone in their 20s. Mitchell let me go out on calls alone.” into her career, it was not her balance that out, we need more was 35 when she went to the The law enforcement comfirst choice. A 1979 graduate of Northeast Mississippi Law munity is close-knit and as she minorities, and females, in law worked her way up the ladder, Iuka High School, she played enforcement. Enforcement Training Center Mitchell met, worked with and basketball for a year at North“If you like working for your and she was not about to let it became friends with a lot of east Community College before get the best of her. community and helping peogoing to work for Walmart. “The academy was extremely fellow officers, both at the Iuka ple, this can be a great job.” After years in the warehouse, hard but I never thought about PD and other agencies. When she first started at Iuka she spent five years at the william.moore@journalinc.com quitting,” Mitchell said. “I was

‘People often only see African Americans and Hispanics on the negative side of law enforcement. To balance that out, we need more minorities, and females, in law enforcement.’

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BUSINESS JOURNAL

BY LESLIE CRISS

Nelson finds fun fit in food service industry Jennifer Nelson loves working in the food service industry and finds great joy getting to know the people she serves.

BUSINESS JOURNAL

XFORD – Her pre-kindergarten ability to read may have eventually landed Jennifer Nelson in the food service industry. It also pushed her to put the quietus on a short teaching career. A member of the Tupelo High School Class of ‘99, Nelson went to Mississippi State University and left with a degree in elementary education. Her first position? Teaching 8th-grade English in Starkville. It was, she said, a rude awakening. “I had kids who could not read, who had no clue what a

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noun was,” she said. “I was so frustrated. I was young and naive and it was way too daunting for me. It was a rough year.”

She finished out her year as a teacher and moved on, ending up in Oxford where she worked in the office at Camp Hopewell

for about four years. Her first foray into the business of food was at now-gone Waltz on the Square. Instantly,

the fit was fine. She worked as a hostess most of her time at the restaurant. “I loved it,” said the 37-yearold daughter of Lynn and Bud Nelson of Tupelo. “I was not at a desk all day; I got to meet different people every day.” The job came as a pleasant surprise to Nelson, who’d imagined restaurant work would be stressful and difficult. “I’d avoided restaurant jobs in college,” she said. “I thought I didn’t have the mental ability to do it, or to multitask.” She quickly learned she was wrong. “It’s not always easy,” she said. “But it’s not rocket science.” TURN TO NELSON, 14

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BUSINESS JOURNAL

OCTOBER 2017

creative outlet to share with friends, family and of course, customers who share similar tastes. “I’ve always had a passion for antiques and interior design,” Lawrence said. “That was really the main thing. And our children are grown, so we’re empty nesters, and this is just a great business, I think.” Lawrence said business has been “great” as word has spread about Trove, which also isn’t quite the same since it first opened. “It’s evolved since we opened in 2013,” Lawrence said. “It takes a example, we have a bridal while to get things going, registry now, which we so it’s change some. For didn’t have but is very important.” Trove is designed to have something for everyone. Lawrence’s idea is to set up the home much like how others would set up their homes in terms of decorating. “I think it’s the perfect place to get a gift you’re looking for,” she said.

Rebecca Lawrence opened Trove on McCullough Boulevard in Tupelo in 2013.

Business spotlight: Trove

Gift store is celebrating its fourth anniversary this month.

of store setting,” she said. “We have lots of things to choose from.” UPELO – Rebecca The two-story home Lawrence opened covers more than 3,000 Trove four years square feet, and each ago in a century-old room has a theme. home on McCullough There’s a room for boys, a Boulevard that was the room for girls, a room for perfect setting for a gift the kitchen, a room for store. the master bedroom, etc. “We cover everything Everything in the store from home decor, baby has been hand-selected gifts, linens, pajamas, by Lawrence, who has housewares, bridal reglong had an eye for fine istry, Amy Howard chalk design and decor. paint ... I think it’s just a Educated and trained great home for that kind as a nurse, Trove was a BY DENNIS SEID BUSINESS JOURNAL

BUSINESS JOURNAL

‘I’ve always had a passion for antiques and interior design. That was really the main thing. And our children are grown, so we’re empty nesters, and this is just a great business, I think.’ Rebecca Lawrence

LAUREN WOOD | BUY AT PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM

“We have things for men, for women and we cover all the spectrums. Customers give Trove great reviews. For example, Cindi Parker-Thorton wrote on the store’s Facebook page, “Beautiful store located in a beautiful old home. Old Southern tradition gifts and unique items. Very friendly staff. You need to walk through it at least once.” And to fill her store, Lawrence looks for the unusual and unique things that customers won’t typically see. “I go to several different markets, and I love picking for antiques and unusual items that I find on my travels,” she said. “I’m always looking.” A hot-selling item currently is Hot Skwash, which produces a line of silk velvet pumpkins. “I love all the different colors and the natural element with a little gold on there,” Lawrence said.

IF YOU GO

ADDRESS: 1725 McCullough Blvd., Tupelo HOURS: Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m, Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Close Sunday and Monday PHONE: (662) 269-3197 WEBSITE: trovetupelo.com FACEBOOK: Trove Tupelo “It’s been a great seller for us.” Refillable candles that don’t burn down also are popular. Trove is Lawrence’s first business, and she said it’s been a learning experience. “We have a great team, a great staff and we all work together,” she said. “I think we’re getting it all worked out, understanding what the customer wants and providing for them.” dennis.seid@journalinc.com Twitter: @dennisseid

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BUSINESS JOURNAL

Women in Real Estate 2017

Carol Kloac

Libby Parker 662-401-7989

662-401-5729

662-401-5183

Dana Lewis

Taylor Strange

Christa Estes

Ashley Wallace

Lynn Wooldridge

Caroline Upthegrove

Janie Sanders

Sherrie Blinson

Christy Cottom

Alischa Williams

662-871-6290

662-620-2234

662-871-9215

662-266-9315

662-620-2234

662-790-3225

Receptionist

Kim Harper

662-620-2234

662-687-1455

Closing Coordinator

Pam Norris

Tammy Bartee 662-891-3625

Cindy Black

662-523-5190

662-321-0844

Lisa Bradley

Denise Timbes

662-231-5729

Lola Knight

Listing & PR Coordinator

662-665-1492

Gena Nolan

Managing Broker

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OCTOBER 2017

BUSINESS JOURNAL

Women in Real Estate 2017

OCTOBER 2017

Blair Finley

Brenda Estes

Amber Gordon 662-620-2232

662-891-1315

Beth Walker

Shirley Curry

Paula Crum

Amanda May

Whitney George

Susan GrifďŹ n

Meredith Martin

662-213-7921

662-701-7789 Old Taylor Rd., Oxford 662-234-5344

Linda Swinney 662-823-6234 662-401-1196