Female Entrepreneurs Trail

TRAIL STOP 2: QUEEN’S REWARD MEADERY

Location: 1719 McCullough Blvd

Head to McCullough Boulevard for a glass of mead at Mississippi’s first meadery.

It’s the supportive community in Tupelo that has given Jeri Carter the opportunity to thrive. Photo by: Queen’s Reward Meadery

Jeri Carter blazed a new (and delicious) trail when she created the first meadery in Mississippi, though her path wasn’t all that linear. Before establishing Queen’s Reward, she actually didn’t know what mead was. She discovered the honey wine while playing around with recipes at home. This experiment eventually led to two awards at an international mead competition. That’s when she knew they were on to something.

She attributes her success to Tupelo’s positivity and can-do attitude. “Tupelo is an amazingly supportive environment for small businesses. This encouragement is contagious, and when you get to participate in encouraging others, the positivity grows,” she says.

Positive Takeaway: Think outside the box and embrace your creativity.

TRAIL STOP 3: FARMHOUSE TUPELO

Location: 530 Main Street

Stroll down Main Street to see the house that Bev built.

Bev at Farmhouse Tupelo with her range of specialty paints. Photo by: Allie Randle, Tupelo CVB

Bev Crossen believes in hard work. 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 Crossen, the community outreach efforts of local residents is a source of ongoing inspiration. “I love the stories of our customers and knowing them by name when shopping at Farmhouse, eating at Noon Cafe, or working at Indigo. Our community is full of amazing people that work together for a better place to live!”

Positive Takeaway: Amazing things happen when people come together as a community.

TRAIL STOP 4: CHICKASAW HERITAGE MURAL

Location: 216 West Main Street

While you’re on Main Street, head to the corner of West Main and Broadway to see our Chickasaw Heritage Mural.

Tupelo artists Lujan Perez and MJ Torrecampo created a mural in Downtown Tupelo depicting Tupelo’s history. Photo by: Thomas Wells, The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal via AP.

For Tupelo artists Lujan Perez and MJ Torrecampo, they felt it was important to showcase Tupelo’s multifaceted history before Elvis put it on the map. So, how do you share that with the world? With a mural, of course! 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.

Positive Takeaway: In order to move forward, we first need to remember where we’ve been.

TRAIL STOP 5: COOKING AS A FIRST LANGUAGE

Location: Take your pick from our local restaurants

Discover the global flavors of Tupelo that inspired Lauren McElwain to launch her cooking program.

Lauren McElwain believes the language of food is a great unifier. Photo by: @cookingasafirstlanguage (via Instagram)

For Lauren McElwain, a strong sense of positivity is what drove her to launch her non-profit, Cooking as a First Language. “I’ve seen how powerful food can be for bringing people together,” she says. Her cooking classes are designed to help break down cultural barriers and build community. “We should all try new things because there is potential for new friendships and passions to grow. And even if you try something and it’s maybe not your favorite thing, it always makes for a great story later and a way to relate to others in conversations.”

One of Lauren’s favorite places to find inspiration are Strange Brew and Crave: local coffee shops that keep the creativity flowing.

Positive Takeaway: Great things come from being a good neighbor.

TRAIL STOP 6: CAFE 212

Location: 212 Main Street

Next, make your way to Cafe 212 to meet Amanda Hayden (and grab a sandwich while you’re at it)!

Husband and wife duo Amanda and Jason Hayden own and run the popular Cafe 212 on Main Street. Photo by: Amanda Hayden (via Instagram)

Amanda Hayden is an entrepreneur in every sense of the word. Not only is she the co-owner of the popular Cafe 212 on Main Street, she’s also a founding member of Tupelo Rocks, an initiative that brings people together through events. She’s committed to keeping her town vibrant, contributing to the Main Street Association and the Off The Wall mural project. Oh, did we mention that she champions local artists? Cafe 212’s walls are adorned with works by local artists.

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.

Positive Takeaway: Part of being a leader is lifting up those around us.

TRAIL STOP 7: CARON GALLERY

Location: 126 Main Street

Find art and inspiration at The Caron Gallery.

Follow in the footsteps of our inspiring female entrepreneurs and see why Tupelo is where tomorrows are made. Photo by: Caron Gallery

For Kim Caron, Tupelo’s positive attitude is integral to her ongoing success as a business owner. “The Tupelo community is so supportive, and has continued to support us,” she says.

After putting her career on hold while raising two children and supporting her husband’s career, Caron decided it was time to fulfill her dream of opening a gallery. In April 2010, Caron Gallery launched online and the storefront opened in August of that same year. Eleven years later, Caron Gallery is a thriving gallery that represents approximately 40 artists across Mississippi including an impressive list of female artists. Inside the gallery, Caron is joined by Cindy Martin, who assists customers with their art selection and Amy Blackmon who builds the custom frames.

Positive Takeaway: It’s fulfilling to take a risk and follow your passions.

TRAIL STOP 8: R & B SPECIALTY PRINTING

Location: 398 E Main Street

R & B Specialty Printing is a hallmark of Downtown, run by Shirley Hendrix.

Shirley Hendrix spreads positivity to her customers every day. Photo by: Instagram @r_b_specialty_printing

As everyone in Tupelo knows, if you need something printed, best make your way to R & B Specialty Printing.

She started R & B back in 2005, while working for a printing production company. As she learned more about the biz, she began creating specialty mousepads for her colleagues, eventually adding other products like photo puzzles to her repertoire. She realized she was onto something when her Tupelo Flea Market stall was flocked with excited customers. Today, her Main Street shop is a hallmark of downtown, so too is her reputation for solving any and every printing problem you could throw at her.

Positive Takeaway: Sometimes you have to take a risk, even when it’s brand new territory.

TRAIL STOP 9: SWEET TEA AND BISCUITS CAFE

Location: 2025 McCullough Blvd

Every dish at Sweet Tea and Biscuits Cafe is made by sisters Beverly and Joan Blaylock.

Every dish served at Sweet Tea and Biscuits is made by cafe owner Beverly Blaylock or her sister Joan. Photo by: NEMS Daily Journal

Whenever you order from Sweet Tea and Biscuits Cafe, you’re guaranteed a home-cooked meal. That’s because all the dishes served up at this town favorite are made with love by cafe owner Beverly Blaylock and her sister Joan. Every dish is made from scratch; their recipes passed down from their mom. Making the leap from her job in the furniture industry, Beverly followed her dreams and launched the cafe back in 2011, inspired to create a space that felt like home for Tupelo’s locals and visitors.

Positive Takeaway: Whatever you do, don’t skip dessert!

Preparing to explore Tupelo soon? Bookmark our Female Entrepreneurs Trail and check out our other transformational trails.