Just outside of the Phoenix metropolitan area sits the town of Gila Bend, Arizona, where 18 attentive workers oversee the production of more than 300,000 pounds of shrimp each year. Their employer is Royal Caridea, a high-tech shrimp farming company that operates 40 shrimp ponds. The shrimp...
Read MoreClose your eyes and picture a farm. What do you see? Chances are, you’re imagining a carefully tilled series of row after row of crops, flanked by rows of soil. Such has been the unwavering image of agriculture for hundreds of years – until now.Hydroponic farming...
Read MoreSince 2015, North Avenue Capital has had the privilege of serving talented entrepreneurs and employers across rural America. From beekeepers to hoteliers, commercial real estate developers to snack food makers, the business owners who trust North Avenue with their USDA-backed funding needs represent some of the...
Read MoreWhen Gustavo Calado arrived in the United States at the age of 18, it marked an inflection point in a story with a consistent plotline. Born and raised in Brazil, Calado swam competitively throughout his childhood and teen years, swimming toward a lifelong goal of owning...
Read MoreA significant aspect of this country’s beauty is found in the opportunity to work hard and pursue your individual version of the American Dream. For years, Steve Magiera had a desire to retire, but not in the traditional sense. He wanted to break free from the...
Read MoreCountless Americans feel caught in the clutches of large corporations, but have dreams of building their own businesses. As partners Joe Forbes, Chad Hill, and Mike Baker assessed the landscape, the lack of efficiency, concerns over staff safety, and limited technical resources available in large organizations...
Read MoreNortheast Florida is expanding upon its reputation as a tourist destination, quickly becoming a desirable business hub with the addition of Saint Marks Pond. With Florida's highest-ranked schools and one of the nation's five fastest-growing residential communities, St. Johns County is attracting notable employers including Northrup...
Read MoreWith more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Harry Vaidya has worked in nearly every position that exists in the operation of a hotel. With this experience, Harry is uniquely qualified to develop a new Comfort Inn coming soon to White House, Tennessee.Construction...
Read MoreIf you’ve held an outside sales position, you know the grind that Wil Massengill faced. He had to tackle traveling extensively and spending too many nights away from home.Wil never shied away from hard work. He grew up on a farm and learned the value of contributing at...
Read MoreThe Gorazds are like many American families: they work hard to provide for their family and, on occasion, enjoy life’s finer things. For Steve and Angela, “fine” means wine!Steve put in nearly 30 years with Boeing, traveling extensively while Angela worked closer to home as a...
Read MoreTreetops Resort is one of the greatest year-round vacation destinations in the U.S. Nestled near the far-north convergence of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, the resort features natural surroundings that are second to none.In the winter, visitors enjoy the resort’s 23 scenic ski slopes. And in...
Read MoreDonnie “Ray” Crosby is a man of faith, a devoted husband, a loving father, an expert beekeeper, and, most recently, the third-generation CEO of Weeks Honey Farm, Inc. (Weeks Honey).Ray’s grandparents, Margaret and Flaval Weeks, founded Weeks Honey in 1960, initially taking a hobby and setting...
Read MoreSpeedsportz Racing ParkInternational kart racing champion, Alan Rudolph, sees much of the world in his rearview mirror. He routinely leaves his competition in a position of pursuit. With a career of accomplishments on the track, Alan has turned his attention to the pursuit of his dream...
Read MoreMatt Webb had high hopes of carrying on his family’s timber legacy. The business was started by Matt’s grandfather and had been passed down through three generations.But when the 2008 credit crisis hit, Matt’s leadership was put to the test.Greenville Timber Corporation's (GTC) long-standing relationship with...
Read MoreLead Acid Batteries (LABs) are the largest form of electricity storage in the world, representing a $22 billion market.In recent years, the LAB industry has faced significant challenges associated with a rapidly changing business and regulatory environment. In particular, lead has become more expensive to mine....
Read MoreAfter 20 years of experience in the lumber business, the time had come for Jim Langdale to step out on his own.Jim’s three-year journey began in the familiar timberlands of South Georgia, and ultimately led to a rural community in Southeastern Oklahoma. It was in this...
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