"Looking in the rear-view mirror there are so many things that led me down this path to open Modern Revival. I love moments like this in life where things that seemed so insignificant at the time, looking back are really the road signs leading you to your purpose."

"Growing up I always helped my mom decorate for parties and weddings. She has amazing taste and always thinks outside the box, so each event was more like a fun art project to me. When it came time for my wedding my Mom and I wanted to go all out and create an experience for our guests avoiding the traditional southern wedding decor."

"As we both came up with ideas and our overall vision we started to run into problems finding rental companies that had what we were looking for. Not that they didn't have beautiful inventory, it just wasn't what we had in mind. After much searching we ended up having to make and buy several pieces of our own. That's when we realized Mississippi had a need for "outside the box" event rentals."

"That summer was pretty much the conception of MR, I just didn't know it yet. Several years later as I became more and more unfulfilled with my 9-5 career I started praying for God to show me what to do next. After 8 months of deep prayer God gave me the courage to leave my job of 6 plus years to open the ~rental boutique~ now known as Modern Revival."

"Ever since that leap of faith He has placed several unbelievable and life changing people in my path to help MR come to be. Without people like, my small business advisor, James Bennett and Juanita Martin, the lady who randomly called me out of the blue to see if I wanted to put my Showroom in her store in Canton, Modern Revival would not be where it is today! There is no doubt in my mind God had everything to do with building the relationships I have with all of these fabulous faith driven people I have had the opportunity to meet over the past couple of years!"

"So long story short, Modern Revival was created to provide locals with more affordable, “MODERN” day event rental options. Southerner’s love any reason to host a party, especially in Mississippi where everyone’s spring and summer are booked with showers, weddings, and celebrations galore. Traditional decor is great for some people, but for people like myself who love originality and believe that every event should be a reflection of its maker, I felt our event industry could benefit from a good ole southern “REVIVAL”. What a better time than now? When everything vintage is in, retro’s alive, modern is sleek, and rustic equals true beauty!"

Thank you to Vanessa Case with Modern Revival Rentals for this Insider Inspiration!
Visit Modern Revival Rentals, http://www.modernrevivalrentals.com/

As a high school student in Jackson, MS, Grace Bateman Greene embarked on a mission trip to Peru.  Though she was just a teenager, the experience sparked a great passion for the country and its people.  As Grace reflects, “I enjoyed my time and the people in Peru so much.  I knew I wanted to return.  The missions organization I had worked with was doing great work, so when I had the opportunity to go back [during college and as a young adult] I took it!”

Little did she know upon landing in Peru, Grace began a remarkable journey that turned into a very successful business.  With only $100 and a goal of supporting Peruvian women, Grace started Peru Paper Company.  We had the pleasure of speaking with Grace about her inspiring story and incredible company:

How did you come up with the idea of Peru Paper Co.?
I kind of borrowed the idea!  I've always loved stationery and paper products, so when I saw a British friend doing handmade paper products with Peruvian women, I was intrigued!  My background is in social work and community development, so making a business to help others by producing beautiful paper products was a very fun thought for me!

You started with only $100 and grew the business from there.  That is miraculous.  Tell me how it all began! 
I had a British friend living in Peru who was doing a similar project with some women she knew.  The ladies (who were my friends at church) loved crafts, so we thought it would be fun to have them teach us how to make recycled paper and greeting cards.  We paid the ladies for the lessons in how to make paper, and bought a few craft supplies to get started!  We had no idea people would be so interested in buying them!  Once we started selling them, we wanted to reach more people and decided to make it a business.

These women produce such beautiful, creative pieces.  How do you find women to work for the company?
They are all women we've known through connections through my work in Peru.  Some women have approached us asking for work, and we've sought some out who we know could use the employment and who we think will be an asset to the company. 

How often do you go over to Peru now? 
I wish I could go more frequently!  I went about 2 years ago when I was pregnant with my daughter, but haven't made it back since she was born.  We hope to make a family trip down there soon!

How do these Peruvian women inspire you? 
They are very hard workers and very loyal friends.  Some of them have experienced very difficult things in their lives or have lived in great poverty at some point.  Despite these hardships, they have accomplished so much and are very generous and selfless.

What is your favorite thing about running this Peruvian business in Mississippi?  
It lets me be involved in international work from home.  I can be with my family and still have a connection to Peru, even though I can't live there or even visit very often at this stage in life.  

Beautiful, unique creations by Peru Paper Co. are available in many retail stores throughout Mississippi.  Click here to find a list of stores selling their products in your area!  Also, a large selection of handcrafted paper products can be purchased directly through the website, www.perupaper.com

Thank you, Grace, for sharing your story and for changing the lives of these talented Peruvian women!

All photos courtesy of Robby Followell

{Bride} Sara Ward
{Groom} Clifton Cotten
{Location} Oxford, Mississippi

{Ceremony Site} Paris-Yates Chapel on the University of Mississippi Campus

{Reception Site and Catering} Oxford University Club
{Floral Design} Zandra Walker

{Cake Design} Alana Reed Harris

{Photographer} Elle Danielle Photography
{Event Planning Services} Kendall Poole Event Planning
{Music} DJ Michael James

According to The Economic Impact of the Beer Industry, "in 2012 Mississippi's 3 brewing establishments (including breweries, brewpubs, importers, and company-owned packagers and wholesalers) employed 30 people directly, and more than 6,800 others in related jobs such as wholesaling and retailing. Altogether 3 people in Mississippi had active brewer permits in 2012."
Since the growing trend of "craft beer" and "local breweries," Mississippi breweries have grown significantly! Below, I've listed out the most common (and known) breweries today in Mississippi and highlighted a few of their beers!

{Crooked Letter Brewing Company}
Location: Ocean Springs
Established: 2012

For a complete list of beers and information on brewery tours, visit Crooked Letter Brewing Company, www.crookedletterbrewing.com/

For a complete list of beers and information on brewery tours, visit Lazy Magnolia Brewing Company, www.lazymagnolia.com/

For a complete list of beers and information on brewery tours, visit Lucky Town Brewing Company, www.luckytownbrewing.com/

Mississippi Brewing Company is considered a "brewpub" which means they not only brew their own beer, but also serve it onsite. Check out more about brewpubs, or microbrewery, here!

For more information on how you can visit this brewpub, visit Mississippi Brewing Company,
http://www.mississippibrewingcompany.com/

For a complete list of beers and information on brewery tours, visit Oxford Brewing Company,
www.oxfordmsbrewing.com/

For a complete list of beers and information on brewery tours, visit Southern Prohibition Brewing Company,
www.soprobrewing.com/

For a complete list of beers and information on brewery tours, visit Yalobusha Brewing Company,
https://twitter.com/YaloBrew

For a complete list of beers and information on brewery tours, visit Gordon Creek Brewery,
https://www.facebook.com/gordoncreek.brewery.3

It all began with a man who didn’t like coffee.  Paul Bonds had always been disappointed with the taste of brand-name coffee, but with one sip of a gourmet roast, his mindset completely changed.

With his interest brewing, Paul began researching high quality coffee beans and quickly starting roasting his own coffee.  He was amazed to find it is the #2 trading commodity in the world.  He soon began sharing his home-brewed coffee and his newly found knowledge with friends.  Paul laughs, “I could talk to friends about coffee for an hour and their eyes would start to glaze over.  It had become a passion!”

With encouragement from his family and friends, Paul began selling his specialty coffees at local farmers markets.  During his first experience in 2010, a man approached and asked, “What flavors do you have?”  Paul began explaining that he had coffee from Nicaragua, Costa Rica, etc., but the customer cut him off and said, “I just want some regular coffee.”  It was then that Paul realized it would be a great challenge to educate his customers about gourmet coffee - where the beans come from, the quality, and why it tastes so good.  As Paul notes, “Specialty coffee is a very young industry.  It is tough because it’s easier to be a settler than a pioneer.”  It was a challenge he was willing to accept.

By 2012, brewing specialty coffee became Paul’s full-time business.  Coffee is made from a fruit (commonly known as a bean).  Paul and his wife liked the sound of the name BeanFruit, and it stuck!  BeanFruit Coffee Co. buys high quality coffee from countries around the world.  Paul buys all of his coffee beans seasonally, ensuring he receives the highest quality coffees.  His products are traceable, so he knows exactly where his beans come from. 

Paul says owning a small business in Mississippi is an incredible opportunity.  “My favorite part of the job is the relationship aspect.  I am able to connect with people from all walks of life.  With a product like coffee, all people can relate.”

BeanFruit is a Fair Trade Certified company (one of only two in the state) with its operations held in Pearl on Highway 80. You can find BeanFruit’s gourmet coffee in coffee shops such as Sneaky Beans in Jackson, and the coffee shop in Pine Lake Church in Brandon.  It is also found in Jackson-area restaurants like Parlor Market, La Finestra and The Manship.  Retail stores such as Lemuria Books and Olivia’s Food Emporium also carry BeanFruit, or you can order it off of the website, www.beanfruit.com.

Paul says the true drive behind his company is relationships.  “My passion is developing meaningful relationships so that others can achieve their success.”

For more information on the BeanFruit Coffee Company, visit their website here 

{Guest Blogger} Mitchell Walters