A few days ago, I came across a social media post that really stuck with me long after I read it. The exchange involved three businesswomen from Tupelo, Mississippi, all of whom own businesses within the food service industry that are similar.
Now, small-town businesses can be very competitive and even cutthroat at times because it’s hard to be objective when the monetary well-being of someone’s business and family is on the line. But this post proves that Mississippi hospitality is much more than a public relations buzzword, even for our state’s business owners. It is a real part of who we are as Mississippians, and to be honest, this post made me proud to know these three women and frequent their businesses.
I first saw this post on September 10, the day that Kreecher’s Creations officially opened for business on McCullough Boulevard in Tupelo, Mississippi. This new bakery and catering business is also the area’s first French-inspired patisserie, which is owned and operated by Tiffany Grice. And Grice’s delicious handmade goods are well-known throughout the city of Tupelo, Lee County, and the surrounding areas.
In fact, when Grice first started baking for the public, her products were so delicious that several local businesses, including coffee shops and bakeries, gladly brought her baked goods into their shops to sell to their customers. By doing so, these local shop owners helped get Grice on her feet financially, establish a wider fan base for her products, and encourage her to build and expand her business. It was the perfect example of American entrepreneurship at its finest.
So, when Grice opened her own bakery, Kreecher’s Creations, it was a long-awaited day for her and for the fans of her baked goods – especially her spectacular chocolate croissants.
And that was when the story began for me.
On the afternoon of September 10, I was browsing through my social media feed on Facebook, and I saw a picture of Grice’s soft opening that had taken place earlier that day (The shop’s official grand-opening and ribbon cutting took place September 23).
As I paused my online browsing, I immediately thought that I could not wait to go visit the bakery for myself. But as I read through the congratulatory comments sent to Grice, one particular post stopped me in my tracks.
Two other local businesswomen (both of whom had previously carried Grice’s baked products in their own shops) had made it a point to be there the morning of the opening of Kreecher’s Creations. I sat there in awe as I viewed the posted picture of Tiffany Franks (owner of Crave, an award-winning coffee and dessert shop) and Sarah Anderson (owner of Mae’s To-Go Cup, a much-loved coffee shop and gathering spot) showed up to celebrate with Tiffany Grice on her first day.
The picture of the three of these amazing Tupelo businesswomen read, “Happy first day, Tiffany Grice!”
Wow! Think about that for a moment: Since products from Kreecher’s Creations may no longer be available in other shops, Grice’s opening might result in fewer sales for other businesses. This new bakery might also compete for some of these women’s sales – if the truth is told.
Nothing about this day was beneficial to either of those two businesswomen, except for the fact that they were truly excited for their friend’s realization of the dream of opening her own business. A joy they had both experienced firsthand as local business owners. In essence, it was simply a great day for two friends to celebrate the success of a third friend.
Now, that is Mississippi hospitality at its finest.
This simple act of true friendship demonstrated kindness in action, and for me, it was the perfect example of what Mississippi businesswomen can and do accomplish every day.
So, just like those two Mississippi businesswomen from Crave and Mae’s To-Go Cup, I want to wish Tiffany Grice the very best possible success in the opening of her new business, Kreecher’s Creations. And I can promise her that as long as she’s making those amazing chocolate croissants, I’ll be stopping by for my share of her delicious baked goods.
