Entrepreneurs are moving to rural America and Plumas County, in Northern California, is riding the trend. With these entrepreneurs are those that move to retire. Families that leave opting to raise their children in a safer more spacious environment. People who want the new “Big C” – community. Not crowded, complicated or corrupt.
The creativity and ingenuity of the American spirit soars in rural America. And, especially in Plumas County in Northern California. Whether one wants to give back to community, supplement retirement, or begin a family business, the decision to create a life in a rural community is an opportunity with many rewards.
Entrepreneur Bex Pezzulo Takes Flight During Pandemic
Who launches a new business in the middle of a pandemic? Bex Pezzulo, the founder, chief of operations, formula developer (and taster), sales force and marketing guru for Sincere Cider. Bex did not allow COVID to step on her dream. She was not going to walk away from her time and investment in launching her new product. Afterall, even in a pandemic, people get thirsty!
True to the core of an entrepreneur, Bex never lost sight of her goal, did not take no for an answer and became even more creative with her marketing strategy. Today, Bex in her converted van (she did that too!) emblazoned with Sincere Cider, is a selling machine. By summer of 2022, guests at two MLB ball parks sipped her cider; shoppers at Whole Foods throughout California purchased to rave reviews. Several awards were bestowed on Sincere Cider at “best of” competitions and sampled at numerous tastings. With this momentum and “killin’ it” attitude, Bex even introduced two new flavors. Always thinking of different avenues to promote her brand, Bex was the brainchild of the Thru-Hikers pavilion at Chester’s Farmers Market for the PCT Hikers this summer! She cannot be stopped, and all of this accomplished via her “office” on the East Shore of Lake Almanor.
Forever Home – Was Not on the Horizon
Forever Home – Was Not on the Horizon for these 2 Entrepreneurs
A retail shop was not in the plans for Christa and Josh Herman when they moved to Lake Almanor with their two children. They had a sign business, and the plan was to run the
business from the back of a Main Street building they had purchased. It was only when they were speaking to a local wholesaler in Truckee, CA that the idea of a store began to gel. Since the building had retail space, why not? With no experience in retail, and a “why not,” attitude, they opened Forever Home & Outdoor, an outdoor furniture store, in 2020.
But, that was only the beginning.
One day Josh observed a posh ski boat on Lake Almanor and got another idea. Area shops already cater to fisherman, but what about recreational boating buffs like he and his family? Shortly after Almanor Wake Sports was opened carrying the latest in boat accessories, water toys, surf and ski fashion, and e-foils.
Though retail was not the plan, opening these two stores has supported several of their reasons for moving to a rural community. At the top of their list was community. Christa describes it as, “We were one among many. Here, we can make a difference in our community and see the impact.” Their two teens can be one of 23 Juniors vs. one of 600 allowing opportunities. “Being a starter on the basketball team rather than being a bench warmer will impact my son’s life forever.”
A Town Without Book Store? Not For This Entrepreneur
Susan Bryner made her permanent home in lake Almanor in 2002. Almost immediately she noticed something was missing, a bookstore. And she thought, “ What is a town without a book store?” Having wonderful childhood memories of reading and roaming the aisles of bookstores and libraries, she felt having a bookstore in her new community was a must, for herself and the children and families she had come to know.
So, she opened B&B Booksellers in 2003 in Old Town of Chester. It now resides at Stover Landing Commons and shares a space with a popular café, Cravings. The store has survived the takeover of online bookstores, limited shoppers in the winter months, COVID and the Dixie Fire.
Though maybe not the easiest route to entrepreneurship, Susan found that the store offered more than rows and rows of books. For her, it gave her new friendships, great conversations with fellow book lovers, and a feeling of pride when visitors are overjoyed and surprised to find a full-category bookstore in a small rural town. The good news? The community gained similar benefits as B&B Booksellers shares over 20 years of people flipping pages, grabbing a new book, and making a new friend.
Though many have very different ideas of what a move to a rural area means, there those in Plumas County wo embrace the unknown, conquer the fear of “what the heck did I/we do” and have realized the rewards ten-fold. Yes, entrepreneurism is alive and thriving in rural America! And, most especially in the tiny town of Chester and surrounding Lake Almanor Basin, where the community’s newest adventure is the founding and funding of The Almanor Foundation.