In recent months, several Crenshaw County residents have put their best foot forward when it comes to entrepreneurial endeavors.

Coco Momma’s, a restaurant in Highland Home owned by Ronald and Corinna Davis, reopened in October after closing in February 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic caught us all by surprise.

As the pandemic appears to recede, other businesses continue to pop up in the county.

Julia Kirby, a 20-year-old Crenshaw County native and former manager of Squadron Nutrition, purchased the store from then-owner Britt and rebranded it as The Busy Beans, a beverage shop selling energy teas, milkshakes, and many more products.

Kayla Hermeling, owner of the recently-opened Liv and Zoe Boutique, watched as her 8-year-old daughter Olivia cut the ribbon in front of her store Dec. 2 – the snip symbolizing the realization of a dream come true.

Operating a business can be a daunting task, but we commend these individuals, as well as the many other small businesses owners who are braving an economically-tough time to bring a variety of services to their communities.

As a community, we must all step up to the plate and support our businesses, especially those homegrown and locally-owned stores in town operated by our community members who’ve chosen to take a risk and invest in their hometowns.

We only get one life to make a positive impact wherever we reside, and people like Kirby, Hermeling, and the Davis family serve as examples of how taking a bold risk can benefit our county.