SBDC Client Named Small Business Person of the Year

04/23/2017

A client of the JSU Small Business Development Center, Jodie Ray Stanfield, has been named the 2017 Alabama Small Business Person of the Year. Stanfield is owner of Local Joe’s Trading Post in Rainbow City.

“I have worked closely with Jodie for the past five years as he has grown his business from a start-up to being recognized as the Alabama Small Business Person of the Year,” said Ken Grissom, director of the JSU Small Business Development Center, who nominated him for the award.

The letter of congratulations from SBA Administrator Linda McMahon to Stanfield says, in part, “your hard work, innovative ideas, and dedication to your employees and community have helped you build an outstanding business that has strengthened your state’s economy. The SBA is pleased to celebrate your achievements and recognize your personal role in driving our nation’s economic growth. Congratulations on a well-deserved honor.”
 
Local Joe’s Trading Post started in 2010 as a country store near Canoe Creek in Etowah County, and continues to be family-owned and operated by Jodie and Karen Stanfield and their family. The country store quickly grew into a leading catering company and restaurant and has since grown in size to employ more than 50, with locations in Southside and Alexandria, as well as Cave Springs, Ga., and the original location in Rainbow City. Each location carries many local products as well as the base menu of Local Joe’s well known six smoked meat varieties, sides and the famous Local Joe’s sweet tea.
 
Tom Todt, Alabama District Director, said, “This is a great story of small business success. It includes following a passion, having a dream and overcoming obstacles to achieve something significant and lasting. We are very proud of Jodie and his family, and congratulate them on this achievement.”
 
Stanfield has been invited to Washington, DC for National Small Business Week the end of April.