DCI Sanitation

Having served in the U.S. Army for 9 years, which included a tour in Bosnia, David Ingram moved his family to Ennis, Texas in 2005. As a new home owner, he had only two choices for trash collection, but neither one delivered what he considered an acceptable level of customer service. After paying in advance for services that weren’t provided, he recognized an opportunity to start his own trash collection service.

David sent out 1,000 flyers to area residents and had 76 customers quickly respond. With only a truck and flat bed trailer, he started DCI Sanitation in December of 2005 as a sole proprietorship. In March of 2006, he purchased a retired waste collection truck from Southern Methodist University and began providing service to the city of Milford.

A year later, he had a full time driver, two part-time throwers and was also servicing the city of Garrett.

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PopAcres Ranch and Farm

In 2000, Jackie King was living in an apartment in Richardson, Texas and attending seminars sponsored by the Texas Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (TOFGA). While she had envisioned growing her own organic garden, Jackie’s life took a decisive direction when she met Donald King at work and found they shared several mutual interests. Both had backgrounds in accounting, but more importantly, they also shared the same passion for sustainable, organic farming and ranching.

The couple married in 2001 and purchased 80 acres in Pursley, Texas and another 43 acres in 2004 that included a house where they now live and operate P.O.P. Acres Ranch and Farm. Their home-based business raises free-ranging grass fed cattle and 80 acres are certified organic by the Texas Department of Agriculture. Using no grain or hormones, the Kings practice “salad bar grazing” through a combination of native and seeded grasses. The diet for their cattle is supplemented with organic feed and minerals that Jackie also sells to area farms and ranches to generate additional income.

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Three Sisters Sweets and Eats

Back in 1995 when Alisia Greer had a route she worked for Frito Lay, baking and catering events were more a hobby than new business venture. Four years later, her hobby had grown to 40 hours a week with still another 50-60 hours on the road with Frito Lay. No longer considered a hobby, she decided to leave Frito Lay in 2001 and work full time in her catering business, Affordable Affairs.

With a commercial kitchen in her home and the help of family members, Alisia was now catering events in not only Navarro County but also surrounding counties. In addition to weddings, she catered all types of parties—birthdays, engagements, anniversaries—along with business and social events, luncheons and even funerals. Then in 2005, she began to have requests for pre-prepared meals from customers who had enjoyed her cooking at events she catered and wanted a convenient, timesaving solution for their busy lives.

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