Every Success Inspires Another.
The stories featured here are just the beginning of a collection that celebrates our region’s entrepreneurial spirit. We are always seeking new stories of triumph, connection, and growth. Help us build our library of inspiration—share your story today!
Not every business starts with a perfect plan. For the Leggett family of Chapel Hill Forge, it started with a leap of faith. Their story is all about resilience, family, and what can happen when you build a life on your own terms, especially when you find the right community to back you up.
It all kicked off in 2016 when Zad’s job as a State Constable was restructured. Instead of looking for another job, they decided to bet on themselves. Zad started the business right from their home, using his skills as a former farrier, while Mandy kept her full-time job. They were truly living on a wing and a prayer, making small batches of metal and leather jewelry. A year later, Mandy left her job to go all-in on Chapel Hill Forge and homeschooling.
And the entrepreneurial bug spread! Their son, Bud, only seven at the time, decided he wanted in on the action. He started making and selling fire starters to save up for a truck. He was learning about profit, expenses, and even taxes before he was a teenager.
But life threw them a major curveball. In 2021, Zad had a heart attack. It was a terrifying wake-up call that pushed the whole family to focus on a healthier lifestyle and dive deeper into homesteading. Out of that challenge came a new opportunity. They opened a state-registered kitchen and started a micro bakery, adding amazing baked goods to their lineup of blacksmithing and repair services.
In 2023, they moved the whole operation to a 15-acre homestead in McClure, looking for a slower pace of life here in the Juniata River Valley. But moving meant starting over from scratch, which is tough for any business. That’s when finding the local entrepreneur community made all the difference.
As Mandy puts it, “Only moving here in 2023, this group has allowed me to connect with other business owners, as well as grow our own business. It is challenging to move from where you lived for 35+ years and start all over but having this group of motivated and helpful business owners to connect with has made a huge difference.”
Jumping into events like the Entrepreneur Meetup gave them more than just business cards, it gave them a support system of people who actually understood what they were going through. Those connections were key to successfully planting their business in a new town.
Now, Chapel Hill Forge is thriving and ready for whatever’s next. “We are excited to continue to grow our micro bakery, our KitchenAid repair business, our blacksmithing and farming business, and all the other little adventures that we get into as we continue to invest ourselves in this great community!” Mandy says. Their story is the perfect example of how grit, family, and a great local network can turn tough times into amazing opportunities.
For years, I made it a point to regularly attend local networking events like the Chamber After Hours and the Entrepreneur Meetups. I always found them beneficial, leaving with a new contact, a fresh idea, or simply a renewed sense of energy. I knew showing up was important, but I never could have predicted how one specific conversation would completely change the trajectory of my career.
It happened at a Chamber After Hours event that I happened to be hosting with a client of mine. During that event I struck up a conversation about the growing importance of a strong digital presence for small businesses with an individual who at the time I had just met. Because of that single discussion, I was presented with an incredible opportunity: to become the official Grow with Google Coach for Pennsylvania, as part of a national initiative that Downtown Lewistown Inc. was chosen to host in partnership with Main Street America and Google.
For the next 16 months, I traveled across the state, working hands-on with small businesses in rural communities just like ours. I helped entrepreneurs and local business owners improve their digital skills and leverage online tools to grow. It was more than a job; it was a career-defining experience that opened doors for me on both a local and national level, allowing me to continue my passion for working with and supporting entrepreneurs.
That experience solidified a lesson I had been learning over the last few years: our community is rich with beneficial resources, from trainings and grants to one-on-one business support. The entrepreneurs I consistently see making real, tangible progress are the ones who actively seek out and take advantage of these opportunities. My journey is a testament to that, and it all started by simply showing up and being part of the conversation.
For McKenna Krepps and Madison Stauffer, entrepreneurship isn’t just a career path; it’s woven into who they are. With backgrounds in design and their own successful side businesses, Art by Kenna and Madi Jo Photo, the two co-owners were already active members of the local creative community. So, when the opportunity arose to take over a beloved local business, Yoder’s Tees & More, they were ready to step up and build on its legacy.
In the fall of 2023, they began training, and by February 2024, the doors to Big Valley Prints & Co. were officially open. From the start, McKenna and Madison understood that running a successful storefront was about more than just great products; it was about deep community integration. They actively sought out every opportunity to learn and connect, becoming active Chamber Members and taking advantage of everything from networking to ribbon cuttings, participating in Entrepreneurial Meetups, utilizing Grow with Google resources, and even enrolling in the Covation Center’s Masterclass to sharpen their skills.
This commitment to connection is at the heart of their business philosophy. “Always look for ways to make connections and network with your community,” the duo advises. “If you show support for your fellow businesses, even ones that might be your competitors, they will show you support in response.”
That mindset has paid off. They’ve built a reputation not just for their quality apparel and gifts, but for their collaborative spirit. They also embrace the realities of the entrepreneurial journey with wisdom beyond their years. “It sounds cliche, but do not be afraid to fail,” they share. “The ability to own up to those mistakes and use failures as learning experiences are what will make you successful.”
For Big Valley Prints & Co., the local network has been a crucial ingredient for their strong start. As they put it, “The local community of entrepreneurs are our biggest cheerleaders. They know what it takes to build a business themselves, and they are constantly there to show support for us in any way possible.” Their story is a powerful example of how the next generation of entrepreneurs is leveraging community support to build something lasting.
Joshua M.
There's an incredible, positive energy at every single one of these events. It doesn't matter if it's a small meetup or a larger workshop; you always leave feeling recharged and inspired.
Mike B.
It is refreshing to see the younger generations so engaged and excited about their businesses
McKenna & Madi
The local community of entrepreneurs are our biggest cheerleaders. They know what it takes to build a business themselves, and they are constantly there to show support for us in any way possible.
Entrepreneur
I'm continually impressed by the Chamber's commitment to the entrepreneurial community. They truly understand what we need and always deliver high-quality, supportive events.
Jonathan J.
The biggest thing I’ve noticed in our local group of entrepreneurs, networking events, and training sessions is how much everyone genuinely understands that we need each other to succeed. The willingness to help one another—even direct competitors is incredible. It feels unique to this area, and it’s what causes all boats to rise. Everyone truly wants to see not just individual businesses thrive, but the entire community grow alongside them.
Mandy
This group has allowed me to connect with other business owners, as well as grow our own business. It is challenging to move from where you lived for 35+ years and start all over, but having this group of motivated and helpful business owners to connect with has made a huge difference.