Mid South Business Exchange

For 33 years it sat closed, promised to the community as a park. Today it is the DeSoto County Agri-Education Center, a 200-acre, $19 million facility on Starlanding Road in Nesbit, built without a tax increase. In this episode of Southaven Business Beat, host Cristan Engelke sits down with director Michael Lee, a former county supervisor, to walk through what is actually out there: a 2,000-seat indoor arena, an outdoor covered arena, stall barns, a teaching kitchen, a greenhouse, walking and equestrian trails, and programs from 4-H to Master Gardeners to Mississippi State University Extension.

This episode of Southaven Business Beat focuses on the real-world lessons that drive local success. We sit down with Ms. Brooke Benedict to discuss the core values that shape effective business leadership and how to apply these principles to your own professional journey. This conversation is designed for entrepreneurs, community leaders, and anyone looking to improve their operations through shared experience.

She spent nearly 30 years in a domestic violence situation without knowing what it was called. The night she moved in, she sat down with the intake paperwork and checked yes to every question on the cycle of violence sheet. That was the first time she understood what had been happening to her.

This episode of Southaven Business Beat is a firsthand account of how one of the fastest-growing cities in the Mid-South was built from nothing. Lorine sat down with Debbie King, President and CEO of the Southaven Chamber of Commerce, to share what Southaven was, what it took to get here, and what the original west side of the city needs now to stay strong.

Alison Mitchell walked away from 20 years as a real estate executive, packed up her life in Texas, and moved to a county where she knew almost nobody. Now she is the Director of Tourism for DeSoto County, and she is rebuilding what tourism means for the entire Mid-South region, not just the venues everyone already knows.

In this episode, Joseph pulls back the curtain on what actually happens after you file an insurance claim for fire or water damage. Who does the estimate. Why it can take two months. Why no one calls you back. And what separates an ethical restoration company from one that will cost you money out of pocket.

Host: Cristan Engelke and Shawntel Hibbler VIDEO DESCRIPTION The Southaven Chamber of Commerce is going on a cruise, and you’re invited. Book your room here: https://bit.ly/4uw7DjX Cristan Engelke and Shawntel Hibbler of the Southaven Chamber, announce the 2027 Chamber Cruise sailing June 12 through June 17 aboard the Carnival Dream out of New Orleans, with stops in Cozumel and Costa ... Read More

Host: Cristan Engelke Guest: George Webb VIDEO DESCRIPTION Southaven Business Beat is produced by Pure Focus Media in partnership with the Southaven Chamber of Commerce, featuring the business owners and community leaders shaping DeSoto County and the greater Memphis area. Topics covered: personal branding for salespeople, why reviews decide your reputation, handling a bad review the right way, the follow-up ... Read More

Host: Cristan Engelke Guest: Bob Bakken VIDEO DESCRIPTION From farm boy in northwest Minnesota to 50+ years in broadcasting, radio, television, and print journalism — Bob Bakken has done it all. In this episode of the Southaven Business Beat, we sit down with one of DeSoto County’s most familiar media faces to hear the story behind decades of storytelling. Bob ... Read More

Host: Aaron Cozort Guest: Chad Engelke VIDEO DESCRIPTION In this episode of Southaven Business Beat, host Aaron Cozort (Wisdom Integrators) sits down with Chad Engelke of Pure Focus Media to cut through the hype and get real about what AI actually means for small business owners in Southaven, DeSoto County, and the Mid-South region. They break down how local businesses ... Read More