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College Trip to Peru Sparks World-Changing Nebraska Soap Business

Six years ago, Andrew Vrbas was a budget-strapped college student making soap in his college apartment. He had an idea for a business that would help change the lives of people around the world. After just five years in business, his Pacha Soap Co™ enterprise is already doing that. The business that he and his wife, Abi, started in Hastings in 2013 has donated 3.4 million bars of soap to people in developing countries, has created 256 jobs in Nebraska and around the world, has provided 74,078 children with hand-washing education and has created wells to provide 4,000 people with clean water. And in 2017, Whole Foods honored Pacha Soap with its 2017 Supplier of the Year award. It all started with Andrew’s 2010 trip to Peru. “As a junior in college, I didn’t know that a trip to volunteer for others would ignite a life change in me,” Andrew said. “My trip took me to Peru, South America, to volunteer at a local school and then later on, a local constructio

Love of Popcorn Leads to Thriving Business for Gibbon's HR Poppin' Snacks

Cheryl Hughes has loved eating popcorn since she was a little girl, especially caramel corn. When she learned that her favorite popcorn snack shop at Kearney’s Hilltop Mall would be closing in 2000, she decided to take action. “My initial goal was to continue to offer caramel popcorn to the area,” Cheryl said. Nearly 20 years later, Cheryl and Gary Hughes’ HR Poppin’ Snacks Gourmet Popcorn pops more than 20,000 pounds of popcorn seeds annually from their production shop in Gibbon. They sell their popcorn in more than 135 flavors at stores around the country. Their stellar customer service, high-quality round popcorn and willingness to share and give back have helped them become a rural Nebraska success story. “I am able to help people a lot through this business,” Cheryl said. “You wouldn’t think that selling popcorn would allow you to do that.” Gary and Cheryl Hughes Starting a popcorn business When the Munchville snack shop owner announced he was closing his Hillto

Spice Up Summer Steaks With Holen One Java Rub

Summer is just around the corner, and that means it’s finally time for summer barbecues and steaks on the grill! Several GROW Nebraska members, including longtime member Holen One Farms, offer sauces, marinades and seasonings to create the perfect flavor for your summer grilling. Spice Up Summer Steaks With Holen One Java Rub “Something magical happens when the blend of aromatic spices, peppers, turbinado sugar, and coffee is rubbed into ribs, roasts, steaks, or chicken before grilling. The coffee enhances the natural meat flavors, leaving the grilled meat a beautiful coffee brown.” That’s the description of Holen One Farms’ best-selling product, the Java Rib & Roast Rub, that can be used as a dry rub or all-purpose seasoning to make that perfect summer steak or pork chop. Holen One Farms of rural Loomis started their catering and seasonings business at about the same time that GROW Nebraska started and was one of its first members. Renee Holen said the par