Morgan Peters is a wife, mom of four, entrepreneur and second-generation family business owner. Alongside her husband, Jeffry, she’s helped grow several South Mississippi businesses, including Jack’s Home Improvement, Jack’s Plant + Patio, Sleepy Bear Food + Drink, Brick Street Social, Platinum Self- Storage and Platinum Boat + RV.
While each business is different, they all share the same purpose: creating places where people feel welcomed, inspired and connected. Outside of business, Peters is a worship leader at Northwood Church, and her faith, family and community shape every decision she makes.
Q: What are you passionate about and why?
A: “I’m passionate about hospitality and creating places where people want to linger. No matter which of our businesses someone enters, I’m always thinking about the little things. What do visitors smell when they walk through the door? What music is playing? How does the space make them feel? Where will they take a picture? These small details may seem insignificant individually, but together, they create an experience that people remember long after they’ve left.
I also love creating opportunities for families and friends to make memories together. Whether it’s a girlfriends’ gathering at The Bear on a Friday morning, children visiting Santa at Plant + Patio, a mother picking out family Christmas outfits at Brick Street or someone finding the perfect gift for a loved one, I love knowing our businesses get to be a small part of life’s meaningful moments.
We’re not just selling coffee, plants, gifts or hardware. We’re creating places where people gather, celebrate and connect. If someone leaves one of our businesses feeling more connected to others or to our community, then we’ve accomplished exactly what we’d hoped to do.”
Q: What achievements or awards are you most proud of?
A: “While I’m grateful for the opportunities we’ve had, including seeing both Plant + Patio and Sleepy Bear featured in Mississippi Magazine, I’m most proud of the impact we’ve been able to make in our community. One of the accomplishments that means the most to me has been helping establish the Stone County Business Collective, the new chamber of commerce for Wiggins. I believe strong communities are built when local businesses support one another, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to help create an organization focused on connection, collaboration and our county’s future.
I’m also proud to be part of businesses that not only serve our customers but invest in the communities they call home. If I have been able to encourage someone to shop local, support another small business or help make South Mississippi an even better place to live and raise a family, then I consider that one of my greatest accomplishments.”
Q: Share a quote or mantra that you live by.
A: “One thing my team will tell you I say is, ‘Hate it ‘til you love it.’ This usually comes up when we’re decorating a display, fluffing a Christmas tree, styling a table or rearranging a bookshelf. There’s almost always a point where you look at it and think, “Well … this looks terrible,” but I’ve learned not to quit there. Keep moving things around. Keep tweaking. Eventually, it comes together.
In business and in life, not everything starts out beautiful, and not every idea works the first time. Sometimes you must trust the process, keep showing up and keep making little improvements. Oftentimes something just clicks, and you’ll end up with a result that’s even better than you imagined.”