Ellie Bowman's Journey to Success in Rural Kansas

Ellie Bowman, a young entrepreneur from rural Kansas, has transformed a local lumberyard into a thriving business by prioritizing customer needs. Growing up on a farm near Lewis, Kansas, with her parents Jimbob and Jeannine Bowman, Ellie was always surrounded by a can-do attitude. Her father, known for fixing anything, and her mother, who managed their family farm, instilled in her a strong work ethic.

After graduating with honors in agribusiness from Kansas State University, Ellie was unsure of her career path but knew she wanted to work for herself. In 2021, a casual comment from a family friend about a lumberyard in Kinsley sparked an idea. Ellie and her family purchased the business, and in November 2022, they opened Prickly Pear Farm and Home.

Rebranding and Expanding Services

Ellie rebranded the store with a fun, alliterative name and an eye-catching logo featuring a blooming cactus. Beyond traditional lumber and building materials, the store now offers a wide range of products and services, including plumbing supplies, hardware, paint, electrical items, feed, fencing, and even a mercantile section with gifts like jams and jellies. A local 13-year-old even designs cards for the store!

Key services include pipe cutting, glass and plexiglass cutting, window repair, chainsaw sharpening, and custom paint mixing—many of which are credited to Ellie's father, Jimbob. The store also hosts seasonal community events and hands-on workshops to engage the local community.

The Power of Customer Focus

Ellie attributes her success to listening to customer needs and wants. By ensuring customers leave happy and successful, she doubled the business in its first year. This achievement earned her the 2024 To The Stars award from the Kansas Department of Commerce as the Under 30 Entrepreneur of the Year.

Deeply passionate about rural communities, Ellie describes herself as "rural by choice" and aims to support Kansas through multiple stores. Her philosophy is simple: Success is built on relationships, and taking care of the customer is paramount.

For more details, visit pricklypearfarmandhome.com.