Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Chevalier.
Hi Melissa, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am an US Army Veteran, entrepreneur, multi-business owner, Inn Keeper, self- taught chef, Chaplain of the Malta Bend Legion, Military Affairs Committee member, Creator and Director of the Central Missouri Loop, and a board member of the Saline Co Convention & Visitor’s Bureau. About 10 years ago I had opened an inn on my farm at Malta Bend. A little later that same time I got the opportunity to open a Missouri made product store in my hometown of Blackwater. A few months into both adventures I was trying to figure out how to bring people to both locations to help our businesses but also our other family owned businesses within the two communities. Then I had a realization that I could help many communities by creating a loop that would bring people from I70 or 65 Hwy. so I created the Central Missouri Loop! We’ve built it from just sending out travel guides to visitors centers across the state to creating a magazine that gives a brief history of each town and their family owned businesses. We continue to push for tourism in these 11 little towns. We’ve also inspired other areas to create their own loops, such as Missouri River Valley Loop! We hope to establish an interactive app that would allow people to use their phones to travel around the loop as well! I serve my community and numerous others as much as possible. I am currently working on becoming an official host for retreats for active and veteran military members and I teach Life skills classes at WAFB. I am a gardener of flowers, vegetables and orchards. I love to crochet, make candles, freeze dry fruits, pressure can most of what I grow, develop new recipes and menus for our hunting service we offer through my inn during the Fall and Winter months. I’m a host for Airbnb as well. I’ve also published a cookbook dedicated to our hunters. When I’m not running circles from all of that, I’m also a rodeo mom. My daughter and I travel around Missouri for Missouri High School Rodeo!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s been a long road of research and brainstorming trying to find ways to keep growing and helping our communities. Funding has been the biggest struggle.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Summerland Flats Inn & Market and The Central Missouri Loop?
I have such a wide array of things I do, but each of them connect in some way or another. It’s a free flow of ideas to create and grow as much as possible all the while remaining true to our small communities. I don’t just represent myself though. I promote our communities as a continuous loop of family and friends just supporting one another!
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Get out there and talk to people. Immerse yourself into their communities and get to know your neighbors! Help when you can!
Contact Info:
- Website: centralmoloop.com or summerlandflats.com
- Instagram: Central Missouri Loop
- Facebook: Central Missouri Loop or Summerland Flats Inn
