Welcome to Ridgeland, Mississippi, where the spirit of community and innovation converge just north of Jackson. With nearly 25,000 residents, Ridgeland offers a vibrant blend of modern amenities and Southern charm. This dynamic city has become a beacon of growth and opportunity, recognized for its robust economy and cutting-edge technology in both homes and businesses.
Ridgeland takes pride in its commitment to quality living, as reflected in its esteemed recognition as Mississippi's healthiest hometown. The city's outdoor paradise includes miles of bike trails ideal for cycling enthusiasts and the stunning natural beauty of the Natchez Trace Parkway and Ross Barnett Reservoir. From serene nature escapes to exhilarating outdoor activities, Ridgeland invites residents and visitors alike to embrace an active lifestyle.
The city's dedication to greenery and sustainability is evident as a Tree City USA, proudly reflecting its vibrant landscapes. Additionally, as a Google eCity, Ridgeland stands out as a digital innovator, fostering a tech-savvy community ready for the future.
With award-winning education, diverse shopping experiences, and delectable dining options, Ridgeland is a place where families and individuals can ...
Discover the Charms of Ridgeland,
4 | HelloRidgeland, Mississippi • Winter Issue
Discover the Charms of Ridgeland, Mississippi: A Place to Thrive
Welcome to Ridgeland, Mississippi, where the spirit of community and innovation converge just north of Jackson. With nearly 25,000 residents, Ridgeland offers a vibrant blend of modern amenities and Southern charm. This dynamic city has become a beacon of growth and opportunity, recognized for its robust economy and cutting-edge technology in both homes and businesses.
Ridgeland takes pride in its commitment to quality living, as reflected in its esteemed recognition as Mississippi's healthiest hometown. The city's outdoor paradise includes miles of bike trails ideal for cycling enthusiasts and the stunning natural beauty of the Natchez Trace Parkway and Ross Barnett Reservoir. From serene nature escapes to exhilarating outdoor activities, Ridgeland invites residents and visitors alike to embrace an active lifestyle.
The city's dedication to greenery and sustainability is evident as a Tree City USA, proudly reflecting its vibrant landscapes. Additionally, as a Google eCity, Ridgeland stands out as a digital innovator, fostering a tech-savvy community ready for the future.
With award-winning education, diverse shopping experiences, and delectable dining options, Ridgeland is a place where families and individuals can truly flourish. Whether you're exploring the city for the first time or considering making it your home, Ridgeland greets you with open arms and endless possibilities. Come see why this Southern gem is a prime destination for living and thriving.
Hello Ridgeland, Mississippi • Winter Issue |5
Discover the Charms of Ridgeland,
FEATURED STORY
How BBB Mississippi Builds Marketplace Trust Statewide with CEO John O’Hara
by HelloNation Staff
John O’Hara leads the Better Business Bureau Serving Mississippi, and his message is consistent. The BBB gives people public information about businesses, a fair process when something goes wrong, and plain tips that help them avoid scams. In a state where many transactions still begin with a call or a handshake, that combination is practical and easy to use.O’Hara has been president and CEO since 2012, and the structure has remained the same. Consumers can look up Business Profiles to see complaint patterns and company responses in context, not as
6 | HelloRidgeland, Mississippi • Winter Issue
HelloNation Staff
ABOUT THE AUTHOR HelloNation is a national magazine dedicated to practical consumer education. We translate real marketplace issues into plain steps that help people set fair expectations, compare options, and resolve problems. Our editorial mission closely aligns with the Better Business Bureau’s emphasis on public education and transparent practices, while remaining independent and not affiliated.
isolated comments. Businesses can point to those same records to show how they handle problems. This shared visibility encourages better conduct before anyone signs a contract, which is when most issues can still be prevented.Mississippi sees its share of fraud attempts, and O’Hara’s outreach focuses on habits that work across many schemes. He reminds people to type official web addresses into a browser, to treat unexpected links and attachments with caution, and to be skeptical of payment requests by gift card or wire. He also notes that a careful screenshot, a saved email, and a
Hello Ridgeland, Mississippi • Winter Issue |7
How BBB Mississippi Builds Marketplace Trust Statewide with CEO John O’Hara
John O’Hara leads the Better Business Bureau Serving Mississippi, and his message is consistent. The BBB gives people public information about businesses, a fair process when something goes wrong, and plain tips that help them avoid scams. In a state where many transactions still begin with a call or a handshake, that combination is practical and easy to use. O’Hara has been president and CEO since 2012, and the structure has remained the same. Consumers can look up Business Profiles to see complaint patterns and company responses in context, not as isolated comments. Businesses can point to those same records to show how they handle problems. This shared visibility encourages better conduct before anyone signs a contract, which is when most issues can still be prevented. Mississippi sees its share of fraud attempts, and O’Hara’s outreach focuses on habits that work across many schemes. He reminds people to type official web addresses into a browser, to treat unexpected links and attachments with caution, and to be skeptical of payment requests by gift card or wire. He also notes that a careful screenshot, a saved email, and a dated receipt can make all the difference if a dispute arises later. These are small steps that fit busy lives, and they work whether the pitch shows up as a text, a social message, or a call. His public talks keep the tone steady. When he meets with business owners or students, he frames trust as a set of repeatable behaviors. Post refund and cancellation policies where customers can read them. Train frontline staff to respond with specifics rather than arguments. Confirm promises in writing with names and dates. These actions lower complaint volume, and if a complaint is filed, they make a clearer outcome more likely. Media appearances extend that same approach to a wider audience. Local outlets invite O’Hara to explain current scam trends and the warning signs that cut across tactics. Viewers and listeners hear the same plain guidance, slow down, verify independently, and report what you see so patterns emerge. The aim is not to memorize every new script, it is to build simple habits that make bad pitches easier to spot. Inside the bureau, the complaint process is deliberately transparent. A complaint that meets acceptance rules is forwarded to the business with a set timeline for a response. Staff ask both sides for documents and dates that support their accounts. Many matters close with a written plan the parties can follow, and that result appears on the profile. The point is not to pick winners, it is to make the facts easier to see so future buyers can make informed choices. Education runs alongside dispute work. In shopping seasons, the office emphasizes online purchase basics and charity research. After heavy weather, reminders focus on written estimates, staged payments, and verifying licenses and insurance for contractors. The office also speaks to civic groups and classrooms across the state. Over time, these routine messages add up to a shared language that both consumers and businesses understand. O’Hara’s background equips him to bridge conversations between households and companies. Years in operations and management taught him to focus on process, clarity, and follow through. That perspective fits the BBB’s mission, which relies on everyday actions rather than slogans. A clear return policy that staff can explain will prevent more disputes than any single campaign. A faster, specific reply to a complaint can save a relationship that might otherwise be lost. Mississippi’s geography shapes the daily work too. The bureau serves 76 counties from its Flowood office, which means audiences range from metro neighborhoods to small towns. The same core tools work everywhere. A buyer checks a profile before hiring, a seller posts terms in plain language, and a well-documented exchange keeps expectations aligned. When information is public and steps are simple, most problems become smaller and faster to resolve. Public trust also grows when people see consistent behavior. When a business replies on time with dates, receipts, and next steps, the record shows it. When an issue is fixed, that outcome remains visible for the next person. The bureau is not a court, but it is a reliable forum that rewards documentation and good faith. Over time, those routine cases create a living picture of how companies act when things do not go perfectly. O’Hara’s community talks come back to the same idea. Consumers and businesses share the marketplace, so they also share the habits that keep it healthy. When both sides use clear information, written terms, and a calm process, trust becomes the default. That is the promise the BBB has offered for decades, and it is the one his office continues to deliver across Mississippi
When bothsides use clearinformation, written terms, anda calmprocess, trust becomes thedefault.
dated receipt can make all the difference if a dispute arises later. These are small steps that fit busy lives, and they work whether the pitch shows up as a text, a social message, or a call.His public talks keep the tone steady. When he meets with business owners or students, he frames trust as a set of repeatable behaviors. Post refund and cancellation policies where customers can read them. Train frontline staff to respond with specifics rather than arguments. Confirm promises i...
Custom or Commercial Easter Gifts in Mississippi
Parents in Central Mississippi often debate whether custom Easter gifts or commercial baskets make the most sense for their children. Many families enjoy the convenience of store-bought items because they're easy to find and offer a wide variety of colors and themes. Others prefer handmade toys or
personalized buckets that last longer than candy or plastic trinkets. The best choice depends on the family's priorities and how long they want the gift to remain meaningful.Handmade Easter gifts attract parents who value craftsmanship. Items like wooden name puzzles or small step stools give
8 | HelloRidgeland, Mississippi • Winter Issue
Custom or Commercial Easter Gifts in Mississippi
Parents in Central Mississippi often debate whether custom Easter gifts or commercial baskets make the most sense for their children. Many families enjoy the convenience of store-bought items because they're easy to find and offer a wide variety of colors and themes. Others prefer handmade toys or personalized buckets that last longer than candy or plastic trinkets. The best choice depends on the family's priorities and how long they want the gift to remain meaningful.
Handmade Easter gifts attract parents who value craftsmanship. Items like wooden name puzzles or small step stools give children something they can use through several stages of early growth. Many Ridgeland parents say these pieces become part of the bedroom, not just part of the basket. They handle rough play better than mass-produced items and feel more meaningful because they're built with a specific child in mind. Local makers invest time and skill into each piece, creating a sense of connection to the craft.
Commercial Easter gifts remain popular because they bring instant color and excitement. Stores fill their aisles with stuffed bunnies, themed buckets, and bright candy well ahead of the holiday, letting parents assemble baskets quickly and affordably. Families who enjoy matching trends or switching themes each year find commercial items easier because they can change direction without delay. The variety helps parents looking for quick ideas when time is short.
Parents who want custom Easter gifts should plan ahead—handcrafted work typically requires four to six weeks of lead time. This schedule gives makers enough time to prepare materials, finish details, and ship items before the holiday. In Central Mississippi, many small shops reach capacity early as demand rises. Families who wait too long may find personalization unavailable. Planning ahead secures a special gift without last-minute stress.
Whether handmade toys are better than store-bought ones depends on how families measure value. Handmade toys last longer and often become keepsakes after children outgrow them. Store-bought items offer convenience and variety, suiting families who want to keep the holiday simple. Both choices bring joy, and many parents mix the two for a balanced basket.
Timing matters when ordering personalized toys for Christmas or Easter in Mississippi. Makers who build custom holiday gifts often set similar schedules for both seasons. Four to six weeks before the holiday is the safest window for confirmed orders. Weather, shipping delays, and seasonal rushes can narrow this timeframe. Parents wanting wooden puzzles, monogrammed buckets, or handmade Christmas toys should check local timelines before stores launch their holiday displays.
Many families in Ridgeland rely on a blend of handmade and commercial pieces for Easter and Christmas because it gives them the best of both worlds. Children enjoy opening new store-bought items while also using personalized pieces made just for them. This approach keeps the holiday fun and helps parents choose gifts that last.Commercial Easter gifts, personalized toys, wooden name puzzle
Melissa Skelton
invest time and skill into each piece, creating a sense of connection to the craft.Commercial Easter gifts remain popular because they bring instant color and excitement. Stores fill their aisles with stuffed bunnies, themed buckets, and bright candy well ahead of the holiday, letting parents assemble baskets quickly and affordably. Families who enjoy matching trends or switching themes each year find commercial items easier because they can change direction without delay. The variety helps parents looking for quick ideas when time is short.Parents who want custom Easter gifts should plan ahead—handcrafted work typically...
children something they can use through several stages of early growth. Many Ridgeland parents say these pieces become part of the bedroom, not just part of the basket. They handle rough play better than mass-produced items and feel more meaningful because they're built with a specific child in mind. Local makers
Parents who want custom Easter gifts should plan ahead—handcrafted work typically requires four to six weeks of lead time
About the Author
Melissa Skelton, Owner of The Commissary, leads Mississippi’s long-standing children’s boutique known for handcrafted and personalized gifts. She is dedicated to safe materials, thoughtful design, and locally rooted craftsmanship, creating meaningful toys and keepsakes that support early learning and family connection., Owner of The Commissary, leads Mississippi’s long-standing children’s boutique known for handcrafted and personalized gifts. She is dedicated to safe materials, thoughtful de...
