10. Nina Easley: Powdered Sugar Powers Rural Main Street Revival

Nina Easley wears many hats: mother, advocate for dyslexic students, and owner of a rural Iowa coffee shop that's helping revitalize her hometown's main street. With deep roots in Earlham, a tiny town just 20 miles west of Des Moines, Nina's decision to open a breakfast spot featuring a secret beignet recipe from her late husband’s family, is the fulfillment of a dream the two had often discussed. Today, Easley's Beans and Beignets Coffee and Ice Cream Shop draws visitors from miles around with its sweet, powdered sugar-covered treats, coffee served in oversized ceramic cups, and a vibe made cool by both the shop’s culture and its location in beautifully restored historic building.