After graduating from Arkansas State University in 2012, Logan Towles of Caraway embarked on a career in sales and soon discovered a knack for building genuine connections with people.
Working in the agriculture industry, she developed strong relationships with local farmers. Showing up early for coffee meetings, she took the time to listen to their needs, concerns, and stories.
These efforts didn’t just result in sales. They fostered trust and camaraderie.
When Logan decided to venture out on her own in 2024, those relationships became her greatest asset. The same farmers she had spent years connecting with were eager to support her new business, confident in her ability to deliver quality products and unmatched service.
Her journey to business ownership, however, was not without challenges.
A Fast Start
Originally, she was planning to buy out her boss and take over ownership of the business. But when things took an unexpected turn, she made the bold decision to leave and start her own company.
By the following Monday, she was selling products under her own business name.
To navigate these rapid changes, Towles sought guidance from A-State’s Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center. State Senator Dave Wallace recommended she contact Laura Miller at the center, a move that proved instrumental.
“[Ms. Laura] helped me get an outline of what I needed, options of where I could go to get lending, and exactly what I needed to go and meet with lenders,” she shared.
The center also provided crucial assistance with intimidating tasks like cost projections. Miller helped her “understand what I would need and how to build that out. Also, just the confidence that I was capable,” said Towles.
In April 2024, Migration Ag LLC officially opened its doors. Specializing in chemicals, the company provides farmers with high-quality, generic agricultural products at competitive prices.
The foundation of her business is the dual desire to “provide a good-quality and honestly priced product and maintain great customer relationships,” Towles said. “I pride myself on the customer relationships I have built and wanted to do something for myself to build off of those.”
Starting the business wasn’t easy. “I had to start quicker than I wanted to, on terms that weren’t the greatest, and I had no idea what I needed—such as certifications, licenses, etc.,” she admitted.
Yet through perseverance, determination, and community support, Logan overcame these obstacles and created a company she’s proud of.
Learning On the Job
Business ownership has been a learning experience, she added. “Owning your own business is a lot less of the ‘fun stuff,’ being out in the field, seeing people face to face, and a lot more sitting behind a computer and answering emails and orchestrating the business’s movements.”
The main thing she’s learned is, “Most of all, to always bet on yourself.”
Migration Ag has created four new jobs, making a positive impact on the local economy. Long-term, Logan hopes to steadily grow the business, hire and retain great employees, and leave a lasting impact in her community.
Towles credits the A-State ASBTDC and her consultant, Laura Miller, with putting her on the path to success. “I feel as though Ms. Laura and I have been through the trenches, and will always go back to her with questions and help if I need it,” she said.
She’s become a strong advocate for the center, recommending its services to other young entrepreneurs. “The ASBTDC is a hidden gem in NEA, and we are lucky to have them. I also think they shouldn’t be hidden—they should be one of ASU’s shining stars.”