JACO Meats didn’t start in the shiny, state-of-the-art facility it has now. Instead, the business began in a backyard in Spring Hill.
Owners Colton and Presley Capps, along with Jacob and Ally Askew, saw a gap in the market: a lack of wild game processors in their area.
What began as a small side hustle quickly transformed into a full-fledged, state-inspected meat processing business that now wholesales and retails meat, poultry, and fish.
From Side Hustle to Full-Time Success
In the beginning, the two couples balanced full-time jobs, farming, and raising young children—all while growing their little but promising business. By year two, the increasing customer demand made it clear: JACO Meats had real potential.
Instead of rushing to expand, they took a strategic approach, focusing on building a loyal customer base before making big moves.
Then came COVID-19, which disrupted supply chains and left consumers scrambling for local meat processors. JACO Meats was ready to meet the demand.
Funding from the Arkansas Meat and Poultry Processing Grant Program helped them secure a new facility up the road in Hope, positioning the business for long-term sustainability.
The ASBTDC Connection
When JACO Meats decided to expand, they turned to the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center at Southern Arkansas University for guidance. Market research from ASBTDC helped them move forward with confidence.
“Their insights reassured us that we were making the right move,” said Colton Capps.
Colton, an SAU grad, first contacted the center when the business was in its early stages and continued to consult with center director Janell Reeves through each stage of growth.
From a wild game processing service, JACO soon expanded into livestock processing and retail sales.
More recently, JACO Meats has added curing and smoking products like bacon and summer sausage, continuing to adapt to meet customer needs.
Advice for Entrepreneurs
Colton Capps had four pieces of advice for aspiring business owners:
- Start small. Build a strong customer base before expanding.
- Avoid too much debt. Growth should be strategic, not rushed.
- Just start. Don’t wait for perfection. Customer feedback will help shape your business.
- Know your goal. Are you creating a job for yourself or a scalable business?
Looking Ahead
For JACO Meats, perseverance is their proudest achievement.
“Hearing customers thank us for existing confirms the need for our business,” says Capps.
And when it comes to resources for business development and expansion, he highly recommends ASBTDC:
“They’re professional, confidential, and invaluable for business growth.”
With a loyal customer base and a commitment to quality, JACO Meats proves that even the smallest beginnings can lead to something great.
Learn more about JACO Meats at jacomeats.com.