Special to Wesson News
A building in Wesson on Highway 51, still often called the “old Sunflower Grocery store” by locals and a Halloween season haunted house that brought visitors to town for several years is now the site of a business dream of two local transplants.
Ricky Breazeale, who came to town nine years ago with his Wesson native wife Jessica to help care for her mother after her late step father had been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, and Brent Duguid, who came here with his wife Stephanie 16 years ago when she was hired for an executive position at Co-Lin and later himself became Dean of the college’s Career, Technical and Workforce Education (CTE) division, are partnering in building Grace Foam Solutions (GFS).
In a chance encounter at a Wesson High School basketball game, they started talking about the enormous potential in distributing spray foam insulation for commercial and residential applications that led to building a dream of a multi-million dollar employer that would create jobs in Wesson.
Brezeale started the company in September 2023 and Duguid came on board as a humble delivery driver in January 2024 to become part owner in short order. Brezeale named the company to reflect his values and provide the basis for its motto, beliefs and vision, and Duguid concurred.
“Since we are children of God and covered by His Grace, we get the opportunity to share this message of Grace with customers, vendors and the entire community,” says Brazeale. “This isn’t just a business, but a ministry, too,” said Breazeale.
GFS distributes products of Central Urethane based at Lagro, Indiana. It does not install the spray foam insulation, but rather sells to contractors who provide installation services. The company currently distributes its foam product in Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Georgia and Tennessee. Over seven months, it has opened up two more locations in Boonville and Hattiesburg.
“We plan to bring jobs to Wesson,” says Breazeale. “Our end goal is to continue to grow exponentially. There are huge things on the horizon for this company. God has blessed us and we want to be a blessing in return.” Adds Duguid: “Our new venture in Wesson embodies the spirit of community, faith, and hard work. It’s a blessing to launch a faith-based company that not only produces American-made products but also actively supports our local community. This company is a living testament to the values instilled throughout my life experiences.”
As partners in the new company, Breazeale and Duguid balance each other. Breazeale brings a selling background and expertise in insulation, while Duguid is a professional with technical skills in all things mechanical.
Brezeale and his wife left North Alabama for Gulfport, Mississippi, after he discovered an opportunity in insulation sales and two years later came to Wesson, where he continued to sell while insulation while they readjusted to small-town life and help his mother-in-law. “It was definitely different,” recalls Breazeale. “There’s not a lot of the same amenities, things we were used to. But we’re glad to be here. Jessica’s hometown is pretty cool, maybe cooler than Ellisville. Copiah County is now home.”
Before he came to Wesson and followed his wife to Co-Lin, Duguid had owned two
businesses in Phoenix, Arizona -- a handyman service and an auto body restoration shop. “As the CTE Dean at Co-Lin, I had the privilege of fostering the growth and innovation of technical programs,” Duguid says. In GFS, I am bridging my life and professional experiences and creating a foundation for a brighter future.”
As their men grow their business, Jessica Breazeale and Stephanie Duguid are also growing their careers in Wesson. Jessica teaches part-time for Co-Lin, and owns and operates Jessica Breazeale Consulting, a digital marketing firm with two employees and multiple contract laborers.
Stephanie Duguid has left Co-Lin, and is a leadership expert, professional development specialist, author, consultant, and podcast host of a monthly audio show, “Empowering Women in Educational Leadership.” Recently, she joined Jumpstart Test Prep, a Brookhaven company, as the Vice President of Sales and Marketing.
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