Coming to Texas A&M from Wortham, Texas, Rylee Goolsby ’25 originally was a Poultry Science major. In her first semester, she discovered the Dianne and Ed Rister ‘74 Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program. She realized this program could help her achieve her dream of opening a general store in Wortham, a small, rural town with a population of only 1,027 people. After further research into Agriculture Economics, Rylee also realized that this degree would be a better fit for her. After her first semester, she switched and not looked back since.  

Rylie with her mom, Pellie, at the local BBQ

Growing up, Rylee's family was very involved in the community. Her mother, Pellie Goolsby, currently serves as the mayor. This has allowed Rylee the opportunity to work numerous events and see the different aspects of what goes into helping a small rural community succeed economically. She has helped with the annual auction and the church BBQ every year, as well as other local festivals. Rylee's work with the city council has kept her busy throughout her time at Texas A&M.

The town of Wortham currently has one dollar store and one gas station. The closest grocery store is 20 minutes away. Rylee saw there was a need for a more convenient option for those living in Wortham This is what sparked her idea for her AGEC 425 project, Goolsby & Co. General Store.  This general store will source local produce and meat from farms in the surrounding area. Her desire to support local businesses came from trying to help her cousins, who own a small beef company from their ranch, try to find a better way to outsource their product. Her store will also work with major suppliers to help fill what local suppliers can not provide. In the fall, she worked with former Prof-for-a-day Shay Iacoponelli, business advisor with Brazos Valley Small Business Development Center, who helped her get a ring study to look at the demographics of Wortham and other areas to help her better understand the volume of product she will need to provide.  

Currently Rylee is working for Circle X Country Store, located in Bryan, Texas.  She reached out to the owner to ask him to be her mentor for AGEC 425. After multiple meetings with him about his business and her interests, he offered her a job as a sales associate. This has allowed her a hands-on experience.  Circle X is only open three days a week, but her current role allows her to have direct interaction with customers.  Additionally, she helps with online orders and hopes to eventually get more experience with the financial side of the business. 

While the most challenging part of AGEC 425 for Rylee has been managing her time. She feels that, since AGEC 424, she has learned how to use her time more efficiently and manage her schedule better between work, classes, and her AGEC 425 project.  Her favorite part of the program so far has been the Kathi and Murray Edwards ’73 Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Mentoring Forum, saying that she really enjoyed “meeting people and getting to hear their stories and input.”  There, she had the opportunity to speak with Texas A&M Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, Dr. Chrystol Thomas, who helped her better understand how to get more funding.

Rylee says her idea of an entrepreneur has been reinforced throughout the year, with AGEC 424 and AGEC 425, stating that she believes an entrepreneur is “someone who marches to the beat of their own drum and is an independent go-getter.” After graduating in May, Rylee plans to work full-time for Circle X in Bryan. She plans to learn as much as she can, and then eventually take her AGEC 425 project and her experience to open the general store in Wortham. Rylee will be competing at the Symposium in April.