In our office, we talk a lot about small businesses…how to support them, how to grow them, and the importance of keeping them here. But most of the time, we’re talking about them in the abstract: storefronts, services, economic impact. There’s no question that those things matter, but they’re only part of the true picture.
It’s easy to recognize a business name, a storefront, a logo on a sign. It’s a little harder, and a whole lot more interesting, to know the people behind it. The ones who took a chance on an idea, who figured things out as they went, and who chose to build something in a place like Appanoose County. Because every business has a story: how it got started, the experiences that shaped it along the way, the unexpected turns, the challenges, and the small wins that meant more than anyone realized at the time.
That’s what our new ‘Behind the Business‘ blog series is all about, slowing down long enough to tell those stories and introduce you to the people behind the places you see every day.
A Shifting Small Business Landscape
Across the country, the small business landscape is shifting in a way that feels a little contradictory at first glance.
On one hand, a Spring 2025 Main Street America survey reported some of the lowest confidence levels among small business owners in years, driven by rising costs, workforce challenges, and uncertainty about what’s ahead. On the other hand, national data shows that younger generations (specifically 25-44 year olds) are starting businesses at some of the highest rates we’ve ever seen. Less certainty. More risk. And still, more people raising their hand and saying, “I’ll try it.”
In our own community it shows up in very real ways, through the decisions people are making about whether to start something, grow something or pass something on.
The Kind of Transition You Hope For
Tangleberries has long been one of those places that people don’t just visit, they build into their routine. It’s a coffee shop, yes, but it’s also a meeting space, a catch-up spot, a place to just sit down and work for awhile. For the past six years, Hope Susin and her family have created that space for our community. While we often focus on what it takes to start a business, we don’t talk as much about what it takes to step away from one, to recognize when it’s time for something new and to trust that the right person will come along to carry it forward.
In this case, they did. Sydney Ocker, someone both Hope and I grew up with, stepped in to take on that next chapter, bringing her own perspective, experiences, and ideas back to the same community we all started in. To give you a better sense of what that transition really looks like, from building something, to letting it go, to stepping in, we asked both Hope and Sydney to share their experiences in their own words. Here’s a closer look at the people behind Tangleberries—past, present, and what’s next.
When you look back at your time owning Tangleberries, what moment makes you the most proud?
One collective moment that makes me most proud is all the time we’ve been able to offer a gathering space for our community. I’ve been witness to coffee shop dates, lunch out of the office, a relaxing place to unwind after school, parties, baby showers, family reunions and so much more.
What’s a favorite memory or moment with customers over the years?
Most of my favorite memories come from times with the crew I’ve had over the past six years but a memory that really stands out to me is working from sun up to sun down every Pancake Day! I loved seeing everyone I know come visit us and support us even when the line was out the door. I loved the rush of working alongside some amazing work family and slinging really good coffee for hours.
What’s something people might not realize about the work that goes into running a business like Tangleberries?
think something others might not realize about running a business like Tangleberries is the after hours work that goes into it. I’ve been on call almost 24/7 for 6 years and it’s been one of the most difficult and rewarding experiences of my life. The owners, my parents, have also put so much time and effort into business after hours in addition to their own full time jobs. They built walls, replaced floors, kept the backend business running, did heavy lifting and chores, did the snow shoveling and so much more. Being the caretakers of a business like this is not for the faint of heart but being open for the community and seeing what we provide is a sweet reward.
Looking back, what’s one victory (big or small) that meant a lot to you during your time as an owner?
A major victory for me was providing a consistently amazing lunch and coffee menu. I’ve always been amazed by what we could do and offer for such a small space. I was really proud to hear compliments about our drinks and coffee because that was my wheelhouse and I curated that menu and its ingredients from the ground up.
What did it mean to you to find the right person to carry Tangleberries forward?
We care a lot about Tangleberries and what it provides for our community. We didn’t have control over what would happen to Tangleberries if someone new took over but we did have the option to stay open throughout the process of selling and that made us hopeful that a new owner would continue to offer much of what we already offered. We wanted to keep Tangleberries turn-key and we did just that!
What advice would you give to someone thinking about owning a small business in a community like ours?
The first few years are tough. But if you continue to learn, evolve and push updates to your business every year then you’re doing something right. Find your support people whether it’s friends and family or your local chamber and Main Street team. There are people out there who want to see you win. If you’re stuck or something isn’t working how you envisioned, don’t be afraid to ask for opinions or help.
What’s next?
Now that we’ve sold Tangleberries we’re all spending a little more time with family and getting some good naps in. Soon I’ll be ramping up a new eco-friendly and sustainable small business in the Bellmoor building right next to Tangleberries. I love working in the heart of Centerville and I love serving my hometown.
For people who may not know you yet, tell us a little about yourself and your background.
Hi, my name is Sydney and I am the 30 year old daughter of Russ and Angela Ocker. I have a younger brother named Jaxson who currently lives in Montana.
I have always had a vision of owning my own business and being my own boss. Growing up in Centerville, I watched my parents own and operate several local businesses – from Raymonds in the late 90s to the Iowa Media Network today – and was taught the importance of giving back to and being an active participant in my community.
As a kid, I participated in various youth sports, was a member of the Dandy Doers 4H club in Appanoose County, was an active participant in the speech and drama clubs in high school, and was eventually student body president at Centerville High School. I graduated from CHS in 2014 and went on to study Journalism as well as Sport and Recreation Management at the University of Iowa. While at Iowa I worked in the athletic communications office and was a traveling member of the support staff for several teams, including men’s tennis and softball.
After graduating from Iowa in December 2017, I returned to Centerville for a few years. During that time I traveled with USA Baseball as a communications intern and worked in Centerville for the Iowa Media Network in the fledgling days of the GoHillsTV network.
I moved to Denver, CO in 2021. I loved living in Denver and having a view of snow covered mountains on my drive to work every morning. I did not backpack or snowboard, but I did enjoy driving up to the mountains and spending time there with friends and my dog, Buster.
While in Colorado, I became a member of the Junior League of Denver and volunteered in the greater metro area several hours a month. I chose JLD because it focuses its efforts on women and children in need. As a result, I spent most of my time volunteering at places like the Florence Crittenton High School – a school for teenage mothers and their children – and Newborns in Need where bags of much needed newborn goods are packaged and delivered to every baby born at Denver Health Medical Center and Hospital. According to its website, Denver Health delivers more than 4,200 babies every year, which accounts for about one-third of all Denver babies. Every single baby receives one of the bags packaged by countless volunteers.
Outside of work and volunteering I love to travel. My friends and I enjoy taking trips together – from Portland, OR to Dublin, Ireland – we’ve seen it all, including two trips to the Eras Tour in 2023 and 2024. I’ve been to 28 states and five countries. My current favorite place in the world is Edinburgh, Scotland with Boston, MA a close second. I hope to continue crossing new places off my list throughout my life.
What excited you most about stepping into a business that already has such a strong community following?
The most exciting facet of taking over Tangleberries is how much the entire community wants it to succeed. I have been inundated with local residents stopping in or catching me around town to let me know how much they support the continuation of a longstanding local business. One of the best aspects of owning a business in Centerville is that so many community members understand the value of small businesses. Without them, this community could not thrive.
Over the next few months, what are some things customers can expect to see from you at Tangleberries
I have a lot of big ideas for the future of the business – from the look and feel of the space to the menu and beyond. Presently, I am working on a spring and summer menu that I hope to roll out at the beginning of April. Beyond that, everyone will just have to stop by and see what we have going on!
What do you hope people feel when they walk through the doors of Tangleberries under your ownership?
I hope people feel welcomed and relaxed. I want Tangleberries to be a space where everyone is comfortable and knows they are welcome regardless of background or beliefs. Unless they’re a Cyclone – then I might judge them. Go Hawks!
What’s one thing you’re most excited to learn as a new business owner?
For me, the exciting part of owning a business is interacting with customers and learning their regular orders. I love when people come in and I can not only greet them by name but know what they came in to get.
What does it mean to you to be part of the next chapter of a locally loved business?
I think a great thing about Tangleberries is that it helps the community thrive in several ways. It doesn’t just bring in locals for coffee and lunch; it also draws in out-of-town guests with the suites upstairs. On top of that, it’s a space where people can host meetings and events. Robin hit the mark when she designed and opened the space nearly 20 years ago and it’s important to me to continue the tradition of keeping it a community centered space in the years to come.
Looking ahead a year from now, what would success for you and Tangleberries look like?
Success looks like expanding the business into an even more thriving and popular spot for everyone to enjoy. With the rise in social media has come the so-called “death of the third space.” Many people don’t have a place where they can simply hang out anymore. My goal is to create an atmosphere at Tangleberries where the idea of the third space can flourish. I’ll be thrilled if that vision has come to life a year from now.
We’re excited to see what’s ahead for both Hope and Sydney as they continue to shape what small business looks like in Appanoose County. Their stories are a reminder that while things may change, the willingness to invest in this community(and in each other) hasn’t gone anywhere.
This is exactly why we’re telling these stories, and it’s just the beginning. Keep an eye out for more Behind the Business features in the coming months, and if there’s someone you think we should highlight next, we’d love to hear from you!
— Delaney
Stay up to date events hosted by Tangleberries & other businesses in Appanoose County by checking out our Event Calendar!
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