Ellington

Supercell started as a way for owner Lance Philyaw to make some money while in graduate school. Now the company has become one of Jackson's top buyers of used electronics.

From iPods and laptops to Android phones and iPhones, Supercell buys, repairs, refurbishes and sells a wide range of electronics. Philyaw, who will graduate from Mississippi College in August with a master's degree in biomedical sciences, said he has met thousands of customers online and face-to-face since starting Supercell about a year and half ago.

Originally operating Supercell from his home near Belhaven, Philyaw recently moved the company into the NWN Studios building at 916 Foley St., home of WLEZ 100.9 FM. Customers don't need to drive to Foley Street to get their electronics to Supercell for repair or sale, though.

Supercell also offers free mail-in service and area pickup, by appointment. Customers can connect to Supercell via the company's website at supercellmobile.com. For mail service, Supercell will send a USPS flat-rate box complete with everything they need. Customers within 100 miles of Jackson can set up an appointment for front-door pickup.

Supercell won't buy a phone they can't sell, though. The company's main focus is smartphones.

"If someone has a Motorola RAZR, or something from the '90s, then no, we're not going to drive out for that," Philyaw said. "We're probably not even going to send a box for it, because that's like $10 for a $5 phone."

While local customers can buy electronics from Supercell, Philyaw said he is more interested in buying electronics locally for resale.

"We're going to have phones for sale, but I really need some more phones to sell nationally and internationally," Philyaw said. "I'm able to get a lot more (for the phones that way) than locally."

Supercell strives to be a green company, Philyaw said. For every phone the company buys, Supercell will make a donation to the Mississippi Urban Forest Council. The company also collects used batteries and cell phones with no value to properly dispose of them.

Getting 'Red Carpet Ready'

Thokozile Moyo has been a hairstylist for 14 years. Earlier this month, she finally realized her dream when she opened her own salon, Red Carpet Ready, at 4312 N. State St.

"I was just a little nervous to do things on my own," Moyo said. "I got to a point where I'd been praying about it and just stepped out on faith. I knew with my clientele level and my experience of seeing what I've seen (working) in different shops, what it took to have my own spot."

The salon held its grand opening June 16. Moyo said it was a warm welcome, as about 75 people joined her at the celebration.

"We just did a little tent outside and had food," Moyo said. "I had a few of my clients model some hairstyles."

Red Carpet Ready Salon is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. For information call 601-812-5767 or 601-906-2590.

Pepper Lyn's Gifts and More

Designing hand-made crafts used to be just a hobby for Keneatha Fox, who works full time for the city of Jackson. Now, it's a money-making endeavor.

The week before Thanksgiving, 2011, Fox opened Pepper Lyn's Gifts and More at 4312 N. State St. There, she sells gift baskets, diaper cakes, Avon products, handbags and earrings.

"Sometimes we do blankets and special order requests (also)," Fox said.

Fox said her one employee has been sick, so store hours have been cut the last two weeks. Once she is well again, Pepper Lyn's Gifts and More will return to regular store hours: Monday through Friday 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. and some Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The store also offers children's parties by appointment, where they teach kids to design their own tote bags. Parties start at $105 for five children, and $8 for each additional child, up to a total of 10 children.