ICA delivers results. When we are able to guide entrepreneurs to the resources they need, we see the impact in Good Jobs – even if it takes time for everything to come together. No one knows this better than Mark at Prather Ranch Meat Company.

Prather Ranch works with independent ranches and farms to provide high-quality, sustainably raised meats through a whole-animal sales model. Developing internal leadership is one of Mark’s top priorities, promoting and investing in his team to “take B players and make them A players.

Prather Ranch was the first company to be supported by our partner, Fund Good Jobs. In this capacity, it has been instrumental in our learning about the ways the capital affects job creation, the technical assistance that entrepreneurs need after they receive capital, and the long runway to good job creation. Like any small business, their path forward has not always been smooth. However, through a great deal of organizational growth and change, Mark has remained committed to creating good jobs.

Today, he is beginning to create those jobs in a way that is fair to employees and sustainable for the business overall. His deliberate efforts to improve job quality include moving part time positions to full time, improving Human Resources systems, providing coaching and employee development, and working toward health benefits for all. Mark’s attitude toward his company and his employees embodies everything ICA stands for: “For us, it’s clear: it’s all about the people.”