Meet Deborah Hicks Midanek Bailey

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Deborah Hicks Midanek Bailey. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Deborah, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

I didn’t so much find my purpose as build it. From an early age I learned that courage alone was not enough to get through 13 elementary schools, for example. Survival was not enough, I needed to learn HOW to survive with top grades to give me a shot to freedom and self determination. Planning and process make courage effective. Over time that became my practice:—analyze position, widen possible options, make choices, and develop a path so others can follow.

When I moved to Grenada, Mississippi, I used the same operating system to revive downtown: buy what’s broken, design the path, and keep cadence until it works. I’ve renovated 22 buildings, started and run First & Green and Molly’s Place, and advise boards and owners in special situations. The through-line is simple: determine the goal, secure the cash, analyze the alternatives, lay out the path, keep cadence. My purpose lies in helping people, places, and organizations gain confidence and realize possibility—quietly, pragmatically, and for the long run.

We all want to make a difference in the lives of those around us. The only question is how.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I wear two hats that fit together: corporate turnaround specialist and community revitalizer. For decades I’ve worked in boardrooms and crises, untangling complex situations and helping companies move forward. When I came to Grenada, Mississippi, I brought that same skill set to our downtown ghost town— buying and restoring 23 derelict buildings, creating gathering places like Molly’s Place restaurant and First & Green event venue, and sparking a wave of investment that has brought our Square back to life.
What excites me most is seeing how people transform when people believe in themselves. It’s not just about bricks and mortar — it’s about creating spaces where people connect, celebrate, and grow confidence in their community.
Right now, we’re continuing to grow that story. Molly’s Place is buzzing with new weekly specials, live music, and themed events, while First & Green is hosting weddings, corporate events, and community gatherings that bring people together in fresh ways. We’re also developing the Green Street Collective — a block-long cluster of retail, hospitality, and event spaces that shows what small-town downtowns can become when vision and persistence meet.
At heart, my brand is about resilience and renewal — whether in a company boardroom or a Mississippi town square. It’s the same mission: turning challenge into forward motion.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

For me, three qualities have mattered most across both corporate boardrooms and small-town revitalization.

First, courage to step into complexity. Whether it’s a failing company or a block of abandoned buildings, the willingness to walk into the mess — and stay there long enough to sort it out — is essential. You don’t need every answer at the start, but you do need the nerve to begin.

Second, clarity in communication. In crisis, people feel fear. If you can listen deeply, distill the issues, and explain the path forward in plain language, you create alignment. That skill has carried me from negotiating with Wall Street creditors to rallying local tenants and neighbors.

Third, persistence with imagination. You have to keep showing up, even when progress is slow, but also keep imagining what could be. Persistence without imagination is drudgery; imagination without persistence is fantasy. The magic is in the combination.

For anyone early in their journey: practice leaning into challenges that scare you a little, work constantly on how you communicate, and don’t underestimate the power of just showing up again and again. These are skills you build by doing, not by waiting until you feel ready.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?

My biggest challenge right now is the same one I’ve faced in boardrooms for decades: how to balance resilience, discipline, and vision when resources are stretched. In Grenada, Mississippi, I’ve restored 22 downtown buildings and created two hospitality anchors, Molly’s Place and First & Green. These projects sparked a downtown renaissance, but like any business, they face pressures — rising costs, shifting demand, and the need to balance today’s operations with tomorrow’s growth.
I approach it the way I always have: with systems, persistence, and clarity. We’re streamlining menus, tightening financial controls, and aligning our event business with long-term debt reduction. It’s the same turnaround craft I once used in corporate crises, now applied to a community I love.
If I only had a decade of life left, I would keep doing this work — finishing the arc of renewal, securing the future of these buildings and businesses, and making sure the downtown thrives long after me. And then, I would celebrate: in 2027, my husband and I are booked on a world cruise. For me, that voyage is more than travel — it’s a symbol that the vision held, the debt is gone, and the legacy is secure.

Contact Info:

• Website: FirstandGreenGrenada.com MollysPlaceGrenada.com SolonGroup.com
• Facebook: Deborah Hicks Midanek Bailey; First & Green Event Venue; Molly’s Place; Grenada Downtown District

Image Credits

Deborah Hicks Midanek Bailey