How the Stars of 'Fixer Upper' Transformed a Town in Texas Entrepreneurs across the country are shaping small cities.

This article is included in Entrepreneur Voices on Growth Hacking, a new book containing insights from more than 20 contributors, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders.

One night a few years ago, Dustin Anderson was having dinner with his wife, and he spotted Chip and Joanna Gaines out with some friends. Anderson felt immediate tension. He owns a Waco, Tex., glass shop called Anderson Glass and had been doing some work with the Gaineses, who owned a construction company. But the Gaineses were past due on paying him -- 30, maybe close to 60 days over.

"There was an elephant in the room," Anderson recalls. "We sat down for dinner, and then after a while, Chip walks over and slides into the booth, puts his arm around me, and says, "Hey, buddy. I know we're behind. Things are rough, but bear with me. I have a solution.' And he just kind of loved on me. When he got up and left, I told my wife, "That's what I want.' Just talk to me. Tell me. Keep me in the loop."