When Eva Stubblefield Maddox was growing up in Viola, the idea of becoming a successful businesswoman, award-winning designer, educator and community activist never entered her mind.But through some unexpected quirks of fate, that’s exactly what happened.Maddox combined her natural drive and creativity with a knack for blending visual and interior design with product design to create an innovative marketing movement called “branding.” This has taken her to the pinnacle of success on a career path that led from the farmlands of rural Tennessee to the spiraling towers of the Windy City.Maddox grew up in Viola, went to school there and then graduated from City High School. She attended the University of Cincinnati on her mother’s advice, since it had a cooperative program and she could work and attend classes.Today, Maddox runs her own company, Perkins+Will—Eva Maddox Branded Environments, based in Chicago.