Would You like a feature Interview?
All Interviews are 100% FREE of Charge
The opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
Fall Creek Farmers Market Located in Humble, Texas, this place is more than just a place to stop for your Sunday morning coffee and a fresh vegetable or two. Owners Jonathan and Andrea Haskin created this vibrant business with a vision to change the food shopping habits of their community and educate customers on the importance of buying fresh, locally sourced products. We built a space.
The couple came up with the idea for the market in 2015. That’s when they start thinking about what kind of food is available to them in the long term, and whether they have to travel far just to source high-quality ingredients from local farmers. I noticed that. What happens if they bring the community closer to the source?
Related: Top Health and Wellness Franchises
Happily, the Haskins’ neighbors have embraced the concept. Located in the beautiful Fall Creek neighborhood, this market’s outdoor facility is near a golf course and several walking trails, drawing crowds of people and their pets every Sunday morning.
Jonathan and Andrea prioritize being in their own space. Provide a personalized experience To all visitors. Getting ready two hours before the market opens, he stays until the last group trickles out, and the two walk around greeting customers and sharing their stories. In the early days of the market, girls would sit at the entrance and make bracelets for shoppers as they entered.
This community atmosphere attracted reviewers. forest b., now a regular at the Fall Creek Farmers Market. “The vendors were all very personable and willing to share advice and specifics,” his review says. “I especially enjoyed the cultural diversity. There was so much to learn at each booth.”
The Fall Creek Farmers Market features more than 20 vendors with cuisines from around the world, and there’s no limit to the types of food you can sample. On his first solo visit, Forrest tried a Colombian coffee blend, two empanada flavors, a Vietnamese egg roll, and an Italian iced dessert. The best part was being able to engage with the vendors themselves and learn first-hand about their products and initiatives.
Related: 4 Reasons to Join the Health & Wellness Industry
“One [vendor] “They’re a little older,” Forrest said of the Indian couple serving the prepared food there, not mentioned in my review. This is completely different from, for example, the couple who own the Italian ice sales company Frostbite. they are young people [are] In fact, we hope you can provide us with information about your travels here in the United States. So you can learn quite a bit about people. People are sometimes a little surprised to find out how much you know about topics in your field, but you can learn a lot by talking to people and being open and receptive. ”
Forrest’s experience is a perfect example of Jonathan and Andrea. education ecosystem Active. First and foremost, this market aims to teach visitors the importance of fresh, high-quality food. Haskins strives to ensure that our vendors share this passion and educate every customer who visits our booth. Ninety percent of his Fall Creek vendors farm and ranch full time. Some take agriculture classes at Texas A&M.
“They live life just like the rest of us,” Jonathan says. “And it starts from within. We’re very passionate about immersing ourselves in the market, and we’re very selective about who we let in.” [to be] part of our team. ”
Jonathan and Andrea’s goal was to be the tipping point that propelled their customers into the world of local food shopping, and they realized that preparation was key.They are engage with customers Go online before each sale to make sure you have all the information you need for a smooth visit. To inspire shoppers and keep seasonal produce front and center, products change weekly, so Jonathan and Andrea can help customers plan meals and create grocery lists before they arrive at the market. We provide a list of vendors and produce options in advance. .
Related: How this health food app landed a $200,000 investment
Our most loyal customers do approximately 80% of their food shopping at Falls Creek Farmers Market. This was the vision the owners had in mind when they set out to build their business.
“This is not a craft show. This is not a bake sale. You can actually come and get pasture-raised eggs and real products,” Jonathan said. “Knowing where your food comes from is so important. It’s like having a root canal or heart surgery. So we can provide what we’re offering and help them… We’re really happy to be able to provide access to this.”
Shopping locally is not only good for your health, but it’s also good for your local economy. Forrest emphasized the importance of investing money and time in small businesses.
“Business owners usually come from other countries. [They] They come from backgrounds where there was virtually no safety net, so they bring that knowledge to the United States. As I look at these businesses, I think about how I can learn more and help others in the community continue to launch these small businesses that power our economy. It is. ”
In addition to visits, reviews are a powerful way for customers to show their support. Jonathan and Andrea take to heart every review they receive and are constantly striving to expand the offerings and inclusivity of their space.They think it’s important that Stay open to feedbackkeep customer interactions open, honest, and loving.
In addition to prioritizing customer education and community building, Falls Creek Farmers Market believes in:
- Passion starts from within. When you put love and care into what you do, it trickles down to your partners, employees, and ultimately your customers.
- Preparation is key. Communicate with your customers online before the sale and let them know what to expect. Additionally, give yourself time to address any issues that arise.
- Supporting local is a great way to learn new things. Opening your heart and mind to small businesses may help you discover important lifestyle changes.
To hear directly from Jonathan, Andrea, and Forrest, listen to the episode below and subscribe. behind the review See more from new business owners and reviewers every Thursday.
Available on: spotify, apple podcast, Google Podcasts, pandora and sound cloud.
Editorial contributions by Callie Morgan and Kristi Lindahl.