Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Nicholas Gipson, Owner of Down Home Mushrooms, located in Saucier, MS, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are a small gourmet mushroom farm. We grow mushrooms like Oyster Mushrooms, Lion's Mane Mushrooms, Chestnut Mushrooms, and many more. Our customers have grown from the people who are only looking for the benefits of eating gourmets, like Lion's mane, into the wide customer base we have now. The mushrooms we bring to market are now enjoyed by vegetarians, chefs, mushroom lovers, and a wide variety of frequent farmers market guests!
Tell us about yourself
Our journey started with a single recipe! I worked in kitchens for almost 15 years. I was looking for some fresh oyster mushrooms to make a simple soup recipe and couldn't find them anywhere on the coast. I ordered a mushroom grow kit and then moved to learn the process from start to finish. I began growing mushrooms for friends and family and then farmers markets!
Our first market was almost two years ago, and now we are at five farmers markets throughout the week! The response from the community was amazing! The mushroom farm is a lot of work! But I can now drive my kids to and from school most days and spend a lot of time with my family, which I couldn't do before. All while still being able to help support our family!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
To us, our biggest accomplishment would be building a business that allows us to spend more time with our family and being able to support that family! The amazing response from our community is one of the most satisfying things. We hear from customers thanking us for doing what we do on an almost daily basis!
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
One thing about being a business owner is realizing you cannot know everything! There will be things that come up, and you will not have the answer or even know where to get it. Remember, you can only control what you can control. Let the rest go!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- You do not have to do everything at once. Grow your business at your speed and perfect each step before moving on to the next!
- Make sure you are building a business you are passionate about. It makes the third tip so much easier.
- Never give up! Sometimes things are not going to go the way you hoped or happen as fast as you would like. Keep your vision in mind and push through!!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.downhomemushroomsllc.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DownHomeMushrooms
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/downhomemushrooms/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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