Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Tom (Happy) Hampton, Owner of Hampton Acres, located in Pelzer, SC, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are makers of Caviar of the South pimento cheese and other condiments. Such as pickles, chow chow, salsa, and bbq sauces. We supply our products to local farm stores, and a few items are in a few grocery stores.
Tell us about yourself
I was injured on the job and was going crazy with nothing to do, so my wife Kristi started out our selling beef; one day, I wanted some homemade pimento cheese and couldn't get anyone to make it. So I retrieved my mother's recipe book and made her pimento cheese recipe with a little advice from Mrs. Gray, who is a great friend; the pimento cheese was great. So we said, let's sell it also, from there we started adding the jar goods, and with the help of my wife, the business started growing to where we are today. Our motivation comes from our customers, who are the best; for example, if a store is out of a product, we usually will have a customer call and tell them they are out, and we can restock it.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
It all is a big accomplishment, from carrying on Hampton Acres from my mother's beginnings going back to 1971. And providing top-quality products to our neighbors and community.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
You are never finished working; there's always something to do, from paperwork to make sure you have all your supplies and products to keep everything working and flowing together.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
First, make sure it's something you love to do! Second, always plan three steps ahead of where you think you should be, which, most of the time, reveals some are the problems and challenges that come with the business. And always be humble and gracious to everyone in your daily life. And we always give God credit for our success!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://hamptonacres.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hamptongoodness
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hampton_acres/
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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