Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kathy Martin, owner of Hillbilly Hollow LLC., located in Eagle River, WI, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Hillbilly Hollow LLC started as a farmstead goat dairy and artisan bakery selling our products at local farmer's markets. In 2019 we purchased and opened a retail location in Eagle River, WI, which features our products, local producers, artisans, and a full kitchen that offers a scratch-made eclectic menu featuring local products whenever possible. Our customer base is mostly local, and the community has really been supportive of our store. We are in a small community that is mostly tourist-based, so there are seasonal swings, and the locals keep us in business.

Tell us about yourself

First of all, I love what I do; otherwise, I couldn't do all the long days without wanting to quit. Our business was started when we got a couple of goats to feed our kids as we were broke. My kids grew so did the herd of goats, as I needed to produce more milk and cheese to feed my kids. I found the need to make my milking area cleaner, so we built a milk house and parlor that were up to code to make things easier. Then things changed, and all my kids left home in a few short months. I was still producing enough dairy products to feed a small army, so a decision had to be made whether we shut it all down or we get licensed and build a cheese plant. Off to dance in Madison, we go. We tracked down several wonderful inspectors who looked at us like we were crazy, saying, you want to do what. I am sure that they thought they were wasting their time but gave us all the information we needed to build a cheese plant, so we went and started making our plant back home. It took us a year to finish. When I called for an inspection to do the licensing, they sent in 3 different inspectors as I am sure they thought this self-built plant would be terrible. Boy, they were surprised when they walked in; the inspection was done and passed very quickly, and all licenses were issued that day. Although I have completed the cheesemakers short courses through UW River Falls and UW Madison to earn my license, I am a self-taught cheesemaker.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Staying in business...My grandma used to tell me that the only constant in life changes, and boy was she right. The past few years have proven to be really challenging with the loss of a spouse, kids returning to help in a family business, covid, struggling economy, the list goes on and on. The fact that we are still here is truly amazing to me.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Time-as a business owner, time is at a premium, especially for me as I have the farm and dairy plant as well as a store to run; there is always more work than time in a day to get it done.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

Find something you love to do as it is going to be a lot of work and sacrifice, so you better love it; I don't think you are going to be an overnight success; I spent eight years building a customer base at a farmers market before moving into a retail location. Be prepared for constant change; you have to be flexible to stay relevant in today's ever-changing world.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.orderhillbillyhollow.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HillbillyHollowBodega/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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