Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Rob & Hannah Squier, owners of Rocky Ridge Farm, located in Kingsley, PA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Rocky Ridge Farm produces high-quality, pasture-based meats delivered to your door. We raise 100% grassfed beef, pastured pork, and pastured chicken on our family farm in Northeast PA. We’re pursuing a simpler lifestyle that prioritizes faith, family and community. We’re fighting for ethical land and animal stewardship, restoration of local food integrity, and healthy alternatives to the modern industrialized food chain.
Tell us about yourself
We left Rob's 12-year career as an Infantry Officer in the US Army to provide a stable base of operations to raise our family. Our farm motto is "Mission First, Meat Always." This means that selling meat is secondary to our primary objective, which is to promote stronger families through healthy eating and living practices. We believe in the power of high-quality food to heal our bodies and also our relationships as we gather together around a table to enjoy family and friends.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
We're very proud of the website and digital infrastructure that we've created to support our fledgling farm business. There are so many resources available for ecommerce businesses it can take some time to figure out what works best for your business. We are working hard to create a brand that stands out from other producers in this space.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Patience. We always want to move faster than we're ready to handle. In this business, it's a delicate balance to manage production, inventory management, and marketing. Those three have to stay in balance for the business to grow, if one outpaces the others, it can quickly fall apart. It takes patience to keep all three pillars moving at the same pace.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
1. Work on your marketing first: If you can't move your product or let anyone know about it, you're dead on arrival. Start learning how to build an online customer base and how to engage with your ideal customer.
2. Network when possible: Relationships that we've established with other farmers have helped us tremendously when we needed to meet a customer's need.
3. Clarify your story. Niche markets run off of stories. Spend a lot of time working on communicating your passions and why your mission makes a difference. People want to know and identify with you, not just your product.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://rocky-ridgefarm.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RockyRidgeFarm570
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rocky_ridgefarm/
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.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.
