Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Hayley + Stephanie Painter. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hayley + Stephanie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

We have always dreamed of bringing light to our family’s 4th generation farm. During our college years, we recognized the disconnect between people and their food, which motivated us to return to the farm with a mission; connecting people with the source of their food.

So, we set out to create a value-added dairy product, emphasizing how it can be both good for people and the environment. Additionally, identifying a product that could scale to preserve our farm and other family farms. After experimenting with various product ideas, we identified a gap in the yogurt market and decided to create Painterland Sisters organic skyr yogurt. When you hold a cup of Painterland Sisters organic skyr yogurt, you hold our dream in your hand.

Each year, thousands of family farms across the country go out of business. We saw a need in our community and our own farm to become a voice for farmers to inspire the next generation and sustain family farms for generations to come. Our mission is to create a sustainable product from our family farm and like-minded farms so that we may be able to create a stable market for our farmers while providing a nutrient-dense product in a food system where that can be scarce.

Our organic Skyr Yogurt is one of the most nutrient-dense yogurts on the market. It contains billions of probiotics, is high in protein and calcium, lactose-free, lower in real organic cane sugar and is made using whole milk. Additionally, the yogurt itself is unique in its taste and texture because of the way we maintain the integrity of our milk throughout our filtration process.

Ultimately, we use this product as a vehicle to educate people on the importance of organic regenerative agriculture, family farms, and sustainable farming.

Hayley + Stephanie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

We are Stephanie and Hayley Painter, two sisters who have dreamed of bringing light to our family’s 4th generation organic regenerative dairy farm in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania. Driven by a shared dream, we embarked on a mission to not only sustain our family’s legacy but also to broaden our impact by introducing wholesome dairy products to a national audience. Over the course of four years, we dedicated ourselves to the meticulous art of crafting a product that could be a vehicle for sharing dairy with the world. Through collaboration with seasoned advisors and gaining insights from industry experts, we strategically chose Icelandic-style yogurt—a proven niche in the market.

We offer healthy, honest, and sustainable organic products that connect consumers to the direct source of their food: the American farmer. We’re 100% committed to organic regenerative farming practices that are good for you and the planet, using milk from our family’s farm and other neighboring like-minded farms for our yogurt.

We strive to protect organic farming, increase awareness, expand new opportunities, and educate on its importance. From all-natural fertilizers for the soil to cows that graze freely on open rotational pastures, we intentionally think about and share the importance of every organic farming action and its impact on food, the environment, the animals, and the communities, ultimately contributing to a healthier Mother Earth.

We hold the firm belief that each cup of our skyr presents a valuable opportunity for dialogue about dairy. In the year 2023 alone, Painterland Sisters produced 2.5 million cups of yogurt. This translates to 2.5 million occasions where our product got directly into the hands of consumers, initiating discussions on the significance of organic farming, the presence of real organic nutrients in food, and the importance of knowing the origins of one’s organic sustenance.

Today, we take immense pride in the fact that our yogurt graces the shelves of over 2,000 stores across 49 states nationwide. This widespread availability signifies our commitment to fostering conversations about the essential aspects of organic farming, ensuring that more individuals have access to wholesome and nutritious dairy options while understanding the source of their organic food.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

We believe that consumers value us as a young, women-owned, family-owned, and farmer-owned brand that works hard to bring them a high-quality, nutrient-rich organic product made through our sustainable regenerative practices.

Beyond that, we actively share our story online and create community wherever we go. From the visual appeal of our labels to our engaging social media content, we aim to cultivate a community of people who support more than just our yogurt but rather our entire mission. We continuously support community events through our team and our various community outreach partners to reach consumers both locally and beyond.

Ultimately, we’re creating an engaged and empowered community around sustainable agriculture and its positive impacts on our health and Mother Earth for generations to come.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Every day as an entrepreneur requires the flexibility to adapt and embrace change. It involves being open-minded and willing to explore new opportunities that may arise unexpectedly. It also entails having trust in your team, staying committed to your mission, and surrounding yourself with reliable individuals. This is the essence of entrepreneurship.

We initially planned to operate a small farmstand using our family’s milk. However, after a year and a half of developing our own manufacturing facility to potentially sell to the state of Pennsylvania, we reassessed our goals. Recognizing the need to sell a larger quantity of yogurt, we decided to pivot our business model. We shifted our focus and started working with a cool manufacturer in our home state of Pennsylvania, and now sell in 49 states. From farmstand dreams to nationwide success, our story teaches us to embrace change and always keep our minds open.

Contact Info:

• Website: painterlandsisters.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/painterlandsisters/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/painterlandsisters
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/painterland-sisters

Image Credits
1. Tracy Parker Photography (all except product photo) 2. Harbinger (only the product photo)