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

Alright, Jacob thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

At Harris Trading Company, our mission is rooted in service, hard work, and community. It all started with J.D. Harris, my grandfather, who founded Harris Mechanics over 74 years ago. He was an incredible mechanic with a passion for fixing things and helping others. Back then, it wasn’t about selling equipment—it was about solving problems and making sure people had what they needed to get their work done.

Over the years, the business grew, and we transitioned from Harris Mechanics to Harris Trading Company. While the name and focus shifted, our commitment to the community never changed. Today, we’ve expanded to become an Equipment and Attachments Superstore, but at our core, we’re still driven by that same mission: to support farmers, property owners, and small business owners with reliable tools and solutions.

This mission means a lot to me because it’s personal. Our family has poured generations of work into this company, and we’ve seen how the right equipment can make a huge difference in someone’s life. Whether it’s helping a farmer prepare their land or giving a business owner the tools they need to grow, we’re proud to play a part in their success.

We’re also really selective about what we offer. We prioritize U.S.-made items, provide free delivery within 50 miles, and treat every customer like family. Those aren’t just business decisions—they’re values that have been passed down from my grandfather and continue to guide us today.

At the end of the day, it’s not just about running a business. It’s about carrying on J.D. Harris’s legacy and making sure we’re supporting the people who keep this community going.

Jacob, 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?

I’m Jacob Harris, and I’m proud to say that Harris Trading Company is more than just a store—it’s a family business with deep roots in Lebanon, TN. I grew up here, surrounded by the values of hard work, dedication, and service to the community. Being a father, husband, and son myself, I see this business as an extension of those values.

At Harris Trading Company, we specialize in outdoor equipment, attachments, and rentals for farmers, property owners, and small businesses. But what really sets us apart is how we approach what we do. It’s not just about selling equipment—it’s about building trust and solving problems for our customers. We’re here to make sure they leave with tools they can count on, whether they’re tackling a big project or just maintaining their property.

One thing I think makes us stand out is the level of care we put into everything. We’re open seven days a week because we want to be there when our customers need us. We prioritize U.S.-made products and carry top brands like Yanmar and Gravely because quality matters to us. And when you buy something from us, we’ll make sure it’s loaded up and ready to go—because that personal touch is part of who we are.

What I’m most proud of is the impact we’ve had on our community. Seeing our equipment in action—whether it’s on a farm, a construction site, or someone’s backyard—is incredibly rewarding. It’s proof that what we do here matters, and it motivates me to keep improving and growing this business for the next generation.

For anyone who’s just hearing about us, I want them to know that Harris Trading Company is more than a place to buy equipment. It’s a place where you’re treated like family, where we take pride in helping you succeed, and where you can count on us for the tools and support you need to get the job done.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

My business partner is actually my dad, Raymond Harris. Working with him is something I consider a privilege because not everyone gets to build a business alongside their father. Growing up, I got to see firsthand the way he handled challenges and opportunities with a calm, determined approach. When the time came to transition Harris Trading Company into what it is today, we both shared the vision of growing the business while staying true to our family values. It’s been a rewarding experience working together to serve our community and carry on the family legacy.

Can you talk to us about manufacturing? How’d you figure it all out? We’d love to hear the story.

Yes, we do manufacture our own products in addition to everything else we offer! It’s something we’re really proud of because it allows us to bring innovative, high-quality attachments to our customers that you won’t find anywhere else.

This wasn’t something we jumped into lightly—it took years of research and travel to get it right. My dad, Raymond, actually travels to China once a year to work directly with our manufacturers. We spent years visiting different factories, meeting with manufacturers, and testing materials to ensure we found the very best. The common perception about products made in China is that they’re cheap, but what we’ve found is that they’re also capable of producing incredibly high-quality products when that’s the goal. By working closely with them, we’ve been able to design and create attachments that solve real-world problems for our customers.

The biggest lesson we’ve learned along the way is that relationships are everything in manufacturing. It’s not just about finding a factory—it’s about finding the right partners who share your vision for quality and innovation. We’ve built strong relationships with manufacturers who not only deliver high-quality products but also bring new ideas to the table that help us better serve our customers.

Manufacturing our own products has been a game-changer for Harris Trading Company. It’s allowed us to expand our offerings and ensure that everything we put our name on meets the standards our customers have come to expect.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.harristradingcompany.com
• Instagram: @harristrading.co

Image Credits

mirariphotography.com
Yanmar USA
Graverly