We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful James Grevious. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with James below.

Hi James, thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

Our journey has been anything but a straight path. In 2015, following a military assignment from South Korea and a deep desire to reconnect with my children, we began Rebels In The Garden as a modest yet meaningful project in our Montbello, backyard. With five young kids in total, we began a small garden, where weekends were not only for growing food but for bonding and learning life’s lessons.

Fast forward to 2020, and the kids who once tended to that small garden had grown into young men, and my daughter had become a vibrant 9-year-old. The garden had flourished, and we wanted to begin selling our produce so the kids can begin to learn business and customer service skills. We tossed around setting up a small farm stand but after engaging with the community, we quickly realized that a Neighborhood Farmers Market was needed and wanted in our community. As a result “Rebel Marketplace” was born. Since then we have been fulfilling our mission of feeding our community one garden at a time!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I entered this industry with a deep-rooted passion for teaching my children about the importance of food cultivation. It all started as a personal endeavor, tending to a small garden in my Montbello, Colorado backyard back in 2015. However, as I delved deeper into urban agriculture, my mission evolved. I recognized the pressing issue of food insecurity in our community and felt compelled to make a difference.

As an urban farmer and a community farmers market operator, my primary aim is to create a space where our community can access healthy, locally-grown food. We’re not just about providing produce; we’re about fostering a sense of community and delivering value to our neighbors. Our journey from a small backyard garden to Rebel Marketplace is a testament to what can be achieved when a heartfelt mission meets hard work and community involvement. I’m most proud of the positive impact we’ve had on addressing food insecurity in our area. What I want potential clients, followers, and fans to know about us is that we are driven by a commitment to building a healthier, stronger community through urban agriculture. Our work isn’t just about growing food; it’s about building connections and providing solutions to real-world problems.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

The lesson I had to unlearn was the belief that I could single-handedly tackle every challenge. The pivotal moment that reshaped my perspective on this came when I realized the incredible force that community power carries. It was a turning point in our journey. By humbly reaching out for assistance and inviting others to be a part of our vision, we unlocked a powerful momentum within our community, propelling us in the right direction. It became clear that the collective strength of a community can achieve far more than any individual effort, reinforcing the notion that collaboration and unity are key drivers of meaningful progress.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

We do our best to maintain a strong connection with our community and nurturing brand loyalty is at the core of our strategy. To keep our audience engaged and informed we utilize various channels, primarily social media and our newsletter. Through these platforms, we not only provide regular updates on the progress of our farm and market but also share valuable educational content and information tailored to urban farming and our food system efforts. This two-way communication not only keeps our clients informed but also empowers them with knowledge, fostering a deeper sense of connection and trust in our brand. Our commitment to transparency and continuous education is what sets us apart and solidifies our position as a trusted resource in our community.

Contact Info:

• Website: rebelmarketplace.com
• Instagram: @rebel_marketplace