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

Julia, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.

We are a CBD company that formulates our products from the hemp that we grow on our farm. We voluntarily test all of our products regularly for quality control and compliance. We focus on educating our clients on the best application for our products and the most appropriate route of administration for their individual needs. Being the farmers that cultivate the crop as well as the product developers and formulators, we have the unique capability to reassure our clients that they are receiving the highest quality and most reliable CBD on the market. As we are a small family farm that also produces bouquet flowers and is open for public events, we offer our customers, not only a product, but an experience. This holistic approach draws customers into our community, creating a sense of familiarity and brand loyalty.

Julia, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My husband and I started Blackberry Ridge Farm in 2018 after he got out of active duty military service. We moved back to our hometown to build a home and start our business on farm land that has been in my family for over 100 years. We were drawn to the health and wellness aspect of the hemp industry as we believe CBD has the potential to improve the quality of life for users without the negative side effects associated with prescription drugs. As a complement to the CBD side of our business, we grow cut flowers for bouquets. Flowers bring instant joy and when purchased locally, last much longer than internationally sourced blooms and are more environmentally sustainable. To increase the depth of our business model, we added a layer of agritourism. Our surrounding local community is largely suburban populated. By adding a cut-your-own flower field and hosting various events on our farm, we have been able to share the beauty of our land with our neighbors, a circle that is continuously expanding as we grow. We are also able to maintain the agrarian legacy that was once most prominent in our region. I am extremely proud that we have developed a brand that is known for its reliable quality, authenticity, and holistic elements. These values are the core of our business and form the essence of what differentiates our company from others in the industry.

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

During COVID, many retailers were struggling to stay open as much of the public preferred to avoid tight indoor spaces. To adjust to the preference of of customers, we initiated outdoor events with a local vendor market to create a lower risk shopping experience in addition to highlighting many other small businesses. Not only did this enable us to keep our business open, but created an environment for networking and community building.

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

We are very active on social media, often showing “behind the scenes” footage of farm work and upcoming product development. We offer a monthly newsletter to which our customers can subscribe and receive a promotional discount on all future CBD orders. Additionally, we create farm merchandise, ranging from t-shirts and sweatshirts, to hats and stickers, that we modify seasonally to maintain interest and sales.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.blackberryridgefarmnc.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackberry.ridge.farm/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackberryridgefarmnc/

Image Credits
Katee Buree