We were lucky to catch up with Tracy Darr recently and have shared our conversation below.
Tracy, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you recount a story of an unexpected problem you’ve faced along the way?
The most unexpected problem we faced in our business was 9/11. We had a thriving Produce stand and Garden Center. We sold flowers, trees, shrubs, and numerous landscaping materials. We had 10 employees with numerous clients for our landscape and lawn care part of our business. After 9/11. We literally crashed. We lost landscape contracts, our garden center suffered due to all of our suppliers closing their shops. We eventually scaled down to just selling Produce and seasonal flowers. We struggled to keep the business afloat. We decided to reinvent ourselves and started baking sweet breads , pies, cookies Etc….
We have worked really hard and built a thriving Bakery business.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My husband and I met in 1995 at the Asheville Farmers Market in North Carolina. He had a Garden Center and decided to sell Produce also. We met when he Began to buy peaches from me. We got married ama combined our business and Stanleys Produce and pGarden Center was born. After the 9/11 tragedy we reinvented ourselves and became Stanleys Produce and Bakery.
We have worked really hard to make the very best Bakery goods anywhere!
We only use the very best ingredients and items we can buy to be the very best! We are now week know for providing the very best Pimento cheese any where! We have 12 different varieties and travel the south eastern states to Vintage market days shoes selling them along work our Bakery items.
How’d you meet your business partner?
My husband and I met in 1995 at the Asheville Farmers Market in North Carolina. He had a Garden Center and decided to sell Produce also. We met when he Began to buy peaches from me. We got married and combined our business. Stanleys Produce and Garden Center was born.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
Five years ago we began to attend Vintage Market Days shows. Our first was VMD site was in Asheville North Carolina owned by Scott Money and Earl Fields. These markets are held all over the United States. We knew this would be a great avenue to get our products out and promote our business. We have been blessed to cover most of the South east and are extending to the Nort East. We are currently selling our products in 9 states through Vintage Market Days.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Stanleysproduce
- Facebook: Www.facebook.com./stanleysproduce