I paid more for my idea than my house

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Today is the 4th birthday of The Produce Mom.

Just over 4 years ago I leaped for the 1st time – on a Friday afternoon I told 4 men, all old enough to be my father, that I had an idea for my former employer’s marketing department.  I had spent nearly 7 years selling and marketing fresh produce to grocery stores throughout the Midwest, Central & Southern United States.  I was comfortable with my knowledge of the fresh produce supply chain, but I was uncomfortable with my job security – after all, it was a Friday afternoon and I was in a corner office with a consultant, ownership & director-level superiors.

My idea was unleashed because I thought I was getting fired.
And the 4 men gave me a chance.

For 1,325 days we built The Produce Mom together.  I was supported at the highest level by my former employer, a 3rd-generation family-owned produce distributor.  We were able to develop an income stream.  I was empowered and trusted to create digital marketing campaigns for many of the produce department’s best brands.  Brands that I sold to grocery stores for years were now partners in a company-wide branding effort that was based off my idea.


 

Our goal was, and still is today, to increase your household’s consumption of fresh produce.  I, along with The Produce Mom Family, want to take it a step further…

What’s your favorite brand of shoes?
What’s your favorite brand of apples?

It’s sad how many of us answer the 2nd question with a variety – Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, etc.
Varieties are not brands.  High heels are not your favorite brand of shoes.

[bctt tweet=”High Heels are not your favorite brand of shoes. Honeycrisp is not your favorite brand of apples #branding”]

2016 GOAL = Increase Your Brand Awareness in the Produce Department

Expect fact-based blogs & testimonials to help you understand why The Produce Mom Family is a network of the premier brands of the Produce Department.  It’s produce – everyone still in the game today is a good grower of fruits & vegetables.  So when it comes to how you are going to spend your money, I want to make sure you know the insider things… like how specific brands treat their employees, how they give back to the schools in their growing regions, how they lead the industry in sustainable farming practices, the role that specific brands have in keeping this website online & more.  Tomatoes aren’t just tomatoes, everyone.  Join me in 2016 as we get really bold & transparent about produce department brands.

There is no denying that The Produce Mom is a marketing effort.  Name a blog or website that isn’t a marketing effort.  We are all inundated with marketing & advertising.  It’s my goal to make sure my marketing serves you & the fresh produce industry great purpose.

2016 PLEDGE = I will use facts, not fear, to market The Produce Mom’s agenda & passions to you all.

What are The Produce Mom’s passions?

  • At-Home & On-the-Farm Sustainability
  • Selection, Storage & Serving Tips for Fruits & Vegetables
  • Increased Availability & Promotion of Fresh Produce at American Schools
  • The Affordability & Availability of Fresh Produce at Retail

 

So, Happy Birthday to The Produce Mom.  4 years ago today, I hit publish for the 1st time on this WordPress site.

[bctt tweet=”Happy 4th Birthday @TheProduceMom! #FreshProduce Marketing with Purpose” via=”no”]

What makes this year so different – it’s the first year I’ve owned my idea.  The Produce Mom can be passionate about educating you all on topic like food waste reduction & not have to get it approved by an executive board or sponsored by a partner.

I took my 2nd leap on August 31, 2015.  That’s when my husband & I paid more for my idea than our home.  I couldn’t be more proud of the fact that my idea sold for that kind of money.

The brands in The Produce Mom Family are the reason we can continue on.  The only reason they care is because of your readership & engagement.  This is a triangular brand: You + Me + The Produce Mom Family = Sustainability of The Produce Mom.

Happy 2016: It’s authentic, it’s real, and I’ve never in my life been so motivated.  If at any time you have feedback, questions, requests, or simply want to say HI – send me a tweet, comment on the blog, or email me directly at lori@theproducemoms.com  After all, you’re an apex to this effort.

Please stay with us & tell your friends about us.  Know that small things, like sharing or commenting on our blog content, and interacting with our social media postings, make a huge difference.

[bctt tweet=”Meet a mom who paid more for her idea than her house #trep #ag #freshproduce #marketing #momlife”]

Happy 4th Birthday to us,

xoxo Lori Taylor
Owner & Founder, The Produce Mom LLC

About Lori

Lori Taylor is the Founder & CEO of The Produce Moms. For ten years she sold fresh produce to over 300 grocery stores throughout the United States, and today she is fully focused on working with the produce supply chain, media, and government to increase fresh produce access & consumption in the US and around the globe. Connect with Lori on LinkedIn.

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14 Comments

  1. I feel like a friend following your posts and emails. Thank you for all your hard work and devotion to customers giving us the knowledge we need to care for our families with the foods we choose to have on our tables. Your dedication is appreciated. Congratulations on 4 yrs building your business!

    1. Wow! Such kind words… thank you so much & I’m so glad you feel a great connection. That’s what we want! It’s because you’re a Produce Mom too! 🙂

  2. Happy 4th Birthday Lori, I see many more in your future. I look forward to a future conversation and wish you the best of all the best.