Ben has spent the last thirty years helping to start and grow a company called Meadowbrooke Gourds. They now have twenty full-time employees dedicated to growing, designing, crafting and marketing gourd decor designs, each one intended to create smiles and make homes a little bit warmer.
They sell about half their gourds wholesale to customers located in every state. The other half are sold online, at their store, and through the many classes and community events that they host at their farm.
Ben attributes their success to many things, but none more important than constantly trying to be just a little bit better every year and in every area of the business.
At this point, Ben is starting to step back and let the next generation of leaders take them forward. Ben believes it will be beyond anything he could have even dreamed when he crafted that first gourd in his garage many years ago.
BUSINESS BUILDING INSIGHTSPay attention and acknowledge all your success - big and small.
Watch the reactions of your customers. Find people who can tell you whether what you've created is good or bad.
Create something that people haven’t seen before. That's the way to have products that sell themselves.
Focus on one thing when you’re starting a business. Don’t try to do everything.
Bring on employees so you can focus on the things only you can do.
Get people to "experience" your product and also create meaningful experiences and connections with customers.
Don't try to mimic somebody else but compete with yourself instead. Focus on what you can adjust and improve.
Watch people’s smiles and enjoyment more than the monetary gain.
In the craft market, people want to be surprised each time they come to your store. You can be really good but if you aren’t different and better the next time they visit, you will lose customers.

CONTACT LINKShttps://mbgourds.com/ (Website)
https://www.facebook.com/mbgourds (Facebook)
https://www.instagram.com/mbgourds/ (Instagram)
https://www.pinterest.com/mbgourds/ (Pinterest)
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt1S4gWChqKv2DrJywrOK5w (YouTube)
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Thank so much! Sue