Three years ago, a husband and wife team took their entire retirement savings and bet it all on a small local market. The first two years weren't even profitable. Today, Jojo's Fresh Market in Paulding County, Georgia is finally starting to turn a corner, and it's become something much bigger than a grocery store.

In this episode of Dirt & Drive, I sit down with the couple behind Jojo's Fresh Market in Dallas, Georgia to talk about what it really costs to bet everything on a small business :financially and emotionally. We talk about how they built relationships with local farmers and even backyard gardeners, buying produce from people with nothing more than a small home garden. We get into how they decide which local vendors and products make it onto their shelves, what it takes for a small producer to get a foot in the door, and why they believe so deeply in supporting small over big.

If you've ever dreamed of opening your own store, getting your products into a local market, or you just want to hear an honest story about what it takes to keep going when the numbers aren't there yet, this episode is for you.

In this episode we cover:

• Betting their entire retirement on a business with no guarantee
• Surviving two years without profit
• How they source from small farmers and backyard gardeners
• What it takes for a small producer to get into a store like theirs
• Why they believe in small business over big distributors

🥬 Visit Jojo's Market:

https://jojosfreshmarket.com/

https://www.facebook.com/p/JoJos-Fresh-Market-61557779307554/

https://www.instagram.com/jojosfreshmarket/?hl=en

https://www.tiktok.com/@jojosfreshmarket

🎙️ Follow Dirt & Drive:

https://www.youtube.com/@dirtanddrivepod

https://instagram.com/dirtanddrivepod

https://tiktok.com/@dirtanddrivepod

🐉 Follow Dragon Creek Ranch:

Shop Tallow: http://dragoncreek.org

https://facebook.com/dragoncreekranch

https://instagram.com/dragoncreek.ranch

https://tiktok.com/@dragoncreekranch

https://www.youtube.com/@Dragon_Creek_Ranch

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who’s building something from the ground up.

Dirt & Drive Podcast: Real conversations about building a business, working the land, and creating something that lasts.

Before you head out to pasture, remember, this is just people sharing opinions not medical, legal, or business advice. The opinions expressed here don't necessarily reflect the views of the host, Dragon Creek Ranch, or the Dirt & Drive Podcast. Always remember to do your own research. It's ok to get your hands a little dirty, but keep your rap sheet clean. Thanks for listening!

Before "Stranger Things" made it famous, this farm was already a legacy in the making.

In this episode of Dirt & Drive, I sit down with the sisters behind Sleepy Hollow Christmas Tree Farm - the real-life corn maze and farmland where Stranger Things was filmed, including Hopper's cabin. But long before the cameras showed up, this was a Christmas tree farm started by their dad back in the 1970s.

We talk about what it was like watching their family land turn into a worldwide filming location, how it brought tourists from around the globe, and - more importantly - how they've built a business that goes far beyond the fame. From pumpkin patches and escape rooms to birthday parties, farm photography, and animal encounters, this family has figured out how to turn every inch of their property into an experience that keeps people coming back all year long.

This is a story about hard work, family, and how a small homestead can grow into something bigger than anyone imagined - Stranger Things or not.

In this episode we cover:

• How Sleepy Hollow Farm became a Stranger Things filming location
• Building Hopper's cabin and hosting the corn maze scenes
• Turning a Christmas tree farm into a year-round experience business
• Pumpkin patches, escape rooms, birthday parties, and more
• Why experiences - not just products - might be the future of the small family farm

Follow Sleepy Hollow Christmas Tree Farm:

https://www.sleepyhollowtrees.com/

https://www.facebook.com/SleepyHollowTrees

https://www.instagram.com/sleepy_hollow_farm/

https://www.escapewoods.com/

Follow Dirt& Drive:

https://www.youtube.com/@dirtanddrivepod

https://instagram.com/dirtanddrivepod

https://tiktok.com/@dirtanddrivepod

Follow Dragon Creek Ranch:

Shop Tallow: http://dragoncreek.org

https://facebook.com/dragoncreekranch

https://instagram.com/dragoncreek.ranch

https://tiktok.com/@dragoncreekranch

https://www.youtube.com/@Dragon_Creek_Ranch

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who’s building something from the ground up.

Dirt & Drive Podcast: Real conversations about building a business, working the land, and creating something that lasts.

Before you head out to pasture, remember, this is just people sharing opinions not medical, legal, or business advice. The opinions expressed here don't necessarily reflect the views of the host, Dragon Creek Ranch, or the Dirt & Drive Podcast. Always remember to do your own research. It's ok to get your hands a little dirty, but keep your rap sheet clean. Thanks for listening!

Before there was Dragon Creek Ranch, there was years of grinding... eBay flipping, estate sales, a brutal home sale, and a closing that almost didn't happen twice. And even after we finally got here, a family setback nearly made us lose it all before we ever got started.

In the middle of all of that, I was also quietly losing a battle with my own skin. Years of rosacea and eczema, hundreds of dollars spent on prescriptions and creams, nothing working. Then somebody recommended tallow. My reaction? "Ew. Absolutely not." Thirty days later I caved. And three days after that, my skin started clearing up for the first time in years.

This is the full origin story of Dragon Creek Ranch. The grind, the setbacks, the skin transformation, and the wedding favor that accidentally launched a business. If you've ever wondered why I do this... this is your answer.

Grab your coffee. Pull up a chair. This one's personal.

Follow Dirt& Drive:

https://www.youtube.com/@dirtanddrivepod

https://instagram.com/dirtanddrivepod

https://tiktok.com/@dirtanddrivepod

Follow Dragon Creek Ranch:

Shop Tallow: http://dragoncreek.org

https://facebook.com/dragoncreekranch

https://instagram.com/dragoncreek.ranch

https://tiktok.com/@dragoncreekranch

https://www.youtube.com/@Dragon_Creek_Ranch

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who’s building something from the ground up.

Dirt & Drive Podcast: Real conversations about building a business, working the land, and creating something that lasts.

Before you head out to pasture, remember, this is just people sharing opinions not medical, legal, or business advice. The opinions expressed here don't necessarily reflect the views of the host, Dragon Creek Ranch, or the Dirt & Drive Podcast. Always remember to do your own research. It's ok to get your hands a little dirty, but keep your rap sheet clean. Thanks for listening!

Thinking about selling at farmers markets, festivals, or vendor events? This episode walks you through every single step: from getting your business license and the right insurance, to setting up your booth, prepping for weather, taking payments, and capturing customers after the event. I'm sharing exactly what I did to go from zero to $900 in sales at my very first event. Whether you make soap, skincare, food, or crafts... this is the setup guide I wish I'd had.

Follow Dirt& Drive:

https://www.youtube.com/@dirtanddrivepod

https://instagram.com/dirtanddrivepod

https://tiktok.com/@dirtanddrivepod

Follow Dragon Creek Ranch:

Shop Tallow: http://dragoncreek.org

https://facebook.com/dragoncreekranch

https://instagram.com/dragoncreek.ranch

https://tiktok.com/@dragoncreekranch

https://www.youtube.com/@Dragon_Creek_Ranch

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who’s building something from the ground up.

Dirt & Drive Podcast: Real conversations about building a business, working the land, and creating something that lasts.

Before you head out to pasture, remember, this is just people sharing opinions not medical, legal, or business advice. The opinions expressed here don't necessarily reflect the views of the host, Dragon Creek Ranch, or the Dirt & Drive Podcast. Always remember to do your own research. It's ok to get your hands a little dirty, but keep your rap sheet clean. Thanks for listening!

In this episode, I talk with Jessica Bowman from White Barn Farm about transitioning from a 7-year plant sale to their very first farm stand. We dive into what actually sells (hint: honey is #1), lessons from years of plant sales, and what it really takes to run a successful farm stand.

If you're thinking about selling plants, honey, or farm goods, this one is for you!

Follow Jessica Bowman/White Barn Farm:

https://www.tiktok.com/@white.barn.farm.nh

https://www.instagram.com/whitebarnfarmnh

Follow Dirt& Drive:

https://www.youtube.com/@dirtanddrivepod

https://instagram.com/dirtanddrivepod

https://tiktok.com/@dirtanddrivepod

Follow Dragon Creek Ranch:

Shop Tallow: http://dragoncreek.org

https://facebook.com/dragoncreekranch

https://instagram.com/dragoncreek.ranch

https://tiktok.com/@dragoncreekranch

https://www.youtube.com/@Dragon_Creek_Ranch

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who’s building something from the ground up.

Dirt & Drive Podcast: Real conversations about building a business, working the land, and creating something that lasts.

Before you head out to pasture, remember, this is just people sharing opinions not medical, legal, or business advice. The opinions expressed here don't necessarily reflect the views of the host, Dragon Creek Ranch, or the Dirt & Drive Podcast. Always remember to do your own research. It's ok to get your hands a little dirty, but keep your rap sheet clean. Thanks for listening!

At the local farmers market I asked 15 different vendors one simple question: What's your #1 tip for selling at farmers markets?

Their answers were honest and practical. This is real advice from real vendors on what actually works at farmers markets.

If you're thinking about starting at farmers markets or you're already selling and want to do better, this video is packed with real advice from people actually doing it.

I'm currently building a tallow business from our small family farm, and this is part of documenting that journey ... learning what works, what doesn't, and how to grow something real.

In this podcast episode you'll hear:

1. What actually helps vendors make sales
2. Common mistakes to avoid
3. Real world tips from unexpected sellers
4. What successful booths do differently

If you've ever thought about selling at a farmers market, start here.

About us:

Dirt & Drive is all about turning a small homestead into a real business. We're building a small farm-based business centered around traditional, simple skincare like a grass-fed tallow soaps.

http://dragoncreek.org

Thank you to the vendors who work so hard and shared their knowledge with us:

1. My husband - thank you sweetheart!
2. Nests & Knots
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61587086810134
3. Cartecay Candle Co.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100071346567246
4. Sugar Pike Soap Co.
https://www.facebook.com/susan.shepard.350455
5. Story Rocks
6. John Jennings
7. Fat Bastard Coffee
https://www.fatbastardcoffee.shop/
8. Hey Hunni LLC
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090441513379
9. Mother's Hearth Bakery
https://app.simply-bread.co/mothershearthbakery/
10. Chris's Camo Rub
11. New Hope Black Walnut Farm

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089601051253
12. Arlowe's Bakehouse
https://www.facebook.com/arlowesbakehouse/
13. Paw Pals Accessories
14. StephScott Crochet
15. Ellijay Farmers Market
https://www.facebook.com/ellijayfarmers/

What would you actually do if you had just 1 acre of land and needed it to start paying for itself?

That's exactly the question Matthew Guager of Greenhorn Grove answered in a video that recently went viral...and in this episode, we took that conversation much further. Matthew doesn't just talk about homesteading in theory; he lives it, he's built real income streams from it, and he breaks it down in a way that anyone can follow.

We start with the basics of direct sales. Why flowers are one of the smartest first crops for fast income, how to run a simple farm stand, and what beginners should know before stepping into a farmers market for the first time. We also get into vegetable sales and how even a modest growing operation can start generating cash relatively quickly.

But this episode goes well beyond selling produce. Matthew livestock, the best starter animals for a small homestead - lower maintenance than many people expect, multiple income angles, and a great fit for beginners who want livestock without getting in over their heads right away.

We also get into the world of agro tourism. Matthew hosts events on his property and uses an Airbnb to turn his homestead into a destination, not just a farm. It's one of the most underutilized income strategies in the homesteading space.

Then there's the model a lot of people overlook: farm subscriptions. We talk through how a small farm can set up practical recurring revenue: giving customers a reason to come back consistently while giving you more predictable income month to month.

And finally, we go deep on social media - because for Matthew, it's actually his biggest income driver.

This is one of those episodes that covers the full picture ... from your first crop sale to building something that genuinely sustains itself.

In this episode:

• Flowers, farm stands & farmers markets... the fast path to first income
• Beginner livestock choices
• Agro tourism, property events & Airbnb as a homestead income stream
• Setting up farm subscriptions for recurring revenue
• How social media can become your biggest earner (Matthew's #1 income source)

Connect with Matthew Guager: Greenhorn Grove
Website: https://www.thegreenhornguides.com/herewegrow

Follow along with Dragon Creek Ranch: Website: https://dragoncreek.org

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who’s building something from the ground up.

Dirt & Drive Podcast: Real conversations about building a business, working the land, and creating something that lasts.

Before you head out to pasture, remember, this is just people sharing opinions not medical, legal, or business advice. The opinions expressed here don't necessarily reflect the views of the host, Dragon Creek Ranch, or the Dirt & Drive Podcast. Always remember to do your own research. It's ok to get your hands a little dirty, but keep your rap sheet clean. Thanks for listening!

In this episode of the Dirt & Drive podcast, we’re talking about a question a lot of small business owners are quietly asking right now… is sourdough too saturated to sell anymore?

I’m joined by Joane Moran, founder of Breaking Bread and Company, to have an honest conversation about what it really looks like to build and grow a sourdough business in today’s market. We dive into the realities of competition, and what’s actually working right now.

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s still possible to turn sourdough into a profitable business, or how to pivot when things feel crowded, this episode is for you.

Connect with Joane Moran: Breaking Bread and Company
Website: https://breakingbreadandcompany.com

Follow along with Dragon Creek Ranch: Website: https://dragoncreek.org

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who’s building something from the ground up.

— Dirt & Drive Podcast Real conversations about building a business, working the land, and creating something that lasts.

Before you head out to pasture, remember, this is just people sharing opinions not medical, legal, or business advice. The opinions expressed here don't necessarily reflect the views of the host, Dragon Creek Ranch, or the Dirt & Drive Podcast. Always remember to do your own research. It's ok to get your hands a little dirty, but keep your rap sheet clean. Thanks for listening!