At what point does a vendor selling candles at craft fairs decide it's time to open an actual store? For Janet, owner of Dixie Delight Country Produce Store in Hiram, Georgia, that leap came after years of building her candle business one festival at a time.

In this episode of Dirt & Drive, Janet walks us through that transition - from a table at craft fairs and vendor events to owning a full storefront filled with local produce, meats, honey, sourdough, pottery, and dozens of other local vendors. We also talk about a major setback along the way: the county took her original building through eminent domain, forcing her to start over. Today, she and her team operate out of the big red building on Bill Carruth Parkway - the one you can't miss, with a yard full of concrete statues and birdbaths out front.

We dig into how she made the shift from making everything herself to curating a store full of other local makers and farms, and what it actually takes to manage a business like this day to day.

If you've ever sold at a market or craft fair and wondered what it would take to open your own store, this episode walks through exactly what that transition looks like.

In this episode we cover:

Going from selling candles at craft fairs to owning a full retail store
Surviving eminent domain and rebuilding the business from scratch
Transitioning from making everything yourself to working with local vendors
What it takes to manage a store with dozens of local products under one roof
What life inside Dixie Delight Country Produce Store looks like today

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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!