“The early personal challenges were a sense of real vulnerability,” says Strickland, “though we found a quick success.  In a small town, everyone wants to know what’s happening and what the new places are like.  But  we provided good quality food made from scratch and have continued to do so for nine years, which is why we have grown every year.”

Strickland said tenacity and independence are traits of small-town entrepreneurs who are often creating the products or services that a more rural area may lack, but that modern day people living the good  ‘ole country life still desire.”

In that independence, Strickland knows that interdependence with a close-knit community is key.

“I depend on people because I know what I don’t know and we all share and learn in that in order to keep local business strong,” she said.

Registration is now open for the eight-session foundations course, which begins on May 7 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Mill Spring Agricultural Development Center, 156 School Rd.,  Mill Spring.

For details or to register, contact Ashley Epling at 828-253-2834 x 27 orashley@mountainbizworks.org; or course facilitator, Carol Lynn Jackson, at 828-817-2308 or carollynn@mountainbizworks.org. For a full schedule of upcoming courses and events throughout western North Carolina, please visit www.mountainbizworks.org/calendar.

This project was supported by the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA, Grant # 2010-49400-21817.

– article submitted by Carol Lynn Jackson