I recently participated in an Ultimate Blog Challenge. What this entails is crafting a blog post everyday for a month. I participated in this challenge several years ago, and was excited to see the opportunity present itself again.
I will admit… I had ulterior motives. I was hoping to meet some incredible entrepreneurs and bloggers to possibly invite to be a guest on this podcast. I wasn’t disappointed. I met a couple incredible ladies, and today’s guest is one of them.
Please let me introduce Lisa Carmichael. Lisa is a published author, entrepreneur, and marketing professional who lives in Minnesota. She is the owner and creator of EPIK Mastermind.
Click this LINK to listen as Lisa & I chat it up about how you can make your dream of business ownership a reality!
Here’s what Lisa has to say about her concept of the 3 M’s of Successful Entrepreneurs are & how they can incorporate them to have a successful business:
“As female entrepreneurs, we need to evolve. We need to embrace change. One thing that’s consistent for us as entrepreneurs, is change. So let’s embrace that. Initially, when I came up with the three M’s. They represented Mentorship, Mindset, and Masterminds. Because that’s my story. I learned about Mindset through a mentor and a result I created EPIK Mastermind. Now, I’ve evolved the 3 M’s into Mindset, Marketing, and Money.” Lisa Carmichael
Join Jean as she chats it up with Dawn Green, Horticulturist & Owner of Dawn Gardens, LLC.
Dawn & Jean are definitely kindred spirts as they both love anything involved with being in the dirt! Today they will discuss what they are both doing in their personal gardens, as well as professional.
About Dawn…
Dawn Green is a lifelong Michigander, minus a short stay in Alabama while she served in the Army. She grew up in the U.P. with Lake Superior and Tahquamenon Falls as her playgrounds. Growing up in a family of hunters, fishermen, and gardeners she learned quickly the grocery store was not the only source of food. She leaves the hunting and fishing to other family members, but gardening has always been her passion. She often says I says she not only has a green thumb, but is “green through and through”. She is the mother of two amazing young women and grandmother of 3 adorable grandchildren. She moved to Oakland County shortly after leaving the Army and has been here ever since.
To connect with Dawn, check her out at anyone of the following platforms:
Join Jean each week as she chats it up about gardening, cooking, organizational tips & tricks, chatting about healthy lifestyles, and of course having conversations with incredible entrepreneurs!
Join Jean as she chats it up with Amanda Shreve, Executive Director for the Michigan Farmers Market Association.
During the month of May Jean will be focusing on local food and how to source it, along with talking to professionals in the industry who fight the good fight advocating for fair food. Jean couldn’t think of a better organization to include than MIFMA~ Michigan Farmers Market Association and its wonderful Director, Amanda Shreve!
Amanda has been part of the MIFMA team since November 2009. She says, “I am passionate about connecting the public with agriculture and growing awareness of what it takes to produce our food supply in a safe, equitable and environmentally sustainable way. I recognize that farmers markets are a very visible and tangible way to establish, maintain and grow this connection.”
Amanda obtained her Bachelor of Science in Horticulture from Michigan State University. She enjoys floral design, gardening, and spending time with her husband and two dogs.
Mission: MIFMA places equity at the forefront of supporting the viability of community-driven marketplaces so that they can connect ALL consumers to local farms and businesses.
Vision: MIFMA places farmers markets at the forefront of the local food movement and works to ensure all residents have access to healthy, locally grown food and that Michigan farmers markets receive policy support.”
Join Jean each week as she chats it up about gardening, cooking, organizational tips & tricks, chatting about healthy lifestyles, and of course having conversations with incredible entrepreneurs!
I am a huge advocate for supporting local businesses. You will see me out & about every week posting about a local business wherever I go. As an entrepreneur, I completely understand the importance of small businesses supporting one another!
It’s no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on businesses globally. Small businesses, in particular, have been hit hard, and many have had to close their doors permanently. This has left many communities without the local businesses that they rely on for goods and services.
Supporting local businesses is more important than ever before. When we shop locally, we’re not only supporting the local economy, but we’re also creating jobs and promoting a sense of community. The 3/50 Project is a simple yet powerful initiative that encourages consumers to support their local businesses by spending $50 at three local businesses each month. In this article, we’ll explore why supporting local businesses is so important and take a closer look at the 3/50 Project.
This is Jacob & Lizzie, and they are the Owners of The Dearborn Shop. They started out as vendors of mine at The Dearborn Farmers & Artisans Market back in 2020. Now, with the support of the local community and other entrepreneurs, they were able to open this beautiful shop up in the heart of West Dearborn, Michigan. They help support other entrepreneurs by offering goods crafted by several other small business owners… including me! You can find my cookbook, Lovingly Seasoned Eats and Treats in this beautiful shop. Be sure to tell ’em Jean sent you!
The Importance of Supporting Local Businesses
There are many reasons why supporting local businesses is essential. Firstly, when we shop locally, we’re supporting the local economy. When we spend money at a local business, that money stays within the community, creating a ripple effect that benefits everyone. Local businesses are also more likely to source their goods and services from other local businesses, further boosting the local economy.
Secondly, supporting local businesses helps create jobs. Small businesses are the backbone of the economy, and when they thrive, they create jobs for local people. By supporting local businesses, we’re helping to create jobs and keep our communities strong.
Finally, shopping locally promotes a sense of community. Local businesses are owned and operated by people who live in the community. When we shop locally, we’re supporting our neighbors and helping to create a sense of community pride. Local businesses also often support community initiatives, such as local sports teams or charities, helping to strengthen the fabric of the community.
How the 3/50 Project Works
The 3/50 Project is a simple initiative that encourages consumers to support their local businesses. The idea is to spend $50 at three local businesses each month. This may not sound like a lot, but it can make a significant difference to small businesses.
To get involved in the 3/50 Project, all you need to do is choose three local businesses that you want to support. It could be your favorite coffee shop, a local boutique, or a family-owned restaurant. The idea is to spend $50 across these three businesses each month. You can choose different businesses each month or stick with the same ones.
The 3/50 Project has a website where you can find local businesses to support. You can search by zip code or city and find a list of participating businesses in your area. You can also use social media to share your support for local businesses and encourage others to get involved.
The Impact of Supporting Local Businesses
The impact of supporting local businesses is significant. When we shop locally, we’re helping to create jobs, boost the local economy, and promote a sense of community. Here are some stats and facts that demonstrate the impact of supporting local businesses:
For every $100 spent at a local business, $68 stays in the local economy, compared to $43 for non-local businesses.
Small businesses create two out of every three new jobs in the United States.
Local businesses are more likely to support local charities and community initiatives.
Shopping locally reduces the environmental impact of transportation and shipping.
By supporting local businesses, we’re not only helping to keep our communities strong, but we’re also making a positive impact on the environment and society as a whole.
Getting involved in the 3/50 Project is easy. All you need to do is choose three local businesses that you want to support and spend $50 across these businesses each month. You can find participating businesses on the 3/50 Project website or by searching on social media.
You can also encourage others to get involved. Share your support for local businesses on social media and encourage your friends and family to do the same. You can also leave positive reviews for local businesses online, which can help attract new customers and support the local economy.
Join me at my Monthly Classes at this beautiful & historic greenhouse & garden center.
You can also purchase my cookbook, Lovingly Seasoned Eats and Treats in their beautiful gift shop as well!
Other Ways to Support Local Businesses
While the 3/50 Project is a great way to support local businesses, there are other ways to get involved. Here are some additional ways to support local businesses:
Shop at farmers’ markets or local craft fairs.
Use local service providers, such as accountants, lawyers, and contractors.
Buy gift cards for local businesses to give as gifts or use later.
Leave positive reviews for local businesses on Yelp or other review sites.
Attend local events and festivals.
By supporting local businesses in these additional ways, we’re helping to create a thriving local economy and a strong sense of community.
There are many benefits to supporting local businesses. Here are just a few:
Local businesses create jobs and boost the local economy.
Shopping locally reduces the environmental impact of transportation and shipping.
Local businesses often offer unique products and services that can’t be found elsewhere.
Supporting local businesses helps to create a sense of community pride and identity.
By supporting local businesses, we’re not only helping to create a strong local economy, but we’re also making a positive impact on the environment and society as a whole.
While supporting local businesses is crucial, it’s not always easy. Small businesses face many challenges, including competition from larger corporations, rising costs, and changing consumer habits. The COVID-19 pandemic has only made these challenges more significant, with many businesses struggling to stay afloat.
As consumers, we can help by supporting local businesses whenever possible. If we want to keep our communities vibrant and thriving, we need to make a conscious effort to shop locally and support small businesses.
I certainly hope you are encouraged to garden. Even if you start with only two or three of these things, that’s a great start!
Supporting local businesses is more important than ever. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on small businesses, and many have had to close their doors permanently. However, by supporting local businesses, we can help to create jobs, boost the local economy, and promote a sense of community.
The 3/50 Project is a simple yet powerful initiative that encourages consumers to support their local businesses by spending $50 at three local businesses each month. By getting involved in the 3/50 Project and supporting local businesses in other ways, we can make a real difference to our communities.
So, the next time you’re thinking about making a purchase, consider shopping locally. By doing so, you’re not only supporting your community, but you’re also making a positive impact on society as a whole. Together, we can create a strong and thriving local economy that benefits everyone.
Other great Local Resources:~Edible WOW Magazine: This is one of the best resources out there for Southwest Michigan www.ediblewow.com
~Edible Communities: web site to direct you to an Edible publication in your area www.ediblecommunities.com
~Local Harvest: list of producers in every state www.localharvest.org ~Google Farmers Markets to find local ones in your area ~Local Dirt: listing for producers www.localdirt.com There are gobs more out there and thanks to the internet you can find just about anything you want LOCALLY!
Dave & I at L.A. Café getting breakfast & some cool gifts!
If you enjoyed this blog , please LIKE, Follow, Share & leave me a comment! I love your feedback!
If you aren’t following me on Facebook or Instagram, go on over & give a LIKE & Follow me for daily tips & tricks for your home & garden!
Until next time friends, eat fresh, shop local, & have a happy day, Jean
Copyright Policy
All text and images on this site are copyright of For Dragonflies And Me. Unless otherwise noted, you may not use this content.
If there is one thing I’m passionate about, it’s local food & farmers markets! I was a farmer for almost 15 years, and most of that time a farmers market vendor. I know what it’s like to be on both sides of the table~ as a vendor, and a market manager.
My heart is most at home in the garden & the farmers markets. Today I will talk to you about my heart felt desire to inspire every person to shop at the farmers market. When you do you are supporting local producers, your local economy, help the sustainability of farmland, and so much more!
Maybe you’ve even been contemplating becoming a market vendor! Do you create, bake, grow, or develop something? Well, a farmers market might be your first step to a successful business start up. Farmers markets are great starting points for local entrepreneurs!
I want this podcast to inspire you… please let me know in the comments below if I did!
Join Jean each week as she chats it up about gardening, cooking, organizational tips & tricks, chatting about healthy lifestyles, and of course having conversations with incredible entrepreneurs!
If you enjoyed this episode, please LIKE, Follow, Share & leave me a comment! I love your feedback!
If you aren’t following me on Facebook & Instagram, go on over & give a LIKE & Follow me for daily tips & tricks for your home & garden!
Be sure to eat fresh, shop local, & have a happy day!
Jean
Copyright Policy
All text and images on this site are copyright of For Dragonflies And Me. Unless otherwise noted, you may not use this content
This month I’ll be discussing how to source local food, the issues with locating it, and why it is so important to support our local farmers markets. Be sure to visit my Facebook Event Calendar & register so you don’t miss an episode!
May’s Lineup!
May 3rd, 2023
Walt Gajewski, Market Manager for The Farmington Farmers & Artisans Market!
If you are a regular listener, you all know I love to share the back story with all of you on how I know and met my podcast guest… and this one is really near & dear to my heart.
I met this guy over a decade ago during my Mennonite days behind my table at the Farmington Farmers & Artisans Market. He was a volunteer with the market and always was so happy & energetic about it. He had real passion is the best way to describe it. Of course that’s why we clicked! Our hearts were both in that happy place!!!
Are you a biking enthusiast? Podcast with Bike Dearborn Founder & Lead Biker, Tracy Besek
Join me today as Founder & Lead Biker for Bike Dearborn, Tracy Besek & I chat it up about biking safety, advocacy, and being a part of this great group!
This month’s focus has been on local food, and healthy life choices. I tend to focus a lot on farmers markets, but obviously there are so many other ways to invest in healthy life choices, exercise being another obvious one!
My guest today and I met almost ten years ago during my tenure in Dearborn with both the DDA and the Chamber of Commerce. We collaborated together with the city’s farmers market I managed… OK, yep I’m going to tie in the farmers market again, LOL.
5 Reasons to Support Your Local Farmers Markets: How they benefit people both health wise & the local community!
If there is one thing I’m passionate about, it’s local food & farmers markets! I was a farmer for almost 15 years, and most of that time a farmers market vendor. I know what it’s like to be on both sides of the table~ as a vendor, and a market manager.
My heart is most at home in the garden & the farmers markets. Today I will talk to you about my heart felt desire to inspire every person to shop at the farmers market. When you do you are supporting local producers, your local economy, help the sustainability of farmland, and so much more!
Maybe you’ve even been contemplating becoming a market vendor! Do you create, bake, grow, or develop something? Well, a farmers market might be your first step to a successful business start up. Farmers markets are great starting points for local entrepreneurs!
I want this podcast to inspire you… please let me know in the comments below if I did!
Let’s talk food advocacy with Michigan Farmers Market Association (M.I.F.M.A.), Executive Director, Amanda Shreve.
Food is Medicine! Join Jean as she chats it up with Amanda Shreve, Executive Director for the Michigan Farmers Market Association.
During the month of May Jean will be focusing on local food and how to source it, along with talking to professionals in the industry who fight the good fight advocating for fair food. Jean couldn’t think of a better organization to include than MIFMA~ Michigan Farmers Market Association and its wonderful Director, Amanda Shreve!
Amanda has been part of the MIFMA team since November 2009. She says, “I am passionate about connecting the public with agriculture and growing awareness of what it takes to produce our food supply in a safe, equitable and environmentally sustainable way. I recognize that farmers markets are a very visible and tangible way to establish, maintain and grow this connection.”
May 31st, 2023
Let’s talk about growing food with Dawn Green, Horticulturist & Owner of Dawn Gardens, LLC!
Join Jean as she chats it up with fellow gardener extraordinaire, Dawn Green! We’ll discuss the importance of raising your own food, and the joy & fulfilment it brings!
During our conversation Victoria goes on to describe the naming of her company and reflects on how each one of us are also in a particular stage of life… in a draft stage. I was so moved with her analogy as it resonated with me so deeply. She goes on to explain that her company, just like her life is in Draft, and certainly not the final version.
Today’s guest is an incredible graphic designer and even offers custom designed wedding logo’s. It doesn’t stop there though, listen to here more!
Some of you listening today may remember my premiere podcast guest, Mr. Tim Travis, owner of Goldner Walsh Garden and Home. Well as I mentioned in one of my podcasts from last month, Tim hosted a lovely artists market last December in one of his event greenhouses. To say the least it was delightful… but when you mix food with shopping, what more can a gal ask for!
The market showcased several local artisans selling their wares, along with some yummy foodies! To say the least… I was in a bit of heaven on earth. My favorite things all in one stop!
I of course was hoping to meet some cool people to be guests on upcoming podcast episodes, and I was not disappointed. I met this super energetic gal with crazy cool art ranging from notepads, greeting cards, pens, and original art.
And that is where I met today’s guest, please let me introduce Victoria O’Brien, Owner & Designer of Draft Paper Co.
If you haven’t been following me at my Podcast, then you’ve been missing incredible stories from individuals who have created a business from their dreams. Some have a foot on both sides of the fence, while others have made the leap and left their day jobs to follow their dreams. And you know what friends… I’m one of the later!
I’ve been interviewing experts in the fields of gardening, life & business coaching, small business owners, and so many other incredible people. In upcoming months I’ll be providing information on how to start a business and having discussions with the people who have the resources to help you. Some of my guests include representatives from the SBA, Great Lakes Women’s Business Council, Buy Detroit, & so many more!
Be sure to SUBSCRIBE you so don’t miss an episode. You can also head over to my Facebook Event Calendar to see all my upcoming, as well as past episode with links. Be sure to register for each one, so you’ll get a reminder!
Click each photo to visit my Podcast guest’s website!
If you enjoyed this blog, please LIKE, Follow, Share & leave me a comment! I love your feedback!
If you aren’t following me on Facebook & Instagram go on over & give a LIKE & Follow me for daily tips & tricks for your home & garden!
Michigan’s guide to local farms, farmers markets, restaurants, beer, wine and specialty producers!
As many of you may know I have been involved with farmers markets as a vendor and as a market manager for close to 20 years. This journey started when we had our farm and decided to sell at area farmers markets. This is one of the main reasons I am such a supporter of local markets & entrepreneurs. Last summer was the first year I wasn’t either in front of the table or behind it. I really do miss being there, but now I am happy to patronize as a customer!
The month of May is generally when most summer markets open up to the public. After a long winter folks are always excited to return to their town or city’s markets and reunite with their favorite farmers & artisans. Although there are several markets here in the Metro Detroit area that run year round, and I for one am sooo grateful, I do longingly anticipate the return of the regular season markets.
The diversity of products of course is the ultimate draw. Today’s guest is with an organization I’ve personally partnered with for close to ten years while I managed several area markets. My guest is their ‘boots on the ground gal’… she is the one who is connecting with Mid and Southeast Michigan’s market managers & producers to make sure all of YOU know what’s happening in the local food scene.
Please help me introduce Karey Stid, Taste The Local Differences Mid by Southeast Michigan Local Food Coordinator.
Karey Stid is Taste the Local Difference’s Local Food Coordinator in the mid to Southeast region of the mitten. She is passionate about connecting and developing authentic relationships with the local food and beverage producers (and supporters!) in her region. In her free time she can be found walking her dog, cooking spontaneous meals with her husband, or catching up with friends and family members!
Click thisLINK to listen & be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Check out my list of events at my Facebook Event page, and be sure to register so you don’t miss an episode!
To learn more about Taste The Local Difference and if you’re interested in becoming a partner there are a few ways to get signed up: You can visit localdifference.org/services/partnerships to learn more and sign up yourself Or, if you would like to talk with someone within your region who can tell you more about partnership opportunities, reach out to me via email at karey@localdifference.org and I will make sure that you get connected with the Local Food Coordinator in your area to start that conversation.
If you enjoyed this episode, please LIKE, Follow, Share & leave me a comment! I love your feedback!
If you aren’t following me on Facebook & Instagram go on over & give a LIKE & Follow me for daily tips & tricks for your home & garden!
Until next time remember to Eat fresh, shop local & have a happy day, Jean
Copyright Policy
All text and images on this site are copyright of For Dragonflies And Me. Unless otherwise noted, you may not use this content without written permission.
If you haven’t been following me on my Facebook page, well then you’ve been missing a load of fun. I share links to all my blog posts, YouTube videos, Podcast recordings, Facebook live moments when I’m out & about.
Be sure to stop by so you don’t miss a beat! See you there friends, and be sure to “Hi!” in the comments!
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If you enjoyed this blog, please LIKE, Follow, Share & leave me a comment! I love your feedback!
If you aren’t following me on Facebook & Instagram go on over & give a LIKE & Follow me for daily tips & tricks for your home & garden!
For Dragonflies And Me 