Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kendall Scruggs. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Kendall, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
My work ethic comes from a long line of hard workers. It trickled down to me from my father. He is always the hardest worker in the room and built his business from the ground up. I’ve followed in his foot steps by building my own business from the ground up. Taking initiative and leading is instilled in who I am. But I am always thankful for the learning process of entrepreneurship on a daily basis.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
My name is Kendall Scruggs. Born and raised in Greer, SC where I enjoy homesteading on my hobby farm with my husband, Dustin, my daughter, Memphis and our newest addition, my son Stetson. As a licensed veterinary technician of several years, I never saw myself switching careers to anything other than being a stay at home mom once I had children. And yes, I do believe that it is a full time job! I gave birth to my daughter in May of 2020. When the whole world stopped due to Covid-19. Not that I didn’t already have my hands full with a newborn and a farm, but I decided I wanted to do something fun & new. So I started creating candles. What went from an “art project” turned into a full blown career. Not only do I create aesthetically pleasing, fun candles, I also hand make unique car freshies, shower steamers, bath bombs and lotion bars! My business quickly grew and I entered the “Vendor Market / Farmer’s Market” scene. I completely immersed myself into it and quickly came to the realization that there were not as many opportunities for new small businesses to sell their products and promote their businesses. I took my business to the next level. I began hosting small markets here and there. Word spread quite rapidly and I began to host much larger markets in the upstate. I also began incorporating music to support local artists. I typically host once a month at various venues around Greer, Greenville, Wellford and Taylors. I am always looking for new spaces to rent and help support my fellow business owners.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I truly believe that you have to be very understanding, personable, honest and driven to be an event coordinator / host. Aside from juggling my home life and inventory for my business, I also manage and communicate with 65+ vendors per event and try to break down every details of the ins and outs of the event itself so it may run as smoothly as possible. My biggest advice would be to make those connections with your fellow business owners. My vendors have truly become my chosen family and life long friends! My events could not run and be what they are without the people behind the businesses.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
The most impactful thing my parents have done for me is to be present. There is not a time in my life where my parents weren’t there every single step of the way. They have always supported my hopes and dreams and done everything in their power to guide me.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @memphisfreshsc
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/memphisfresh/
