OFI 273: Small Scale Canning And Jarring Of Fruit And Vegetables | Muirhead Canning Company

 SHOW NOTES

KEY IDEAS: 

Our guest today purchased and operates his own custom canning business in the Dalles, Oregon.  Coming from full-time employment in agriculture, Russell Loughmiller said that he was getting bored with his work and was looking for something new.  Entrepreneurship did not scare him, and he had tried entrepreneurship endeavors in the past.

At the same time, the owners of Muirhead Canning Company had been looking to sell their business for some time.  This turned out to be the perfect fit, and Russell found a way to make it work.  Now Russell works 100% in agriculture, on his own terms.

I hope you enjoy his story.

ADVICE FROM RUSSELL:

LOT TO LEARN – Understand that you will have a lot to learn when you start this business.  Just keep studying and get as much help from those who know as possible.

DON’T KNOW? – Russell could not state enough that you just don’t know what you don’t know.  What he means by this is that you will be continually learning as you go through this journey.  New questions that you never thought to ask will come up as you learn more.

BE CAUTIOUS – Take it slow and be careful with your money.  Grow only as fast as the business will let you.

KNOW IT ALL? – Russell definitely wanted to bring it home that you (and he) don’t know everything.  So, don’t be afraid to ask questions and to take advice.

BEST BUSINESS ADVICE RUSSELL HAS RECEIVED:

QUALITY – Never drop your quality even if you have to raise your prices.  This is one of the best pieces of business advice I have had a guest receive and then share on the show.  This is great.  People will pay for quality.  They won’t pay for a bad product or service at any price.

PERSONAL HABIT THAT HELPS RUSSELL SUCCEED:

INNOVATION – Russell gets bored easily.  While this might sound like a habit, he cited it as the reason that he keeps innovating and growing as a person.

BOOKS/RESOURCES:

Russell recommends The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It.  I have read this book as well and recommend it.  It will illustrate for you the difference between working in your business and running your business.  And, the example used is a very simple form of business – selling pies.  Great book.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Email: rloughmiller@gmail.com

Website: www.muirheadcanning.com

Telephone: 541.298.1660

Other Places You Can Listen To Us:

Check us out on the D&B Supply Show where we get to focus in on very specific farming issues like tank heaters, fencing, regulations, etc.

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