From a 4-Hour Field Pop-Up to a $2M Economic Powerhouse: Jess’s Business Journey

Ever wonder how a failed pumpkin patch and some wedding gigs turned into one of the most impactful rural events in the region? In today’s episode, we (finally!) stick to the script and dive into Jess’s business story—how Gather was born, how Market in the Mountains exploded, and how this whole thing somehow started with a cold chicken lunch and a DM.

We talk about what it really means to build community from scratch when you live way out of town. Jess shares the “aha moment” that made her realize rural women needed more than a Facebook group, they needed a room, a seat, and a steak knife that didn’t snap. And you’ll hear the backstory on how a few flower centerpieces, a busted name tag system, and a spark of rebellion against crappy hotel banquet rooms led to a full-blown rural movement.

You’ll hear us unpack:

• The not-so-glamorous start of Gather and the surprising inspiration behind it
• How dressing up to connect turned into a six-figure market with over 3,500 attendees
• Why listening to your community beats any fancy business plan
• The real economic impact of Market in the Mountains (spoiler: $2 million!)
• What it means to be seen—by your dad, your neighbors, and your local FFA teens

We hope this episode inspires you to trust your gut, even if it starts with a four-hour field idea that nobody thinks will work. Because you might just be the one to put your small town on the map.

👉 Make sure to follow the podcast so you never miss an episode! And if this one hit home, we’d love for you to leave a review—it means the world to us.

Connect with GUEST:

• Guest links

Connect with Kendall:

• Follow on Instagram @marketingforfarmers and @centralparkfarms
• Check out her website

Connect with Jessica:

• Follow on Instagram @moosevalleyranch 
• Check out her website

Resources & Links:

• Market In The Mountain Tickets