Special Publications

Red Bluff Daily News - Women In business - Wednesday, October 22, 2014 - 3 By Julie Zeeb DN Correspondent Just a short drive out of Red Bluff, sitting on the west side of the highway is one of Tehama County's treasures – Julia's Fruit Stand, 11475 State Route 99E, where fresh fruits and veggies can be found from Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through the end of October. "e day of Nov. 1 is a national holiday in our house," co-owner Kathy Brandt said with a smile on her face. "It's the day of doing noth- ing and sleeping in." With more than 20 varieties of pumpkins and gourds alone along with apples, peaches, several types of unusual tomatoes and many other kinds of fruits and vegetables, there's plenty for visitors to choose from. Among Brandt's favorite varieties is the Caveman's gourd, which looks like a club, and one of the newer ones, the bliss pumpkin, she said "We have tried very hard to put out the highest quality of produce," Brandt said when asked what makes her business successful. "We always strive to produce the freshest and best so people will want to come back. anks to my husband James' gardening skills and the skills of our pickers, we do well." Unlike produce destined for a store, what is available at the stand is given plenty of time to ripen and sugar up on the vine, she said. Julia's has come a long way from its humble beginnings in 2001 when Brandt sat in her driveway painting signs and her then almost 2-year-old daughter passed by her, inspiring Brandt to name the stand aer her. In earlier days, the stand was only open Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day and it all started with simple hand made signs, some- thing that has not changed with signs still lining the highway for a mile or two before the stand. "When we started this, we had no idea it would grow into a full-fledged business," Brandt said. "If you had told me (then) it was going to expand this much I would have told you that you were crazy." Originally, it was just a place to sell excess produce to be put into a college fund for Julia. With a total of up to 23 part-time employees during peak season, the business now includes Jayne's Garden and Jordan's Peaches. Among the employees, several students can be found. "One of the reasons we continued on in this opportunity is we wanted to give our kids the opportunity to work and to learn the impor- tance of a good work ethic," Brandt said. "We wanted other kids, too, to have the opportu- nity to learn the importance of work, learn about taxes and to appreciate the money they earn. Hopefully, working here will help them learn the skills to work with other people and in dealing with the public." Her family also takes every opportunity to teach others about what they do, oen giving tours to school groups, she said. e business hosts special events for the public to come out such as the annual pump- kin festival, always the first Sunday in October, and is a stop on the Tehama Trail Passport Weekend held in June. One of the many perks of the business is be- ing able to eat so much fresh produce, some- thing she doesn't take for granted, Brandt said. While it is different from teaching and coaching, which she has done at both the high school and college level, it is an experience Brandt, who has a bachelor's degree in History from Pepperdine University and a master's in Physical Education from California State Uni- versity, Chico, enjoys, she said. "I wouldn't trade it for anything," Brandt said. "To be able to raise my three kids on a farm and to have access to all the good food we do is great." Whatever isn't sold or consumed by her family does not go to waste. It is first offered to people and local organizations such as the Gleaners and the SERRF aer school program. Giving back to her community when possi- ble, including sponsoring a few sports teams or buying animals at fair, is something that is important to her, Brandt said. When it comes to owning a business, Brandt has two pieces of advice for would-be entre- preneurs. "First of all, surround yourself with good people, whether that be employees or men- tors," Brandt said. "Secondly, work hard and work smart. When you own a business, there's no such thing as 9-5. It's more like 24/7." Julia's Fruit Stand, which can be found on Facebook and at the Red Bluff Farmers Mar- ket, is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day through Halloween. e business can be reached at 354-4775. Raising healthy produce and responsible youth

• Cover