Molly & Me Pecans shares her Female Founder story

Posted on March 05, 2019 by Allison Loftus | 36 Comments

In honor of Women’s History Month (all of March!) we spoke with the founder of Molly & Me Pecans to find out more about her journey of launching a woman-run business--something we can relate to at VelvetCrate.

Kay Holseberg started Molly & Me Pecans in 2008 after picking pecans from her own 200+ acre farm, and sharing them with family and friends. We asked her more about her humble beginnings and what she would share with other female entrepreneurs.

What was the inspiration behind Molly & Me Pecans?
I know this sounds funny, but the movie Baby Boom! It was about a woman who found herself fed up with the corporate world and city life, bought a farm and moved out to it, then realized she needed to do something to make money and fight the boredom. … I never aspired to being a huge company, but loved the idea of moving to the country and making something from my own land. When we bought our farm, it had pecan trees so of course that's where it all started.

What are you most proud of with your business?
I love the fact that I can help other people here in Holly Hill. The women that work for me are amazing! I have always treated this as a team, not as owner and employees. We celebrate our successes together, we worry and pray for each other when things are tough. My cook just went through chemo, but she never missed a beat. I admire her. I ask their opinions and we figure things out together.

What advice would you give other women hoping to start their own business?
Go for it! I didn't know what I was doing when I started my business. I worked in the corporate world for other people my whole life, so yes, it is a little scary stepping out of your comfort zone, but I am so thankful I did. I get to meet so many people that I never would have met sitting at a desk for the rest of my life. Start out small, take your time and figure it out as you go. Hire people to do the things you are not good at. I am terrible at bookkeeping and a little too old to know a lot about social media and marketing, so I hired other people to do those things. I am also fortunate to have an amazing daughter who has been a huge influence and help with my business. I couldn't have done this without her giving me advice and reeling me back in when I get a crazy idea!

What do you enjoy most about gift-giving?
I love the idea that people are actually choosing our gift boxes or bags of pecans to give others! It makes me so happy to know people enjoy what we make. We are passionate about every detail and I tease the ladies in the cookhouse that I want each box that goes out to look like a "party in a box." No matter what the occasion, I want the person opening the box to feel special.

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