Our new series, “Where are they now?”, was created to highlight the success of businesses that took part in the Launch Lenawee program. As a service within our Entrepreneur Series, Launch Lenawee supports and develops entrepreneurs and small businesses in Lenawee County by providing access to business development services, mentorship, business loans, and networking opportunities.
Where Are They Now? Marks Trading Company
Jay and Gwynne Marks added some spice to their life in 2017 when they began the Marks Trading Company. Their participation with Lenawee Now and Launch Lenawee helped expand their business in new and exciting ways.
An Idea Takes Root
“We were at a farmers market in Columbus, and our daughter was looking at the ingredients of a blend. We thought to ourselves, we could totally do this,” Gwynne said.
Within a few weeks, they had come up with about 20 different blends, which they brought to a local craft show.
“We ended up selling 150 that day,” Jay explained.
Thrilled with their success, the Marks family started bringing their spices to other Farmer’s Markets, including those in Tecumseh and Saline.
“We were getting out there more in our local community which is where we wanted to be,” added Gwynne.
Soon, an opportunity made it possible for them to move their business to the next level.
Winners of the “Idea Genius” award, Jay and Gwynne Marks, for their business idea, The Marks Trading Company.
“We participated in a pitch contest for Lenawee Now, and we won the $1,000 prize they were offering. That really helped us launch into the market,” said Jay.
They used the funds to bump their inventory up to 50 different spice blends by October 2018, when they joined the inaugural class of Launch Lenawee.
“We both have degrees in accounting, so we understood the business side of things. But the program was great for networking and getting over some of the barriers we wouldn’t have been able to otherwise,” Gwynne said.
A Huge Opportunity
Jay and Gwynne graduated the following year, and by summer 2019, the family was approached at the Tecumseh market by someone who worked for a grocery store.
“The following Tuesday we got a call from the Busch’s Fresh Food Market buyer who wanted to get our product in their stores,” Jay said.
Their products were placed in two stores at first but have since expanded.
Besides providing their products to Busch’s, they have expanded their own store to include other items.
“We initially thought we were only going to do spices, but then we wanted to do more. We started with dry goods and then we polled the community and realized they wanted more of a market,” Gwynne said.
Pandemic Swivel
COVID-19 was hard on a lot of businesses, but the owners of Marks Trading Company adjusted their plan to provide for even more customers.
“We weren’t online at the time. We quickly put our website together and started offering local porch delivery,” Gwynne said.
And during the pandemic, Busch’s reached out to package yeast during a nationwide shortage – they filled more than 50,000.
“It’s still on their shelves today,” Jay added.
Launch Lenawee
The couple recommends that other new businesses try the Launch Lenawee program.
“We have learned throughout this process that there are a lot of people who love their concept but don’t understand the business side of it. This really teaches you,” said Jay. “You can just start with an idea, and then it has been turned into a business plan.”
The Launch Lenawee program puts those plans into motion they noted.
“They bring people in from other business specialties to help. This is where you can start to develop your business acumen and learn the skills you need,” Gwynne said. “It’s hard to open a business, and you need all the support you can get.”
Without the program, they believe they would be non-existent, “or at least still schlepping products at the farmer’s market,” Jay said.
Launch Lenawee also helped them learn what they needed to know about food preparation laws, and they made use of its incubator kitchen.
“It allowed us a place to work so we could be licensed,” Gwynne said.
Looking toward the future
Their ultimate goal is to start their own brick-and-mortar market in the downtown Adrian area, offering locally sourced products.
The couple has deep roots in the community, and it’s important to help the Adrian area grow.
“It’s really on us as community members. You have to have the boots on the ground to support it. We’re putting our money where our mouth is,” Jay said.
They would like to carry as much food as possible, featuring healthier options and fresh foods grown locally or regionally.
“Adrian is the county seat for Lenawee County, which is agricultural it doesn’t make sense to get products from California if we can get them locally for most of the year,” Gwynne said.
For now, customers can buy their spices and dry goods in Busch’s stores or online at https://themarkstradingcompany.com/.