An Inspired Chat with Betsy Hess of Fountain Hills

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Betsy Hess. Check out our conversation below.

Betsy, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do you think is misunderstood about your business? 
I think people think running a Farmers Market is a once a week, 8 hours a week job? But it’s not!! I work 40-50 hours a week on this job. I have to constantly recruit new Vendors to discover my Market to either get on a wait list to come in or to fill in for a Vendor that quits suddenly. Vendors are people that have a small business as a side hustle or a full type life style. So life happens to make them not come one week or stop coming all together, and replacement businesses are needed. I am a good Recruiter, that is 25% of my job!!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hey, I am Betsy Hess a 20 year resident of Fountain Hills and organizer, manager and run 3 different Farmers Markets here in Fountain Hills through out the year. My summer Markets are the FH Sweet Corn Market 5 Saturdays in June, my FH Peach Markets are the last 2 Saturdays in August & 4 Saturdays in September. Then the Big weekly one, is the FH Farmers Market which starts the first Wednesday in November and runs through the last Wednesday in April each year.
All 3 Farmers Markets are unique in their own way. My FH Farmers Market on Wednesday has 65 Food & Health/Wellness Vendors, 5 food Trucks and 2 Music areas. A beautiful park like setting in the Heart of Fountain Hills located on the Ave of the Fountains. The 2 Specialty Markets – FH Sweet Corn & Peach Markets are summer markets located at the FH Tractor Supply. We have over 30 Vendors, and 3 Food Trucks in their parking lot.
I grew up in rural Michigan on a horse farm and always had a love for fresh fruits and vegetables. No matter where I go I can’t pass up a Farmers Market, or a roadside stand. Attending a Farmers Market while I am visiting family or on Vacation is a must, because I always like to see new and different Vendors. It’s a great way for me to see if there is anything I am missing out on at my Markets.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
I believe my father taught me the most about work! Living on a farm there is always something to do. He was a traveling Manager of a retail tire company. He would always say little one liners like –
Hard work always pays off!
Keep busy even when you are not.
Don’t stand around, find something to do like, clean off the tables, sweep the floor.
If I was disappointed his favorite was “If there’s a will, there’s a way”

What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
I lost my husband at age 39 and had 3 boys to raise. After the first year of deep sorrow, and as hard as it was, I had to live a life of purpose for my family. Life was never the same, but I raised those 3 boys and all went off to college, and made a good life for themselves. I am so proud of them and who they are today.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
This question is easy, my sister Laura. She is smart and kind. Worked in the medical field as a Nurse Practitioner for over 40 years. She practices mindfulness and she is my go to person for all my problems, medical or personal. The only power she has over me, is that she is older than me, haha.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What will you regret not doing? 
I regret living so far away from my sons and grandchildren in Ohio. I cherish the times I travel back there 5 or 6 times a year to see them. But the grandkids are growing so fast. I miss them dearly!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.fountainhillsfarmersmarket.com
• Instagram: fountainhillsfarmersmarket
• Facebook: Fountain Hills Farmers Market

Image Credits
Betsy Hess