Today we’d like to introduce you to Christopher Gerard.
Hi Christopher, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started off growing mushrooms in the backyard in buckets. I really found great joy in the process of growing them. I was talking about it at work and a few guys I worked with stated if I would ever want to sell them they would buy them. I grew my first 1.5 lb of mushrooms and took them to work. They bought them and it spread like wildfire. The business has slowly grown from selling to coworkers and friends to having my gourmet mushrooms and mushroom products in multiple retail stores and in restaurants. We are currently renovating an 1800 sqft space for growing in Duncan SC. The new space will give us more flexibility to bring more fresh gourmet mushrooms to our current customers and expand.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Growing mushrooms has been extremely rewarding. To do it constantly is the toughest part. I also work a full-time job, so juggling the time needed for the mushrooms with that and family life can be difficult at times. Additionally, trying to manage the growing cycle can be challenging, as timing everything to have the right number of mushrooms ready for a specific delivery or market days takes a lot of work.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I have a very colorful background. From delivering medical equipment to people’s houses for 10 plus years, going back to school after starting a family, getting into industrial maintenance and eventually working on robots, to now growing gourmet mushrooms.
What makes you happy?
My wife and kids. Knowing that I am doing something that will add value to my family and give my kids something they could expand on in their future.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Wildlylovedmushrooms.com
- Instagram: Wildly Loved Mushrooms LLC
- Facebook: Wildly Loved Mushrooms LLC
