What Small Business Owners Say - Part 3

Click here for Part 1 | Part 2

In Part 3 of our What Small Business Owners Say series, we speak with Katie Rowan, the owner of Fresh Picked Vegetarian Delicatessen* in North East, PA. Fresh Picked opened in July of 2008. Currently Fresh Picked offers take out and delivery.

Kristine: What made you decide to start your own business?

Katie: I've been teaching cooking classes for the past 10 years and have had hundreds of people tell me I should open a restaurant. Both my parents own their own businesses (R.W. Rowan and daughters, Clymer Hardware & Melva's Beauty Salon) and I know what it takes to make it work in a small town.

Kristine: Why did you decide to open a vegetarian deli?

Katie: That's where my talent lies. I've been a vegetarian for 18 years and my mom was an excellent cook. I learned to make healthy and delicious food- it's an ongoing challenge- and even meat and potato kinda folks love it.

Kristine: What has been your best form of advertising so far?

Katie: It's hard to say, I feel like I'm always networking in one way or another. They say word of mouth is where it's at, and I think thats true, but I think you have to use all forms.

Our interview with Katie Rowan continues tomorrow.

*Fresh Picked Vegetarian Delicatessen, inside Mary's Select Foods, is located at 22 South Lake St., North East, PA 16428 Phone:(814)725-5227. Made to Order 11-3 Sunday through Friday, Grab and Go during Mary's hours (Sat-Tues 9-5; Wed-Fri 11-7). Fresh Picked Deli's fabulous menu features 7 layer burritos, portabella cheezsteaks, hummus avocado wraps and much more. Fresh Picked strives to use local and organic foods and is always making healthy food that tastes GOOD!