Growing up in a small family business has definitely made a huge impact on my life and perspective on things. Having a small business ultimately impacts every area of your life and your family. People outside often see the prices you charge, the products you make, the ability to make your own schedule. What those who have never been in a small business family don't see, is the late nights and early mornings spent away from family to take care of issues that come up in the business, they don't see the constant worrying over expenses and the cost of doing business, they don't see the paperwork and time spent behind the scenes, they don't see the stress of handling unhappy customers, they don't see the heart and soul poured into a dream. These are all just a few of the struggles that small business owners and their families know all too well. Shaffer Venison Farms is one of those local small family run businesses, and they are looking to build their dreams and expand their reach.
When Kim with Shaffer Venison Farms reached out to me about photographing their products, I was truly excited! I love opportunities to work with local business owners to improve their business and I love building relationships with the owners and learning about their business. Shaffer Venison Farms has definitely been a blast for me to work with! It's not everyday I get to eat the things I photograph, and I do love some good venison! Shaffer Venison Farms currently sells their products all over the United States, but they are also working on going international! It's so awesome to see a small family run business in our little area able to do such amazing things and reach so far!
When you support a small business, you aren't just buying a product. You are helping to not only support their family, but also all the families they employ. Working for a small business is nothing like working for bigger companies. In a small business, you are a person, often you are just a number in a large company, and this concept applies to customers too! A small business will notice and appreciate a loyal customer, they will learn to remember them by name and truly value them and care about them as a person. This is an experience that you can only get with small businesses like Shaffer Venison Farms. Small businesses also make a difference in their local communities. Through sponsoring and supporting local events and non profits, local small businesses make a big impact on their community.
Shaffer Venison Farms has shown they care about their product and their community for the last 20 years. They are dedicated to producing chemical free, nutritious venison products for both people and their furry friends to enjoy. Anyone who knows me knows that I love good wholesome and chemical free products, especially when it comes to my dogs! They care about quality and make sure that you get the same product every single time. I have no doubt that these traits are some of the factors that have contributed to their success, that along with their determination and work ethic!
This project was no quick process and involved two phases. The first phase Kim and I spent quite a few hours in the studio together photographing every packaged item and their labels. Kim had spent a good deal of time picking out the most beautifully packaged products and bringing fresh labels. I had a very nice time chatting away and getting to know Kim as we talked about our families and she told me about her family's business. I remember growing up when they raised the deer for their products right in Dalmatia, driving past the deer farms and seeing them graze in the pasture. I never would have thought back then that someday I would photograph all their products! I always love brainstorming ways to help my business clients show off their products, so we decided to put together some party platters and charcuterie boards. This was a lot of fun for me because I enjoy being able to be creative with my work, even when I am working with meat snacks and summer sausage!
The second phase took a good bit of collaborating and planning. We thought it would be really great to show off the frozen cuts of meat in ways they could be prepared, and who better to have prepare the meats than another local business! Kim made arrangements with Penn's Tavern for their chef to create dishes that would best showcase these products. In addition, we thought it would be a great way to showcase their venison dog treats by sharing some of them with a local dog rescue, Mostly Mutts of Sunbury. With a good bit of planning we were able to sort a day out to make it all happen at Penn's Tavern. We started off by feeding some of the sweet pooches from Mostly Mutts their dog treats. Princess especially loved her venison treats and was leaping for joy to get more! It was a wonderful experience to spoil some adorable dogs that didn't have the best of beginnings with some special treats.
After that it was on to the cooked food, and boy oh boy was that a mouthwatering good time! Every single dish Chef Mike brought out looked and smelled even better than the last. Somehow even the hot dogs looked incredible! Kim even brought along a bottle of wine from another local business that sells some of their products, Broad Mountain Winery. We couldn't have asked for more perfect weather or a more beautiful location to show off these delicacies. The view on the lawn by the river was made all the more lovely by the dishes that kept coming out, one after another. We were both amazed by all the fabulous dishes that Chef Mike came up with using the venison products from Shaffer Venison Farms. It was a feast for the senses to say the least! Kim was even so kind as to send some of the dishes home with me, which not only was I grateful for, but so was my then-fiance-now-husband!
So the next time you're looking to order a meat gift basket online from a company far away, why not check out Shaffer Venison Farms instead! You can support a local business and share unique meat products with friends and family! Or if you're looking for a special treat for your canine friend, or want to buy some for someone else's dog, the mutts at Mostly Mutts gave their stamp of approval to the dog treats that Shaffer Venison Farms sells! There are always ways to support a local business, even if you are a hunter like me!
In working with Kim and Shaffer Venison Farms, I didn't just get better acquainted with their products. I got to see some of what goes on behind the scenes in their business life, I was able to learn about the struggles they face in their business and the sacrifices they make. I had the opportunity to help another small business make their dreams come true, the way mine are coming to life, and I absolutely loved every minute of it. I am so thankful that Kim reached out to me and gave me this opportunity to photograph their products, and for the chance to meet another dreamer that doesn't just dream, but also puts themselves out there and makes those dreams become a reality! Thank you for trusting me with this task, and I am excited to see where your business goes!!!
Be sure to follow these amazing local Businesses (and Dog Rescue) on Facebook:
Shaffer Venison Farms, Penn's Tavern, Mostly Mutts of Sunbury PA, Broad Mountain Winery
