Agri-Biz Division

The Veggie Patch, Glasgow, MO

They say good things come in pairs, and Deanna and Jana Thies, the sisters who own The Veggie Patch, are no exception. Not only do they operate the company as a duo, they are also making their second appearance as division winners in the YoungBiz 100. Deanna started the Veggie Patch in 1996 as part of an FFA business project, and discovered she had a knack for growing things. Later, Jana joined the venture as it began to expand. Now co-owners, both girls are involved in every stage of the business, which caters to a surprising niche market. Many of their customers are members of the Asian and Indian communities who come to The Veggie Patch for a particular type of squash. The sisters discovered the demand for this product by mistake, when their mother bought some mixed gourd seeds and the only ones that grew were long, green ones. Just to see what happened, Deanna and Jana took the funky-looking squash to the farmer's market. To their surprise, the Asian customers loved them. Today, the Thies sisters grow over 80 different varieties of fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Due to a low overhead, The Veggie Patch averages a return on investment of well over 100%, offering positive proof that agri-biz is here to stay.

	YoungBiz 100
1	Jana and Deanna Thies, 16 and 19	The Veggie Patch, Glasgow, MO They say good things come in pairs, and Deanna and Jana Thies, the sisters who own The Veggie Patch, are no exception. Not only do they operate the company as a duo, they are also making their second appearance as division winners in the YoungBiz 100. Deanna started the Veggie Patch in 1996 as part of an FFA business project, and discovered she had a knack for growing things. Later, Jana joined the venture as it began to expand. Now co-owners, both girls are involved in every stage of the business, which caters to a surprising niche market. Many of their customers are members of the Asian and Indian communities who come to The Veggie Patch for a particular type of squash. The sisters discovered the demand for this product by mistake, when their mother bought some mixed gourd seeds and the only ones that grew were long, green ones. Just to see what happened, Deanna and Jana took the funky-looking squash to the farmer's market. To their surprise, the Asian customers loved them. Today, the Thies sisters grow over 80 different varieties of fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Due to a low overhead, The Veggie Patch averages a return on investment of well over 100%, offering positive proof that agri-biz is here to stay.
	YoungBiz 100
2	Tim Thorpe, 17	Pumpkins For Sale, Lafayette, NY Tim Thorpe did business for several years as Tim's Pumpkin Patch until an adult competitor a few miles down the road tried to claim the same name. Determined not to let the conflict stop his progress, Tim put up new signs that simply said "Pumpkins for Sale," and the business kept booming. Since the demand for pumpkins is a seasonal thing, Tim has started several additional money-making projects to stay busy. He now repairs small engines, restores antique snowmobiles, and sells firewood. What does he do in his spare time? He raises cattle, manages his finances with a money market account, and donates extra pumpkins to local schools and churches.
	YoungBiz 100
3	Maggie and Allie Cawood-Smith, both 13	Beet Lips, Auburn, CA Beet Lips is a creamy ointment or lip balm invented almost two years ago by Maggie and Allie Cawood-Smith. Today they sell Beet Lips in tiny, hand-decorated tins at local stores in their hometown, as well as through their mom's mail order herb catalog. Customers say Beet Lips is an awesome lip gloss, but some even use the product to soothe cuts, bruises, and sunburns. The twins discovered Beet Lips while trying to concoct lipstick for a home-school project. They missed the mark on the lipstick, but hit the bulls-eye with a thriving business.