How Shannon Houchin Made $2 Million From Pop-Up Peach Stands

Shannon Houchin’s journey into the peach-selling business wasn’t exactly predictable. Trained as a librarian and a journalist, she had spent years doing in-depth research and even worked in corporate financial research.

But when personal hardships struck—including her father’s illness and a divorce—Shannon sought something more tangible and meaningful.

That’s when an old friend introduced her to the world of roadside peach stands.

Though skeptical at first, Shannon took the plunge, traveling to South Carolina with her young son Finn to learn the business from the ground up.

That summer, she gained hands-on experience, from working in orchards to setting up and running roadside stands. By the end of the season, she was hooked—and ready to start her own peach-selling venture.

Don’t miss this episode where she breaks down the entire process and shares her incredible journey to success.

Watch the Full Episode

Scaling Up: From One Stand to an Empire

Shannon didn’t start small. Instead of launching a single stand, she went all in, opening 100 peach stands in her first summer.

The result?

A crash course in business logistics, problem-solving, and scaling quickly. Despite early mistakes, she learned how to streamline the process, making it repeatable and easy to train others—mainly high school and college students—to run the stands.

Some key aspects of scaling included:

• Identifying prime locations with high visibility and easy access
• Standardizing stand setup with white tents, banners, and signage
• Training staff to handle sales, customer service, and inventory management
• Developing a system for sourcing and distributing peaches daily

Her approach paid off. That first year, the business generated $2 million in gross sales, and over time, she honed a system that allowed for flexible scaling based on her lifestyle and business goals.

The Appeal of Roadside Peaches

A big part of Roadside Republic’s success lies in understanding consumer psychology. Unlike peaches found in grocery stores—which are often stored in refrigeration for weeks, reducing flavor—Shannon’s peaches are fresh, fragrant, and naturally ripened.

Customers are drawn in by nostalgia and the sensory experience of seeing, touching, and smelling real farm-fresh produce.

Additionally, grocery store peaches are bred for durability and aesthetics, while Shannon’s peaches, though sometimes imperfect in appearance, deliver unmatched flavor.

This fundamental difference has been a key selling point and a major driver of repeat business.

Running the Business: A Day in the Life

Operating multiple stands requires careful logistics. A typical day includes:

• Sourcing fresh peaches from trusted orchards or brokers
• Delivering inventory to multiple stand locations
• Managing staff schedules for two daily shifts per stand
• Tracking sales and collecting earnings, which are still largely cash-based
• Adjusting inventory to minimize waste and maximize profitability

One challenge early on was predicting demand accurately to avoid spoilage. Peaches have a short shelf life, so Shannon had to refine her forecasting to ensure that each stand received just the right amount of inventory.

Over time, she perfected this process, even finding ways to sell “imperfect” fruit to local businesses for jam-making, ice cream, and other uses.

Expanding into E-Commerce and Online Sales

Initially, Roadside Republic relied entirely on impulse purchases from passing drivers. But in recent years, Shannon has embraced digital marketing and online sales, significantly expanding the business.

Some of the online initiatives include:

• A website for ordering peaches and other fresh produce for pickup or delivery
• Subscription services for regular customers who want guaranteed fresh fruit
• Live shopping events on TikTok and Facebook to engage new customers
• Local delivery services managed by student employees during the summer months

Online sales now make up about 25% of the company’s overall revenue—a huge leap from its original brick-and-mortar roadside model.

Lessons Learned and Challenges Overcome

Building a multi-million dollar business didn’t come without challenges. Some of the biggest learning moments included:

• Forecasting demand to avoid costly spoilage
• Optimizing trucking logistics to ensure smooth operations
• Leveraging storytelling to build brand loyalty and justify premium pricing
• Adapting to customer needs, such as adding delivery options and expanding product offerings

One of the biggest revelations for Shannon was the power of community engagement. Customers weren’t just buying peaches—they were looking for connection, nostalgia, and a sense of trust in where their food came from. By focusing on transparency and storytelling, she built a customer base that not only buys but advocates for her brand.

What’s Next for Roadside Republic?

Now in its 12th year, Roadside Republic is making another major shift: opening its first-ever physical store. After years of operating seasonal pop-up stands, the demand for a permanent location became too great to ignore.

With this new store, Shannon and Finn aim to provide customers with a year-round destination for fresh produce and local goods.

Additionally, they’ve turned their experience into a course that teaches others how to start their own roadside produce business. This step allows them to share their knowledge while also creating an additional revenue stream.

Final Thoughts

Roadside Republic is proof that old-school business models, when combined with smart scaling and modern marketing, can thrive in today’s economy. What started as a summer experiment has evolved into a flexible, scalable, and highly profitable venture.

For aspiring entrepreneurs looking for a business with low startup costs and high profit potential, roadside produce stands might just be the hidden gem they’ve been searching for.

Links & Resources

Source