From Pork Rinds to Community Groceries: A Rural Success Story with Kelly Perry of Perry's Pork Rinds

In this episode of Retail Retold, Chris Ressa chats with Kelly Perry, co-owner of Perry's Pork Rinds and Country Store in Bronson, Kansas. Kelly shares her journey from starting an e-commerce pork rind business to owning a multi-SKU grocery store in a town of 304 people. Faced with numerous challenges, including licensing, food handling certification, and the COVID-19 pandemic, Kelly and her husband transitioned from their full-time jobs to build a thriving rural grocery store. With a focus on community relationships, local sourcing, and innovative product offerings, Perry's Pork Rinds and Country Store has become a local favorite and achieved significant growth. Kelly's inspiring story underscores resilience and entrepreneurial spirit, making this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in community-focused business success.

00:00 Introduction to Retail Retold

00:22 Meet Kelly Perry: From Kansas to pork rinds

01:18 The Unexpected journey to retail

02:35 Building a business from scratch

04:19 Expanding during the pandemic

06:15 Creating a micro grocery store

08:30 Learning the retail ropes

11:41 Community engagement and produce programs

13:39 The popularity of fresh produce

16:01 The difference between pork rinds and cracklins

18:20 24-Hour access inspiration

19:50 Website impressions and social media

20:14 Sales and Growth Journey

21:25 Expanding beyond the store

22:24 Online sales and email marketing

23:40 Local sourcing and community engagement

26:24 Building the store and overcoming challenges

28:29 Unique products and customer service

32:05 Future plans and pork rind expansion

34:48 Fun questions and conclusion