The Good Earth Peanut Company, LLC

The Good Earth Peanut Company started the way a lot of businesses start…. As an idea. Since the Vincent family settled in the Skippers area in the early 1700’s, they tilled the soil and raised crops. When peanuts came to the area around 1830, they grew them too.

Lindsey was born and reared on the family farm and peanuts were the main crop. Throughout the early 1980’s, drought and high production costs had taken a toll on the family farm, leaving little to entice family back to the area. In spite of the economic conditions, Lindsey returned to the family farm in 1981 after finishing college and began to develop a business packing and selling peanuts. The Good Earth Peanut Company, purveyors of gourmet peanut products, was successfully established in the Vincent home in 1989.

The Vincents were like most entrepreneurs, working until 3 a.m. cooking and packaging their wares. The business was still part time, as the Vincents continued to work their “day jobs” faithfully. In 1991, the Vincents purchased a warehouse originally built by the Vincent family and moved the operation out of their home.

Lindsey and Scott are still thriving, setting goals, and demanding nothing less than 100% customer satisfaction. Product lines include basic roasted peanuts as well as other gourmet selections such as chocolate covered peanut brittle. Markets have grown to include internet (www.goodearthpeanuts.com) and catalog sales as well as traditional wholesale and retail outlets. Over 30% of sales originate with large convenience store chains.

In February 2003, The Vincents had survived the recent holiday season at full capacity. Realizing that the current facilities would not contain any further growth, the Vincents contacted the Emporia/Greensville IDC to search for ways to finance an expansion. The Vincents were introduced to the Longwood Small Business Development Center and to The Crater Development Company for financing proposal assistance.

Working with LSBDC, Lindsey was able to construct a financial analysis and a financing proposal that outlined financial requirements of the expansion as well as the expected increase in production and profitability. This proposal was presented to the Crater Development Company and the Bank of Southside for consideration under the Crater Revolving Loan fund program. All parties, coordinating through the Emporia Greensville IDC, worked together toward approval and closure in November 2003. The Vincents are now working through another hectic holiday season… this time with more capacity and success than ever before!

Lindsey and Scott Tucker Vincent (Longwood ’78) had this to say about their experience: “It takes a team of business professionals to create a successful business venture. We had many valuable resources in our endeavor…. The Longwood SBDC, Emporia Greensville IDC, our Board of Supervisors, the Bank of Southside, and Crater Development Company. They were all critical partners in this expansion process.”