How He Turned $1k Into $12k/ Month from Microgreens (Local CEO Show Ep. 03 Donny Greens)
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- Опубликовано: 6 фев 2025
- This is episode 3 of the Local CEO Show, where we find and highlight local entrepreneurs that are doing big things.
In today's episode, we are highlighting a Microgreens business and interviewing @DonnyGreens. Donny Greens has scaled his own Microgreens business to over $150k per year and helped many others do the same.
We get into how to start a Microgreens business, how much time it takes to run one, how much money it can make, and more!
Resources mentioned in the video:
Donny's channel: @DonnyGreens
Learn How To Grow Microgreens: onetrayaway.com?affiliate_id=4120449
Seeds: sunflowersuper...
Trays (Black): shrsl.com/1vc3b
Need help scaling your own local business? ➡️ scalelocal.com/
Join Donny's Challenge here: onetrayaway.com?affiliate_id=4120449
the audio is very low
Has Donny released his software yet. And is he still growing ???
Did he also have lots of help and have a lot of contacts in the industries involved as well.
I bet he did.
The trick isn't growing, it's finding a consumer for your goods. If the city you live in is already saturated with growers, it's going to be difficult to break in. Donny had the good luck of finding an opening in the market to exploit, if you don't have the same hole in your local market, growing micro greens probably not as easy as Donny makes it seem like.
Agreed
Also how do you get a licence to be allowed to sell something like that?
quite cynical I think. We all have gaps in the market in our areas, there's thousands of things to grow. The secret is hard work, doing your homework, finding those suppliers and actually puting thier ideas into practice with th skils and business protocols.
That’s agriculture, you don’t grow for income, unless you first have a demand and you grow for that demand. Otherwise, you’ll always be growing and trying to sell, and that’s not sustainable
@@PazLeBon you just admitted that there are OTHER things to grow, which was my point, just because you CAN grow micro greens, doesn't mean you have a local market for those. There MIGHT be a market for OTHER produce, but all the hard work in the world isn't going to pay off unless you KNOW where the hole in the market is, otherwise you're competing against established producers, good luck with that.
Just a tip, adding timestamps for each question can add a lot of quality to the video. Great video, btw.
I also enjoyed this video! Great interview questions! Well done. 😊
I feel like everybody who grows micro greens also sells courses, for some reason anyone who has a small business and sells courses throws red flags for me.
I’ve never seen a a micro green video without a how to course they are selling too. I think that speaks volumes about the industry haha.
yeah pretty sad
People who don't make enough money with their real business also sell courses. Means they LOSE MONEY on their real company.
Most folks who have RUclips channels have courses that relate to whatever they are doing. It's a source of secondary income, which just bolsters the main income from the business. Having multiple streams of income flowing into your business is a good thing. It's kind of like that saying, "If you're good at something, never do it for free."
@@magpieonline4801 Sadly that's bullshit. Same with all the "Dropshipping Gurus" that sell courses. Why should you sell courses on how you exactly make money when this obviously damages your profit? If someone has a big social media presence and sells public courses on how he does it he is scamming people. Pretty easy
@@pascalhanzo2732 I mean, if you're stupid enough to buy courses from a "Dropshipping Guru" with a video like a bad commercial, sure...lol
I think the difference between those courses and courses offered by microgreens businesses is that there's value to be found in these. Not everybody has a green thumb or has a good understanding of how to grow greens. Some folks aren't good at selling or don't have a good marketing strategy. Others don't have time to go to their local community college to get the same course for the same amount (or more) out of pocket. I think courses are completely up to the person and whether or not they have the time and disposable income to pay for a course. Some folks do. Others, like myself, don't. So I don't bother with the courses.
Growing is easy .. selling is hard... selling for high margins is REALY HARD WORK.
Was super fun to hang with you bro!!! Lets definitely hang out more!!! 🌱🌱
100% man! Thanks for all the value 🔥
how saturated is this market? if it has such a low barrier to entry and high profit margins, why wouldn't every farmer's market already have a micro greens stand? furthermore, since one micro green is much the same as the next, how do you differentiate yourself? i wonder how much of your success is due to you catching this food trend on the way up and snagging market share when there was still plenty to be had? also, if you have a direct to consumer model, how much of your success is due to the prominence of your RUclips channel; i'm sure you convert a lot of customers that way too, right? in short, how has the market changed since you were first starting out and how might this temper your exuberance?
@@user-pg7uj4bp4q I have a connection to the market in Georgia. This market is very location specific. Communities that don’t have an interest in sustainable and healthy food do not buy this product. However, in the right location (affluent, health conscious neighborhoods and towns) this is a great business model because large producers dont grow it in large quantities, and what the big names can grow, is of lackluster quality. Those locations are more geared to local food anyways. So yeah it can be done, and the demand is there for several growers to be in the market at any given time, given the tight location.
You are a legend bro much appreciate the honesty
Most wholesome use I ever seen of a plant emoji lol
He’s dropping so many jewels. Appreciate that! ❤
That’s amazing who’s buying? I make my own but I don’t think I’ve ever been next to someone at the grocery store buying microgreens.
Chillax guy, very down to earth. Good job on interviewing him, well done! Thank you a lot brother!
I bought the trays you suggested and WOW! They're built really well! These are thick and sturdy! Appreciate the info and video.
"This video is amazing! at 6:00 Your passion and dedication to sustainable agriculture shines through. Thank you for sharing such valuable content!"
“I’m a bit of a procrastinator here and there” is so relatable 😂 Gives me hope that I can do it, loved the video 😊
You can definitely do it!
Yeah you'll never get round to even attempting this...
people who say that have no idea what procrastination really is bro, it's highly assertive people attempting to be relatable. That's it.
Big fan of donny got my own microgreen biz he helped me when getting started big time
That’s awesome! He’s a great guy
Where do yall sell it?
I'd say 20% effort into growing it, and 80% into selling it. Unless one is close to a big, well-populated city with a lot of demand for novelty/healthy food, I would not give up on my daytime job.
Exactly. Most microgreens growers are selling online couses and living from YT adds. 500 $ per rack 😅
Yeah I have no idea how he can make $500 from one rack.. who is buying that?
@@elliotthuff5634 one tray is $15-$20
No idea what micro greens normally cost but that's maybe... Not unreasonable ?
Your not supposed to your supposed to add it to you work for more profit or advangaesn using the food! It would also save some money on groceries. Until you can make it passive.
@@GGTanguera i dont think so i bet its the other way around he makes money off his microgreens then scaled it into yt videos bc he saw it as another buisness opportunity as well as helpful for starter micro growers
Great interview. I purchased Donny's One Tray Away challeng. I'm now growing microgreens regularly for myself in my 128 sq RV trailer! I noticed cognitive improvment as I"m an old guy. Manufacturing farming is collapsing and the quality is poor. Local Gardens are the future, i.e. Urban Farming is the way to go. Taking Mr. Green's lead and learning how to grow first and expanding into growing cherry tomattos as my next crop. I am also interested in growing lion's mane mushrooms as my business takes off.
That’s awesome! Way to take action man
I hope I can still do the challenge….😊
Very interested in lions mane too.
You seem sincere an legit, very cool. Yes, been on powdered microgreens an quality of health higher..lions mane is great for memory, look into methylene blue too. My mom had a tumor pre-Covid, we forced greens in, sugars out and all the above mentioned, tumor was no longer there.. Downfall, she went back to high sugar. Life is what we make of it, buy quality time and raise thy frequency. Cheers bud
Wow. I heard about micro greens it would seem like months ago but just a little about how good it is and basically forgot about them. All of a sudden this popped up & grabbed my interest.
I am so happy that i made a productive decision about my finances that changed my life forever. I am a single mother and i live in Florida, i bought my first house in September and i hope to retire next year at 50 if all goes well. Thanks to Mrs Judith M Layton for helping me achieve this.
Wow. I'm a bit perplexed seeing her been mentioned here also Didn’t know she has been good to so many people too this is wonderful, I'm in my fifth trade with her and it has been super.
I just withdrew my profits a week ago, To be honest it was an amazing feeling when the profits hits my wallet I wish I could reinvest more but, too much bills
You trade with Judith M Layton too? Wow that woman has been a blessing to me and my family
I'm new at this, please how can I reach her?
I was skeptical at first until I decided to try. It’s huge returns is awesome! I can’t say much.
I love how this video has become the “breakaway” for your channel. A lot of potential, and I love the idea. Keep it up man! Subscribed
Thanks I really appreciate it!
This is a great series - really hope you keep generating this type of content.
Thanks a lot Stephan!
Nice video brother! I made about $1,000 bucks selling to my buddys food truck! Mostly drank a bunch of PBR...................... subscribed!
I literally can't believe you didn't ask him how much of his own crops he eats and why.
I'm on the journey of starting microgreens business in the UK. I originally wanted to do it 5 years ago. Gotta just start and make it happen.
so 6 months later can you tell me how is that going?
Still wanting to start i think @@luisbaldaia9897
I love this guys energy...he is humble... forthcoming and giving with his knowledge and things he has learned.... thank you brotha much appreciated 💯
Y.A.K im about to jump on this band wagon 💯 micro greens is the future
I first came across Donny when intervied on a channel growing your greens, in his early days, and have followed him ever since. Donny says it how it is, a great inspiration for people and for those wanting to get into microgreens you will know what to expect, and he is very helpful if you message him with a problem on the subject.
Yeah he’s a great guy!
Con Artist, this stuff doesn't sell. Thats why he sells courses and etc.@@tylertumminelli
lol knowledge silos are funny. Commercial scale micro-green farms have been around for decades.
This vid randomly came up on my feed while I was trying to look up growing plants with water lol. I have to say that if you did not explain what your videos were about (local businesses) within the first few minutes, I don't think I would have been motivated to continue watching, let alone subscribe immediately like I did lol. I think you were real and that's the best. Also with the beginning it could have been filmed a little bit more smoother/clearer/louder, but you're doing great and you're putting yourself out there. That's what matters. Great vid!
Thanks tyler for sharing this documentary, one tip maybe in next time you and both speakers can sit in front of the plants/background and chat like podcast. Not like standing around 28 minutes :)
Great content brother! Thank you for the insight. Keep up the hard work! 💪
Spicy mustache is such a great teacher too love that guy
As in any business, the question is demand and customers. So if you had four of those racks going, let’s say, can you build up your customers do you think there’s enough customer base to even sell for racks worth of material?
First off, really amazing interview. Fantastic questions. You asked all the right questions. But the audio was a bit off. The volume is a bit on the lower side and the over all audio quality could improve a bit :)
Thanks a lot really appreciate it! Yeah I screwed up with the microphone and we had an issue lol. Will try to not allow that to happen again!
Thx for posting. Great info for ppl who wanna grow these. You'd need to buy lotza seeds & medium right constantly, as part of overhead. I wonder if that $1000 is Gross or Net. I have been looking at growing sprouts- no grow lights or medium.
Link to the lights used? Also do you use trays with or without holes in the bottom?
I have a plant and soil science education with Ag biz. I don't believe these numbers or everyone would do it. They are waiting for cannabis and microgreens comes along? Please
Hey I really like this , as someone who owns 2 small local businesses and 1 of them having to do with plants this is something that I know a bit about so it’s very interesting
You can grow segregated varieties in a single tray which works for a single person or small families, make sure your varieties grow at the same rate. I learned more than a few things watching this video. Thanks
Been growing cannabis for 10+ years and I think I will start this up for extra $. also mushrooms
Fire or boof❔️
Those are some absolutely beautiful greens bro.
Sounds great, but why wouldn't there be big companies producing Microgreens at scale?
Great interview. Not too long. Informative, interesting. Spot on.
Good video and everything... But what i dont get is how a FARMER needs microgreens... Like what are they going to do with them... And how can they be so expensive to buy for his customers?
Thank you for your awnser...
Great video and great content but for improving the value of the content further I would suggest adding timestamps to the topics of the video. It would make it so much smoother to review certain topics or tips that I feel I didn't understand or don't remember well enough. Love the video and thank you for making it!
Thanks a lot for the feedback! Appreciate it
How about hydrophonics? Any testing for forever chemicals by your water and earth suppliers?
Great video! your questions and format are super chill and well-thought-out, keep up the awesome video series
Thanks a lot man really appreciate it!
Great interview! Learned a lot, thanks!
Hi, good video, except that the audio is not clear. The sound volume is very low which makes it hard to understand.
Micro greens is definitely a business I'd love to have. Thanks for the video!
You got this!
How has your micro green been
Who does he sell the micro green's too? What's the process of that? The legal side to it and the harvest to sell would be cool video watch.
It's not about growing; it's about selling.
No one ever wants to talk margins
Margins and spreadsheets aren’t sexy lol 😂
What kind of lights and watts are the grow lights....and whats the size of the containers of micro greens your selling....like a lettuce bag size or ?
Use a lapel mic your piece to camera will come across much better and retain more viewers. Sound is the most important thing.
Nice! How much of his business is for energy and water utility bills?
why there is only link to a site that sells seeds and hoodies, where is the site for subscribing to microgreens delivery?
Will Allen of Growing Power. Recipient of the MacArthur Foundation's genius grant.2008
His vision and fortitude is legendary in the city of Milwaukee.
It was inspiring to work there.
do you have a step by step course where i can translate it into italian? how much does the course cost?
Hey man what has been your response when small seeds get stuck to your plants. I’m growing broccoli and I have little seeds i between the greens. Should they be there or not. Thanks dude
I like the idea for that series. You could make it a tad more entertaining and structured for the viewer. Introduction, wrap up, chapters, some overlays (for the links and such) maybe show some of his process, like harvest or delivery. Nice video, nice dudes both of you. Good luck!
Thanks a lot max! Good feedback
Agreed. Over lay some of the interview points over b roll. Show the set up in more detail. Have them run through an entire grow cycle with you etc
The audio is too quiet too
Just ask ChatGPT for a summary.
agreed, i was looking for something more. like a recap, or even some clips of him cutting the greens, selling them etc..prices.
I would develop some favorite recipes/dishes to utilize the microgreens that you sell and include that with their purchase. Great video!
Not mentioning the electricity bill to keep the lights is just one of the "hidden" costs not mentioned
led lights make it super sustainable and cheap
If you take your trays to your customers? How you keep reusing the same trays?
Good interviews on you for asking some on the fly questions I was wondering about too.
Thanks a lot! Appreciate it
Wish there was a focus on marketing and unloading product.
I'm a chef, and we used to work with microgreens a lot for decoration of plates. But what we had usually was directly the small tray, to be able to cut and use what you have to use directly, to keep it more fresh. When cut they last very little time as they start to wither very fast. So do you know if there's a practical way to cut the soil and place the grown seedlings in smaller trays for resale? Or is it better to directly sow in those small trays? I'd like to try something like that to sell to some restaurants I know that could be interested.
I'm new to microgreens, but I've seen microgreen sellers providing "living flats". I wonder if that's what you're referring to or if they go by another name?
@@AllD3y yes, live trails, anyway I guess they are directly planting in smaller ones.
Soil has no place in a proffesional kitchen due to pathogens.
Then you have to look for some "inert" medium like hemp matting or something.
That can be cut into smaller pieces and put into a plastic container, or sell a Stainless Steel container for in the kitchen and make a Refill package with a inflated plastic bag and the piece of matting with microgreens in it.
Good job! Plus, I always love watching @DonnyGreens! Smart man!
You talked about it, but I would imagine a huge benefit of microgreens compared to other crops is the fact that any "catastrophic crop loss" is usually only the result of a week or two of work. Growing stuff that takes months and requires a certain timeline (can't be replanted) is stressful
How do you find the people to spend that kind of money on your stuff though? i love growing plants for myself and could definitely do something like this growing wise, but not sure where to bring it to get that kind of money?
Do you have to have insurance to sell to grocers?
How do you find buyers
my problem has always been sourcing affordable seeds... could never draft a profitable business plan because of this issue
I did microgreens but they got moldy too often and no one to sell em to except expensive farmers market
If it was such a lucrative business, the best biggest man would not be a RUclipsr
Harvest and delivery definitely time consuming so is planning goes much faster if things are prepped before hand like seed so you can bump everything out fast
Thankyou for the info, the sound is really poor, please remake this, cheers
Volume is a bit low
Had to turn it up to the max to hear
Ya sorry had a microphone issue!
@@tylertumminelli - Great video otherwise. I like what you’re doing. Keep it up!
@@brandonleesanders Appreciate it Brandon!
Does he sell a course?
the volume is extremely very poor in this video. please check on your volume when recording.
Ya I mentioned it in the comments before that I had a microphone issue. Sorry about that
Really enjoyed your interview. Looking to make micro greens for my family and this video really helped! Thank you! Loved the RUclips tips also!!😊🪴🍀
Awesome job finding a way to add value in so many ways! This is probably more sustainable that shipping greens from California to other parts of the country. Love your perspective on the trays and stickers. Closed loop system 😊.
If anybody is curious what this business would look like on a large scale, Koppert Cress is the leading company worldwide growing and selling microgreens. Their product development is pretty insane, they have about 20 trademarked microgreens already. It almost feels strange that they don't mention this company, but it's probably only because it's not in the USA.
That’s awesome thanks for the info!
mmmm nothing better than trademarked foods -.- i'll take homie's small batch production anyday.
@@bobtoo9870 You obviously didn't look into the company I linked. It's like I showed you a Tesla and you started complaining about exhaust fumes.
Some of the most natural and healthy foods on the planet are trademarked, you seem to think it is only negative. You from the USA?
@@ef4947 it's like we're watching a small dairy farm talk about their special cheese and you come here and mention how Kraft has patents on 20 different powdered cheeses. Funny they didn't bring up Kraft foods in the video.
@@donttrickimtricky.8567 The fact that you think Koppert Cress would be like Kraft in your analogy shows me you don't know what you're talking about, probably just here for a confrontation. Also I mentioned trademarks and you are talking about patents, which are two completely different and unrelated entities; a natural food can have a trademark, a natural food cannot have a patent. Good luck to you.
So people eat these, instead of planting them and growing them out?
De cuanto son esos Led?? Gracias 👍💪
Bro. You were definitely growing some fire.
But how do they get people to buy Thier microgreens
He mentions it in the video that he started with local farmers markets
very useful and informative presentation you put together
Thanks Joshua! Glad you enjoyed
Really enjoyed watching this very informative video. Thank you.
You’re welcome!
I've now subscribed. We'll done.
Where to get a license to sell it in EU - germany?
Should I buy the tray with holes or without?
Love how quiet this was. It's like listening to music you can barely hear, then you fall asleep......
What's best temperature run?
Great video bro! You just earned yourself a new subscribe
Thanks a lot appreciate it!
Amazing insight, thank you very much. Just you need to fix the sound - it is too low
Thanks a lot for feedback!
Awesome idea to grow your own food.
Who do you sell the micro greens to???
He mentioned starting to get customers at the farmers market
Can you put a link for the racking and lighting you bought Thanks
Click on Donny’s channel. He alway has links to his lights and racks
Great interview! Love the local CEO concept
Appreciate it Gio!
great video. RUclips course link? didn't see in description. When you search infinite ones pop up. Im interested in the one Donny watched initially🌱
I like the q&a, but if you made a show that showed the hole process of start to the bank. Would be a show I'm sure everyone would love to watch. If you need a guy to do it. I'll be glad to help for free to show everyone. Buying the stuff, planting the seeds, watching it grow , finding buyers , collecting checks, and growing the business. Hit me up.
Thank you for sharing..