Welcome to The Packer’s Fresh Take, a column featuring advice and inspiration from leaders and innovators in the produce industry, in their own words.
Patrick Kelly, entrepreneur, innovator, author, small business owner, podcast host and executive in produce & supply chain industry, tells us about how he got into the produce industry, his best marketing advice, the story of how his dog was named and so much more.
How did you get into the produce industry?
Through my father who was in the produce and supply chain on the grower, packer, shipper & juice manufacturing/distributing side. Before then my Nana was a Clerk in the grocery business.
What’s the best marketing advice you ever got?
Think about how to think about things differently - Dr. William Rice
What’s the biggest opportunity the produce industry has yet to take advantage of?
Technology and Omni-Channel Marketing
What’s your “silver lining” from 2020?
Bringing our industry together through digital presence.
What’s your most memorable project/brand launch/other accomplishment in your career so far?
When I started my first company in 2009! I realized the path to entrepreneurship had started!!!
How do you unwind?
Movies and video games
What’s your favorite produce item, and how do you like to prepare it?
Citrus (Deco-Pon) one of the best tangerines I have ever had in my life, how do I prepare it? Simple, I pop that top, peel it and eat it - well maybe eat 2 or 3.
What did you “binge” over the pandemic? (Movies, tv, books or podcasts you’d recommend?)
Netlifx and other video streaming platforms — Tiger King, Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad, Cobra Kai, Rick and Morty, American Horror Story, Life Inside the Markets, and anything TRUE CRIME
Podcast: Private Club Radio, Freakanomics Audio, The Think Tank, EntreEd Talk, The Leadership Answer Man and The Joe Rogan Experience.
What’s the story of your pet’s name?
To tell you the story of my current pet’s name we have to talk about the name of my late pet’s name, General Cunningham Kelly who was an Enlglish bulldog born in Fresno, CA. Now my wife’s dad was in the Marine Corp. along with many other of my wife’s family and he had the idea to name him after the first General of the Marine Corp, so we did! During his reign we purchased another English Bulldog who has survived General and his name is Sergeant Diamond Kelly - making him second to the General.
What’s a fun item on your bucket list?
I want to see my kids and grandkids(when they arrive) grow old.
