Interview with Meryl Farr – Co-Founder and Owner of 4Sisters Rice

“Challenges are opportunities. I mean, to me, I don’t see them as setbacks.”

And talk about taking on challenges. This ambitious co-founder is on a mission to create a strong brand in what has become a highly commoditized category. Meryl Farr, Co-Founder and Owner of 4Sisters Rice intends to make rice the star of the plate. Meryl and her sisters are a family of farmers with deep roots in agriculture.

Meryl credits her success to some truly harsh criticism from a Walmart buyer. That difficult meeting caused her to rethink the name and packaging of the product, and 4Sister’s Rice was born. Just in time for Covid. 

And as difficult as that was, it turned out to be lucky for them. They launched when staples like rice were flying off the shelves like toilet paper. They were meeting a need that they didn’t even know existed. Their distribution gains were fast and furious. They found themselves constantly pivoting to meet the demand of the market, the challenges of the supply, and the massive responsibility of keeping employees safe. 

Meryl’s inspiring attitude towards these challenges paved the way for the successful launch of 4Sisters Rice. Listen to her tell the story of the obstacles they faced, the importance of a positive mindset, what it’s like to work with her four sisters, and so much more! 

 Here’s what you won’t want to miss from our conversation: 

• The story of how a meeting with a buyer at Walmart forced them to rethink their entire brand

• A 30-day rebrand

• Why tough critics are the key to success 

• What it’s like to be a woman in the male-dominated agriculture industry 

• The importance of supporting American farmers