Weslaco, TX: Kristen Davis recalls early childhood memories of watching her father work in the family farming business. But those memories extended far beyond her father. Their entire immediate and extended family played some type of role in the business for years before her childhood and she expects to continue this way for many more years to come.
And it all started with her grandfather.
“The one who originally started it was my grandpa back in the late 1960s,” Kristen said.
Her grandfather created the family business of planting and raising a variety of vegetables. As the business grew, so did her father’s role in it.
“When my dad entered the business in 1998, he started the TexMex sales with my grandpa and started doing onions. He wanted to be an onion specialist,” she added.
As the business grew, so did the family. As soon Kristen was old enough to learn and work in the farm, she took the bull by the horns and learned everything from the ground up – which she admits was not easy.
“Being in a family-owned business - it's very demanding but at the same time very rewarding,” she said.
Kristen took a break from the business to attend college to hone her skills as a farmer and businesswoman. As soon as she graduated, she went back into the family business to pick up where she left off. This time around she began to play a much bigger role, “It's been very challenging, at the same time very exciting to learn how the business has changed within and how I can change within the business as well,” she said.
Part of the satisfaction of being in the family business is working alongside her father.
“It makes me feel so happy, the fact that I get to be a part of my family’s business. To be able to grow with my dad and help him grow and see his dream come true. And then at the same time incorporate what my dream is, keep that legacy on and hopefully it’ll keep going with more generations,” Kristen said.
As her role and responsibilities in the business began to expand, so did the hurdles.
“To be a female in the produce business comes with its challenges. It is a very male-dominated field,” she said.
She continued, “When I went into the business, a few of the women said, ‘Get ready. It’s not easy, it’s very demanding. Make sure you have thick skin because they are going to treat you as one of the guys. Also, don’t let them push you around. You need to be able to say no and be firm in your no and if you think you’re right, say yes’. Know what you can do and be the best you can in the business.”
From watching the business grow as a child to later becoming a prominent role in it gave her an added level of confidence. But that wasn’t by accident. She learned along the way.
“The confidence comes from doing it every day, working hard, and just kind of learning from your mistakes. You’re going to make mistakes, just keep rolling with the punches,” she said.
If you are considering starting a new business journey, Kristen has some advice. “I say go for it. Don’t back down. It is scary, it comes with its responsibilities, and you have to be aware of that. But it’s very rewarding and the best things come from when you’re scared the most. So, if you have a little bit of fear, that means you should take that leap and just do it,” Kristen concluded.
Watch the full interview with Kristen Davis at
A Message from Trudy Jacobson
“I can relate to working in a male-dominated industry and applaud Kristen for doing to same and succeeding personally and professionally. We look forward to seeing her grow her family’s business.”
– Trudy Jacobson
And it all started with her grandfather.
“The one who originally started it was my grandpa back in the late 1960s,” Kristen said.
Her grandfather created the family business of planting and raising a variety of vegetables. As the business grew, so did her father’s role in it.
“When my dad entered the business in 1998, he started the TexMex sales with my grandpa and started doing onions. He wanted to be an onion specialist,” she added.
As the business grew, so did the family. As soon Kristen was old enough to learn and work in the farm, she took the bull by the horns and learned everything from the ground up – which she admits was not easy.
“Being in a family-owned business - it's very demanding but at the same time very rewarding,” she said.
Kristen took a break from the business to attend college to hone her skills as a farmer and businesswoman. As soon as she graduated, she went back into the family business to pick up where she left off. This time around she began to play a much bigger role, “It's been very challenging, at the same time very exciting to learn how the business has changed within and how I can change within the business as well,” she said.
Part of the satisfaction of being in the family business is working alongside her father.
“It makes me feel so happy, the fact that I get to be a part of my family’s business. To be able to grow with my dad and help him grow and see his dream come true. And then at the same time incorporate what my dream is, keep that legacy on and hopefully it’ll keep going with more generations,” Kristen said.
As her role and responsibilities in the business began to expand, so did the hurdles.
“To be a female in the produce business comes with its challenges. It is a very male-dominated field,” she said.
She continued, “When I went into the business, a few of the women said, ‘Get ready. It’s not easy, it’s very demanding. Make sure you have thick skin because they are going to treat you as one of the guys. Also, don’t let them push you around. You need to be able to say no and be firm in your no and if you think you’re right, say yes’. Know what you can do and be the best you can in the business.”
From watching the business grow as a child to later becoming a prominent role in it gave her an added level of confidence. But that wasn’t by accident. She learned along the way.
“The confidence comes from doing it every day, working hard, and just kind of learning from your mistakes. You’re going to make mistakes, just keep rolling with the punches,” she said.
If you are considering starting a new business journey, Kristen has some advice. “I say go for it. Don’t back down. It is scary, it comes with its responsibilities, and you have to be aware of that. But it’s very rewarding and the best things come from when you’re scared the most. So, if you have a little bit of fear, that means you should take that leap and just do it,” Kristen concluded.
Watch the full interview with Kristen Davis at
A Message from Trudy Jacobson
“I can relate to working in a male-dominated industry and applaud Kristen for doing to same and succeeding personally and professionally. We look forward to seeing her grow her family’s business.”
– Trudy Jacobson
