A Family-Run Success Story at Francee Farms
At Francee Farms, the family is the heart of everything they do. From the goats that provide the milk to the various products they create, every aspect of the business reflects a deep sense of unity and dedication. Lisa Chappell, one of the key figures in this operation, shared how each member of her family contributes to the daily activities.
“Mother-in-law does soap and packaging. My son handles cheese, ice cream, and smoothies. Landon does everything from feeding goats to feeding chickens. My husband is the brains behind everything,” said Lisa. Each person plays a crucial role in keeping the farm running smoothly, and their collaboration has been essential to the success of the business.
The goats, however, are undeniably the stars of the show. They are not just animals but the foundation of the entire operation. Their milk is used to produce 27 varieties of soap, candles, body washes, lotions, and even five different flavors of ice cream. This range of products showcases the versatility of the goat milk and the creativity of the Chappell family.
But it wasn’t always part of the plan for the Chappells. The family originally came to the area for Lisa’s husband’s job. They were simply looking for about five acres of land to build a house on and decided to buy two goats to help with the upkeep of the property.
Those two goats turned out to be a game-changer. When the pandemic hit, both Lisa and her husband lost their jobs. In a time of uncertainty, they needed a way to generate income. That’s when the idea of starting a small business was born.
“We started the family business because we needed some income. So we started making a little bit of soap at a time,” Lisa explained. What began as a small experiment quickly grew into something much bigger. They went from making 9 bars of soap per batch to now producing 54 bars a day.
Their hard work paid off, and they became the only grade A goat farm in the entire state of North Carolina. When the state told them they couldn’t be classified as grade A because there were no others in the state, they refused to back down.
“We said, ‘nope, we’re going to do it,'” Lisa recalled. To maintain their grade A status, they follow strict sanitation guidelines to ensure the quality of their products. They believe in transparency and simplicity, which is reflected in their product labels.
“We don’t want to go to the grocery stores and buy things that you can’t read on the labels. Everything on our label is just there. It’s five or six ingredients and that’s it,” Lisa said. This commitment to natural, straightforward ingredients has helped build a loyal customer base.
Francee Farms is proud to be North Carolina Made, and many customers appreciate the local connection. “We have so many people that come and can’t get it anywhere else, so I’m thankful to be local,” Lisa said.
If you’re interested in trying some of the unique products from Francee Farms, you can visit them at the State Farmers Market in Raleigh. Their story is a testament to the power of family, resilience, and hard work.
