Ground Up Growth

How Salad Days Scaled to 3 Million Heads of Lettuce with an $9M Hydroponic Expansion

In part two of our conversation with Leigh Bailey, founder of Salad Days Produce in Flora, Mississippi, we go deep on what it actually takes to build a hydroponic lettuce operation from the ground up — and keep it alive when everything falls apart. Leigh walks us through the early days of their 18,000 sq ft greenhouse, why they eventually walked away from tomatoes after harvesting 56,000 pounds in a single crop, and how a double production expansion landed right in the middle of March 2020 — with 85% of their revenue tied to restaurants that had just shut down. What followed was one of the most remarkable small business pivots we've heard: an online farmers market that sold out in three hours every Monday and generated $40–50K per week, with Flora police directing traffic on Saturday pickup days. Today, Salad Days operates a 65,000 sq ft facility producing 3 million heads of living lettuce per year, ships within a 250-mile radius, and has built a cult following of self-proclaimed "Lettuce Snobs" who won't order a salad at a restaurant unless Salad Days is on the menu. We also cover: * How hydroponic growing works and why your water source matters * The shelf life advantage of living lettuce vs. California bag salads * Fertilizer costs, pricing stability, and navigating supply chain volatility * What it takes to land Walmart, Kroger, and major distributors Find Salad Days Produce at saladdaysproduce.com Ground Up Growth is a podcast for entrepreneurs building from the ground up. #hydroponicfarming #smallbusiness #entrepreneurship #mississippi #growthmindset

Leigh Bailey: Owner, Salad Days

In this episode of Ground Up Growth, Paul Hopper and Hannah Pittman sit down with Leigh Bailey, founder of Salad Days, to hear the remarkable story of how a longtime real estate professional made the leap into agriculture and built one of Mississippi’s most innovative local food businesses. From growing up in a real estate development family to launching businesses in publishing, commercial real estate, and eventually hydroponic farming, Leigh shares a career built on reinvention, grit, and entrepreneurial instinct.  The conversation explores how Salad Days was born—from researching hydroponics, securing land in Flora, and gaining support from local chefs, to creating a business centered around fresh, locally grown produce. Leigh explains why hydroponic farming is becoming increasingly important as food safety, supply chain issues, and sustainable agriculture continue to shape the future of farming.  They also discuss the parallels between real estate and entrepreneurship, the value of relationships, and what it takes to start over in a completely new industry later in life. If you’re interested in business growth, Mississippi entrepreneurship, agriculture innovation, or hearing how bold pivots can lead to big opportunities, this episode is packed with insight and inspiration.

Fusing Design & Build: How Webb Emerson Is Changing Commercial Construction

In Part 2 of Ground Up Growth, Paul Hopper and Hannah Pittman continue their conversation with Webb Emerson, owner of Form Design Build. Webb shares how mentorship, leadership, and staying lean have helped grow his Jackson, Mississippi construction company in just three years. The episode covers hiring the right people, outsourcing weaknesses, building company culture, why in-person relationships still win business, and how AI is impacting the construction industry. If you’re an entrepreneur, contractor, or small business owner looking to scale the right way, this episode is packed with practical insight.

Webb Emerson: Owner, Form Design Build

In this episode of Ground Up Growth, Paul Hopper and Hannah Pittman sit down with Webb Emerson, owner of Form Design Build, to talk about building a modern construction company from the ground up. Webb shares his journey from growing up around job sites in Memphis to earning a construction degree from Mississippi State University, gaining experience in large-scale commercial construction, and eventually launching his own business in Jackson, Mississippi. The conversation dives into how Form Design Build is reshaping the traditional construction model through a design-build approach that combines architecture, engineering, and construction under one roof. Webb explains why this streamlined process creates a better experience for clients, reduces friction, and often delivers stronger long-term value than the standard bid process. They also discuss branding, marketing, and why many construction companies overlook the power of a strong message and consistent presence online. Webb shares how intentional branding, company culture, and long-term thinking have helped Form grow quickly in just three years. If you're interested in entrepreneurship, construction, leadership, or building a business with vision, this episode delivers practical insight and real-world perspective.

Building a Business That Could Make or Break You with Cameron Hartley

In Part 2 of this episode of Ground Up Growth, Cameron Hartley dives deeper into what it really takes to scale a business—and the risks that come with it. After building a successful equipment company, Cameron shares the high-stakes decision to invest everything into a new location in Gluckstadt, Mississippi—a move he knew would either make him or break him. From navigating drought seasons that cut revenue in half to managing cash flow in a seasonal business, this episode pulls back the curtain on the realities most entrepreneurs don’t talk about. We also explore: * The “commit first, figure it out later” mindset * How to build a business that serves both contractors and everyday customers * Why customer service—not products—is the true foundation of growth * The importance of community, relationships, and long-term vision * What scaling actually looks like after early success If you’re in the middle of building, growing, or betting on your next big move, this episode will challenge the way you think about risk, resilience, and what it takes to win long-term.