Many new businesses find success by fulfilling a local need, and as a member in the Hart County FFA Chapter in Munfordville, Ky., Blake Quiggins has been rapidly expanding his two local enterprises as part of a supervised agricultural experience (SAE). He said he attributes the success of his businesses to a focus on giving back to his family and the communities that support him.
“With my dad being an FFA advisor and then my sister being an FFA advisor as well, I have been brought up in this FFA family my entire life,” he said. “And I’ve always wanted to give my part back to that to be able to help that next generation out.”
Quiggins started his first business, Premiere Clipping Services, several years ago to assist his fellow Kentucky livestock producers with clipping and fitting their animals before presenting them to judges or potential buyers. Eager to continue serving his community’s needs, he bought his second business, Champion Show Supply, when he was a little bit older.
“It was hard for us to get show supplies in states like Kentucky, and that’s why I bought the Champion Show Supply, which I now operate in five states,” he said.
Quiggins has expanded operations to Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia, and he said he expects Champion Show Supply to be a “lifelong adventure” because his services will always be needed. Notably, he also said he is the youngest independent dealer of Sullivan Supply products in the nation.
Due to his strong focus on giving back to his community and preparing future generations of farmers, Quiggins said his biggest piece of advice for FFA members who want to pursue their own SAE in agribusiness is to take risks – no matter what.
“You are more than likely going to fail at some point along the way, but our job is to learn from those failures and pick back up because those failures can be a great starting foundation to build off of,” he said. “All of us are afraid of failure, but we don’t know if we’re going to fail until we try, so don’t be afraid to take risks. Jump in with both feet headfirst into your SAE and give it your 100 percent effort.”
