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baskets & trays | events | history | About Far Flung Foods After years of traveling and eating around the world, Greg Williams found himself in Windsor, Ontario. In 2000, he started Far Flung Foods, selling fair trade coffee and gourmet food at The Farmer's Market at the Market Square. In 2004, he bought the cheese shop, The Cheese Lady, and brought it under Far Flung Foods. Greg Williams is currently a member of the Ontario Cheese Society. Media Life's a cheese, Greg Williams. Ontario Cheese Society News. Fall 2006. pgs 1-2. Market vendor fills key niche, Ted Whipp. The Windsor Star. Mar 18, 2004. pg C.3 Special orders ... don't upset them; Small retailers are catering to growing culinary culture; Ted Whipp. The Windsor Star : Nov 15, 2000. p. E.1. Market vendor fills key niche "One of the smaller vendors in Market Square, Greg Williams has become an important fixture. A go-to guy for gourmands searching for a secret sauce, seasoning or some other ingredient, Williams stocks everything from Tony Chachere's Creole Gumbo Mix from Louisiana to honey fresh from St. Joachim's Rivest Apiaries. He fields phone calls about exotic spices and other scarce foods, helping anguished callers find exactly what they're looking for to make a precious recipe. The business named Far Flung Foods has proven especially apt five years on. The fresh coffee, conversation and the cheese business he took over in recent months have all helped, too. The little operation has somehow turned a corner as both it and Williams have survived the hurly-burly of the retail food business. Williams talks about making his start in his own business in Windsor, answering this week's batch of questions from Business to Go. 1. What was your first job? Born and raised in Burlington, Williams started in retail early, working in a leisure and game store. "It was a good job. And I got an employee discount of 15 per cent." Williams went on to enjoy a variety of jobs, landing in England where he worked in a business bringing in a variety of merchandise from small native co-operatives around the world. He and his girlfriend returned to Windsor and after months of looking for employment Williams put together a business plan for the food vendor business. "I always wanted to open my own business. I had gained a fair amount of knowledge about food. And the business served a niche here." 2. What was your worst business experience? "Not to go after more capital when I opened. So many great businesses go out of business because they run out of money," the 40- year-old entrepreneur says. More capital would ease the start-up struggles, he adds. 3. What's your best success? "Buying the cheese business." He bought the popular Cheese Lady business from a vendor neighbour Penny Stephenson and traffic has increased for both, he says. "I was a little nervous, but knowing Penny I also felt comfortable. Because of her, I don't think I'll ever take down The Cheese Lady sign." 4. How do you balance business and your personal life? An understanding partner helps, he says. Besides, he adds he enjoys the work and customers. "I definitely have less free time, but I have no problems." 5.What are your favourite books, movies and TV shows? "I like the Lonely Planet travel show, the novel A Fine Balance, by Rohinton Mistry." As for movies, he liked a Spanish film which proved so obscure, he couldn't remember the exact title and an Internet search came up empty. 6.What's your best and worst habit? "Easily my worst habit it keeping up with the paperwork. My best habit is that I'm constantly reviewing food websites and other resources looking for new things." |
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