Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Here the summers are long and hot. One day this science teacher and avid fisherman couldn't find bait and readily declared, "I'm going to start a business!"

He was doing OK. He had a good little business. Then his wife died unexpectedly and his heart was broken. He turned to his oldest son, just 19-years old, and asked him to carry on.

That responsibility must have been daunting for David but he was up to the task. He had two younger siblings, and of course, he missed his Mom, too, but somebody had to carry on.

There were customers, employees, and orders to fill. Today, this family business cultivates and grows more worms, crickets, and iguanas than any other in the USA.

Small business is the source of jobs and new ideas in every economy. Here you'll see that necessity becomes the mother of invention. When somebody says, "That's impossible," entrepreneurs take up the challenge. Big business is about ROI and ROE; small business is most often all about family and power- love- and- money. That's a very different value equation. Return On Investment or Return On Equity for shareholders often just happens.

So, let's travel to visit a different kind of farm. Not far from Baton Rouge where the mighty Misssissippi River flows nearby and meet the family. First, David Fluker, then his Dad, his sister and brother and many employees.

Today, they are one of the world's largest cricket farms. Literally millions of crickets are shipped every week to pet shops and research laboratories all over the country and around the world. The Fluker Laboratory continues their research and development with the help of the local university biology departments; and not only do they continue selectively breeding crickets, they now work with the entire insect and reptile food chain, from meal worms to iguanas.

Their working motto is "Serving Satisfied Customers." Telemarketing, catalog sales, technical newsletters, and innovative production techniques all keep this family business growing.

CONTACT:
Fluker Farms
1333 Plantation Road
Port Allen, LA 70767
Tel: 800.735.8537 225.343.7035
Fax: 225.336.0671
Email: Click here.
URL: http://flukerfarms.com

We invite your questions or comments.

• JOIN, JOIN, JOIN: Your professional associations in your industry are your key to continuing education, market research, collaborations, strategic partnerships, capital and so much more ... often you'll find that you enjoy like-minded people and many will become friends for life.

• SUPPORT PUBLIC TELEVISION:
  Become a member of your local station. If you are already, great. If not and your business is doing well, consider joining the Producers' Club ($1000).

• FIRST PRINCIPLES: Starting a business is the road to economic independence for most of us average people. Read a little more to see why incorporating a business keeps the passion of the American revolution alive!

• MORE CASE STUDIES ABOUT FARMING. Look at Ekkwill (fish) and The Feather Farm (birds) for two other non-traditional farms. And of course, study the wisdom of Bob Sakata who "invented" and grows the world's sweetest corn as well as some of the finest onions on earth.

• CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE: To find your local chamber, click here.

• GO FURTHER: Spend some time with the ten key points of the case study guide (just above in the green box) and each of the related transcript segments.

• Family business: There are many other episodes about family businesses plus there is a list of resources to help

• QUESTION: The Salk Institute, Harvard and the Smithsonian have something in common with pet stores and Louisiana's fisherman. What?
  
  Ans: They all buy the favorite food of the iguana -- crickets -- from the same source. This little insect, once just the white noise of summer evenings, has taken on a persona of its own. From the whimsical and wise Jimmy the Cricket, to chocolate-covered bugs, then to the iquana, we begin to see how supply chains break through fantasy and poetry to create a business.

• Can you LOOK AT STEP 1 and say:
  "I'm Going to Strat a Business. "Yes!" Well, then, work through these first four steps to become independent. Most people will stop there. Step 5 is a big one. David works with his local schools, particularly Louisiana State University. They are an excellent resource for high-energy, entry-level marketing people.

• Family businesses in Retail: Retail stores on Main Street are often family businesses. Here are other episodes abut families in retail.

• Specialty Retail: Chocolate-covered crickets. From pets to live pet food to human food made from the pet food. Hattie was not alone, we all tried them. And we actually concluded -- chocolate on anything is always good. David claimed those cricket were actually naturally high in protein as well! Thanks, David, but methinks that soy protein just might be a bit more satisfying. -Ed.

• NATIONAL TRADE ASSOCIATIONS / LOCAL CHAMBERS. There are national trade associations for every industry and business sector. These associations are the most relevant resources for continuing education and networking for small business owners. We are not alone.
  
  In this episode of the show we talk about direct marketing. There is much more at the Direct Marketing Association!
  
  David is a member of the following professional trade assoications:
  • Louisiana Association of Business & Industry (LABI): David is a huge advocate for the state that he loves the most and he serves on their Board of Directors.
  • American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (APPMA): Here we learn from their research that America's love affair with pets is at an all-time high. From the opening page, they say, "If you think the country is going to the dogs- you're right. It's going to the dogs- and the cats and fish and iguanas." You can tell that David's business is having its impact!
  • Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA): Their mission statement reads: " ... to enhance the well-being of the wholesaler-distributor, to promote partnerships with their suppliers and customers, and to work cooperatively with other organizations in fostering the human/companion-animal bond.
  • Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC): The world’s largest pet trade association!
  • World Wide Pet Supply Association WWPSA): Their new products showcase resulting from their annual trade show called SuperZoo is not to be missed!

• CASES BY BUSINESS TYPE. Click on the heading to find all the business types and then click on your type of business to check out those case studies.