East End Market: Empowering Food Entrepreneurs with John Rife

05/27/24 • 31 min

In this episode of "Entrepreneurs, Executives & Eccentrics," join Scott Turman and John Rife as they delve into the creation of Orlando's first food hall, the East End Market, and discover how Rife became the "PT Barnum of the local food scene" by blending a passion for sustainable farming with innovative business infrastructure. Uncover the secrets behind scaling food businesses, the importance of community and authenticity, and why Rife believes the food industry offers a uniquely recession-proof entrepreneurial opportunity.

John Rife is the visionary behind East End, located on Corrine Drive in the vibrant Audubon Park district of Orlando. With a background in commercial real estate development, John had spearheaded several high-profile projects in the Orlando area. However, he found this work unfulfilling and began exploring his passion for local foods and sustainable farming during cross-country road trips. By 2007, inspired by the bustling public markets he encountered in cities like Seattle, Vancouver, and Detroit, John realized Orlando lacked a similar lively marketplace. Motivated by this discovery, he dedicated himself to creating a public market in Orlando, eventually founding the East End Market. This venture not only reflects his love for community and sustainable practices but also brings a dynamic culinary experience to the heart of Orlando.

Below are the key takeaways from this episode:

Creating Infrastructure for Food Entrepreneurs: John Rife established East End Market in Orlando to provide vital infrastructure, support, and expertise for food entrepreneurs, helping them launch and grow their businesses successfully.
Emphasis on Community and Authenticity: Rife stresses the importance of community involvement and authenticity in creating successful food ventures, noting his hesitations about replicating the East End Market in other locations without losing these core values.
Scaling Business Knowledge: Highlighted through his book "Second Store Success," Rife shares insights on the challenges and strategies for scaling a business beyond the first location, emphasizing the necessity of personal connections and the right team dynamics.
Hands-On Mentorship and Investment: Rife's active role in mentoring and financially supporting food businesses is a central theme, with a specific focus on unlocking potential by providing expertise, contacts, and crucial financial backing.
Food Industry's Educational Value: The food industry offers an accessible entry point into entrepreneurship, providing immediate feedback, requiring less capital investment, and cultivating a unique sense of community and fulfillment.

Todays guest, John Rife, can be found online at:

Website: https://eastendmkt.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnrife/

Your host, Scott Turman, can be found online at:

BrightRay Publishing: https://brightray.com/

Entrepreneur Website: https://scottturman.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottturman/

Below are the key takeaways from this episode:

Creating Infrastructure for Food Entrepreneurs: John Rife established East End Market in Orlando to provide vital infrastructure, support, and expertise for food entrepreneurs, helping them launch and grow their businesses successfully.
Emphasis on Community and Authenticity: Rife stresses the importance of community involvement and authenticity in creating successful food ventures, noting his hesitations about replicating the East End Market in other locations without losing these core values.
Scaling Business Knowledge: Highlighted through his book "Second Store Success," Rife shares insights on the challenges and strategies for scaling a business beyond the first location, emphasizing the necessity of personal connections and the right team dynamics.
Hands-On Mentorship and Investment: Rife's active role in mentoring and financially supporting food businesses is a central theme, with a specific focus on unlocking potential by providing expertise, contacts, and crucial financial backing.
Food Industry's Educational Value: The food industry offers an accessible entry point into entrepreneurship, providing immediate feedback, requiring less capital investment, and cultivating a unique sense of community and fulfillment.

Todays guest, John Rife, can be found online at:

Website: https://eastendmkt.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnrife/

Your host, Scott Turman, can be found online at:

BrightRay Publishing: https://brightray.com/

Entrepreneur Website: https://scottturman.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottturman/

Next Episode

From the Field to the Boardroom: Jeff Faine’s Entrepreneurial and Philanthropic Ventures

Join host Scott Turman as he dives into an inspiring conversation with former NFL star Jeff Faine, who defied the odds to become a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist. Discover how Jeff’s journey from the gridiron to the boardroom is filled with lessons in discipline, foresight, and the transformative power of giving back to the community.

Jeff Faine is a former professional NFL player turned successful entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist. Born to a military family, Jeff developed a strong sense of discipline and foresight, traits that have defined his career transitions and business endeavors. Starting in his third year in the NFL, Jeff began investing in the restaurant industry, eventually co-owning multiple establishments in Orlando, including The Other Bar and Monkey Bar. An advocate for community improvement, he co-founded the Faine House, a program dedicated to helping youth aging out of foster care transition into independent living. Jeff's journey exemplifies the harmonious blend of athletic discipline, entrepreneurial ambition, and heartfelt philanthropy.

Below are the key takeaways from this episode:

Consistency and Incremental Progress: Jeff Faine emphasizes that consistency, discipline, and the right circle of influence are crucial for long-term success. He illustrates this through both his professional athletic and business careers.
Investing in Skilled Trades and Addressing Labor Shortages: Faine stresses the importance of training young people in skilled trades, citing the current labor shortage in the United States. He is also working to start an academy for skilled trades to address this issue.
Philanthropy and Community Impact: Jeff Faine has dedicated over 14 years to a successful program for kids aging out of foster care, in partnership with the Children's Home Society of Florida, showing his commitment to social causes and community improvement.
Transitioning Skills from Sports to Business: By starting his business ventures early in his NFL career, Faine managed a smoother transition to post-athletic life. His experience on the offensive line taught him teamwork and protection, values that he carried into his business and philanthropic endeavors.
Intentional Life Decisions: Faine approached his marriage and family life deliberately, ensuring he could be present and not self-centered during his professional athletic career. This foresight reflects his disciplined upbringing and his parents' emphasis on education and career planning.

Todays guest, Jeff Faine, can be found online at:

Website:https://www.enhancedfunding.com/ & https://efslife.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-faine/

Your host, Scott Turman, can be found online at:

BrightRay Publishing: https://brightray.com/

Entrepreneur Website: https://scottturman.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottturman/