![\"aerial](\"https:\/\/news.furman.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/arran-farm-475.jpg\")
Arran Farm in summer \/ courtesy photo<\/p><\/div>\n
During Black Friday weekend, the couple rented Arran Farm in Easley, South Carolina, about a half hour from Greenville, to launch Christmas at the Farm \u2013 the couple\u2019s first festival for engaging the community and making the tree selection process one to remember.<\/p>\n
On the company\u2019s website, Kevin, CEO of the business and a political science graduate, describes the boyhood excitement of picking out the perfect cut tree with his family. But despite the thrill of the hunt, he was certain the experience could be much more than scoping out a tree at a big box retailer, paying for it, loading it up and leaving.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe more I looked around,\u201d Kevin said, \u201cthe more I realized how quick the whole process was and how often people came alone. I felt the tradition of picking out a Christmas tree as a family had faded.\u201d<\/p>\n
That\u2019s how the idea began brewing for Kevin and Maggie, CFO of the operation, \u2013 to make the tree buying tradition less transactional and more experiential.<\/p>\n
During the COVID lockdowns, the Pahls took time to reflect on how they could move forward. They also tapped the expertise of Matt Reeve \u201917 (sociology), campus programs manager at Furman\u2019s Hill Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship<\/a>, who gave the couple pointers for starting the pop-up business.<\/p>\n \u201cGreenville Christmas Trees embodies what the holiday season is really about \u2013 taking time to be present, spending time with family and friends,\u201d said Reeve, who believed the Pahls already had a \u201cfirm grasp on entrepreneurship\u201d and \u201cgreat presence and communication skills.\u201d<\/p>\n Months later, with a lot of preparation and a little direction from the Hill Institute on how to approach the market, the Pahls were ready to launch their first festival.<\/p>\n At the event, cut Fraser and Balsam firs in all shapes and sizes grown on a North Carolina farm were the stars of the show. And the supporting cast offered plenty of other attractions to entertain guests.<\/p>\n Celebrating local businesses, the Pahls curated five artisan vendors \u2013 from woodworkers to beekeepers \u2013 and hosted food and beverage trucks. Crowd favorites like hot chocolate and s\u2019mores were on hand as well as activities like yard games, a bonfire, trivia, a photo booth and crafts for kids.<\/p>\n In another section at the event \u2013 \u201cThe Greatest Gift\u201d \u2013 festival goers were offered a way to donate toward trees to those who don\u2019t have the means to purchase them.<\/p>\n