Today we’d like to introduce you to Bridgett Baumgartner & Vincent Baumgartner
Hi Bridgett Baumgartner & Vincent Baumgartner, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Our journey started when we moved from Michigan to Tennessee at the end of 2023 with our four kids, excited for a fresh start. But life had other plans! Vince secured a job before the move, and we had a rental house lined up. By spring 2024, though, we found ourselves scrambling after the rental was put up for sale. We quickly bought a house, but just as we were settling in, life threw us another curveball: we discovered I was unexpectedly pregnant, and Vince was laid off from his job just days later.
Amid the uncertainty, we were reading a book about entrepreneurship and felt God nudging us to try something new—a lemonade business. It felt like the right fit, not just financially, but also because it would allow Vince to be home more with our tight-knit, homeschooling family.
We started small, selling lemonade at festivals, but things grew quickly. We built a food cart, got licensed with the health department, and expanded to larger markets and events. We even set up regularly at places like Lowe’s in Lebanon, where we connected with loyal customers. In the fall, we added fresh apple cider and apple cider donuts from a local orchard, which were a big hit.
What started as a leap of faith has turned into a family business we’re passionate about, and we’re excited to see where this adventure takes us next.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
We faced a lot of unexpected challenges, starting with navigating the maze of licensing and permits. At one point, we even had people report us to the health department, but thankfully, the team there was incredibly gracious. They guided us through what we didn’t know and helped us get everything in order.
Another big hurdle was finding places to set up or getting into events. Many of them required high vendor fees that had to be paid upfront, which was tough when we were just starting out. On top of that, we had to secure state, county, and city permits, which came with significant costs.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Our business is truly a leap of faith and a gift from God—we walk 100% by faith in everything we do. At its core, we sell fresh-squeezed lemonade, and in the fall, we offer fresh apple cider and donuts. What sets us apart is our commitment to real, simple ingredients: just water, ice, lemons, sugar, and all-natural fruit purées. We don’t use any artificial flavors, colors, or sweeteners because that’s important to our family, especially with allergies to food dyes.
What also makes us unique is our process. We muddle the lemon rind right in the cup, leaving it in for maximum flavor. Our customers often say it’s the best lemonade they’ve ever had!
But this business is about more than just lemonade—it’s about connection. We take the time to chat with customers, pray with them, and build genuine relationships. It may seem like a simple venture, but it’s become a source of joy and a lifestyle that brings people together.
What are your plans for the future?
We’re excited to keep growing and serving more customers through events and private bookings. While a food truck isn’t in the plans yet, we’re expanding to offer gourmet chocolate-dipped strawberries and oversized cookies, along with lemonade and popcorn for private and catered events.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://317-sweets.square.site/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/317_citrus_squeeze/profilecard/?igsh=Z3Bma3A5ODY1aDNy
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558263485280
