Inspiring Conversations with DeAnna Butler- Toombs of Simply Produce LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to DeAnna Butler- Toombs.

Hi DeAnna, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Hello everyone. I started my business because I was tired of busting my butt for companies that didn’t even care about my well being or the welfare of my family. And I was tired of catching the bus and train for two and a half hours to get to and from jobs that didn’t care about me. I was working two jobs at the time. Kroger and family dollar. I loved both companies. I just didn’t like working for them. But I was a single Mom of five and I had to work. I always had dreams so I began to talk about my dreams. I knew that with the right people beside me. I could make my dreams come true. So I began talking out loud on both jobs about starting my own business. I mean I was talking to anyone that would listen. And through prayer, believing that I could, and having the faith that it would happen. It did. But it wasn’t an easy road and I was not ready for what I had prayed for. But there I was knee deep in all that I had prayed about. Truth be told it’s scary to get what you want and not know how to maintain it. So we opened our family owned fresh fruit and vegetables business in September of 2016. We named it Simply Produce llc. I had done exactly what I said. And I was happy and sad. Because I had unknowingly put my family in a financial bind. A bind that seemed to never end. Let’s fast forward four years later. We were struggling to make ends meet. And we had been struggling since opening our store. Something had to give. It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make. But I had to decide whether to keep throwing money into this pit or give up. A hard decision made easy. As I woke up one morning in January 2020 and I decided that I was going to close my store. I had said that plenty of times before because we were struggling. But I always mustered up the money to pay the rent and keep the store running. It was different this time. My mind and my heart were aligned. This time I knew it was time. I was ready to close. I couldn’t keep taking my Man/boyfriend (at the time, now he’s my husband) money that he worked so hard for to pay my rent on my failing business and also to buy supplies so that we could stay in business. I was tired of not making a profit. But in that four years I had learned so much about running a business. And I knew that if I was ever blessed to be in that position again I would know exactly what to do. I closed my store that January and had no idea what I was going to do next. I was sad. But by grace and some most loyal customers, even after closing my store. They wouldn’t let my business close. See, right after I made the announcement that we were closing our brick-and-mortar. Customers began placing orders. People we had never met before started buying our products. Our fruits, vegetables, juices, salads, and fruit bowls were flying out the door. That’s when my vision begin to change and after being in that brick-and-mortar, I knew that I didn’t want to be in another one unless I owned it. So I decided I wanted a bus. I wanted to be a mobile Fresh fruit and vegetable store. And by prayer, speaking it into existence, believing that it would happen again, and our most loyal customer base. It happened AGAIN. Six months after closing our store. We were blessed with a grant. And in June 2020, we found and bought our bus…..

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road to financial freedom is never smooth. And please be mindful that what we offer has no shelf life. And without a reliable customer base a lot of our products that didn’t sell and that we couldn’t consume in time went to waste. In my opinion our biggest struggle was opening up a business without the knowledge of how to properly handle it.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Simply Produce, LLC is a cornerstone of health, sustainability, and community empowerment in the City of South Fulton. Founded with a mission to make fresh food simple, accessible, and affordable. We have redefined what it means to serve the community—one produce bag at a time.

Through strategic partnerships with local farmers, faith-based organizations, and wellness advocates, we have bridged the gap between South Fulton residents and farm-fresh fruits and vegetables. Our mobile market model and produce box delivery program provide equitable food access to families, seniors, and underserved neighborhoods that often face barriers to nutritious eating.

In doing so, we have not only fed bodies—but fueled transformation. Our unwavering commitment to fighting food insecurity, supporting local agriculture, and promoting healthier lifestyles directly aligns with South Fulton’s vision for a thriving, sustainable, and health-forward community.

From collaborating with schools and nonprofits to supporting grassroots wellness initiatives like AC Health Foodie, Inc. and AC Art Of Food. We stand as a powerful example of how small business can create big impact. Our work exemplifies economic resilience, social responsibility, and the belief that everyone deserves access to fresh, high-quality food—no matter their zip.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
For basic inquiries, info on running a business, applying for SNAP/EBT, or simply wanting to buy FRESH SEEDED NON-GMO & ORGANIC FRUITS AND VEGETABLES.
Please feel free to text or call 678 964 9494. Email us at [email protected] or you can go online at simplyproducemarket.com

Contact Info:

• Website: https://simplyproducemarket.com
• Instagram: simply_produce.llc
• Facebook: Simply Produce LLC

Image Credits
All images courtesy of DeAnna Butler- Toombs