At just 14, Michael Stanley has already had more professional accomplishments than some people have in a lifetime.
He operates a baked goods business completely on his own, he has designed numerous professional websites, and now, he is the co-manager of the Plant City Local Harvest Farmers’ Market.
When he visited the market during its second week after opening last fall, Stanley saw an opportunity to become an entrepreneur.
“I was baking a lot at home, and everyone loved my cookies, and scones, especially,” he said.
He decided to capitalize on the deliciousness of his all-natural sweet treats by becoming a vendor at the market. He opened a booth as The Stanley Bakery.
Stanley, who is home schooled, spends all day preparing for the market each Wednesday. He wakes up at 7 a.m. and bakes nonstop until it is time to pack up at 2 p.m. He creates all of his products completely on his own — in fact, none of his family members are allowed into the kitchen while he is at work.
The bakery has been a successful enterprise for Stanley. He usually sells out of at least one of the items he takes to the market.
But The Stanley Bakery is only one of Stanley’s contributions to the farmers’ market.
Patricia Rogers, who has managed the market since it opened, had been looking for someone to design a website. She found out that Stanley not only knew how to design websites, but had created functional and visually appealing sites for a co-op, his sister’s wedding and other sites that were just for fun. He is also in the process of creating a website for Polk Wellness.
Rogers asked Stanley to design the market’s website, which he released Jan. 12. The design features a light wood background with bright photos of colorful produce, and the menu is easy to navigate.
“I was thinking about the market and how everything is farm fresh,” Stanley said. “I decided to use the wood because that seems natural.”
Rogers was so impressed by Stanley’s work that she decided to promote him to co-manager of the market.
“I selected him because of his ability to do what’s right for the market,” Rogers said. “At first, I just got him to do the website, and then I thought, he needs to learn how to run a business.”
As co-manager, Stanley’s responsibilities include managing the website and Facebook account, collecting money from vendors, directing vendors to their places at the market, and recruiting new vendors. While visiting another farmers’ market, Stanley came across a vendor he thought would be a good fit for Plant City’s market, and introduced himself. The vendor decided to sign on.
“I also contact anyone I know who has expertise, and ask them if they’d like to become a vendor,” Stanley said.
When he’s not baking, managing the market or doing schoolwork, Stanley enjoys watching movies and critiquing their visual effects. He hopes to someday become a compositor in the film industry, so he can edit special effects for movies. He also is a gardener.
“He has been unbelievable, especially for a young man of 14 years old,” Rogers said of Stanley.
Market Media
To learn more about The Stanley Bakery and other Local Harvest Farmers’ Market vendors, visit the website Stanley created at PCLocalHarvestFarmers Market.com. Search “The Stanley Bakery” or “Plant City Local Harvest Farmers Market” to find each on Facebook.
Contact Catherine Sinclair at csinclair@plantcityobserver.com.