Exploring Life & Business with Jeremy Fox of FOX FEED INC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeremy Fox.

Hi Jeremy, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am the third generation to run Fox Feed. My grandfather and father opened it in 1976. Prior to that, they were in the hay and dairy business delivering to dairies all over Southern California. My grandfather, Odie Fox had come to Imperial Valley in the late thirties from Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl, to work in the hay fields at that time. Eventually, he settled in the Antelope Valley, which at the time was the premier place where alfalfa was raised, and resettled there after a brief stint back to Oklahoma where he married and before relocating to Southern California.
Fox Feed was actually my grandfather’s idea of retirement after driving a truck for so long. His idea of settling down. And so it began, here in Canyon Country, on a piece of property which was at the time, kind of on the out skirts of town. Just a small shack in the front of the property, and a tiny house in the back. Eventually, the shack was torn down, and a small warehouse was built where the shack was, which is now where our store front is. A large hay barn was built, along with a larger warehouse.
And now, my brother and I run the day to day operations. My father, who retired two years ago at the age of 79, comes in on Saturdays with my mom for a few hours, and my grandfather passed in 2008, after retiring at the age of 92. Both my son and daughter work with us as well.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There have been challenges. In 2017, we had a huge fire that destroyed our hay barn and $150,000 worth of inventory. That took about 15 months to back on our feet and the barn rebuilt. Another fire threaten our place the following year after it was rebuilt, in 2019. This was a brush fire that started several miles away and blew on to our property very quickly.
But also the constant large corporations and big box stores that are coming into the pet space. Business is constantly changing.
Then we have the challenges of working with family. I think we do as good as just about anyone, but it’s not perfect. When you have a disagreement it can follow you home, literally, or to the family dinner table.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about FOX FEED INC?
We are one of the largest discount feed and pet supply store in the Southern California. We are celebrating our 50th Anniversary serving the SCV and surrounding areas. We’ve been a family owned and operated multi-generational business since 1976.; when Grandpa, Odie Fox, opened this store with his son, Jerry, in the midst of a rural Santa Clarita Valley and Agua Dulce area. Odie’s stories of survival from the Dust Bowl and depression era became legendary and people would come from all over just to share a cup of coffee with Odie.

Since then, family is not just part of our brand, it is who we are. After 50 years, our family is still welcoming all customers and employees from Agua Dulce, Acton, Castaic, the SCV (Newhall, Saugus, Valencia, and Canyon Country) and San Fernando Valley as part of our Fox Feed family.

Our business has expanded to serving pets of all sizes, besides livestock and horses. We are animal owners ourselves; trained in giving expert advice on choosing the right product for every small pet, bird, pig, goat, chicken, horse, many types of exotic animals, etc., and meet their particular need. We work close together with manufacturers and pet industry experts to provide customized customer service for all animals.

We offer a variety of ranch supplies and products for horses, poultry, wild and domestic bird seeds, dogs and cats. We offer delivery delivery to the Santa Clarita Valley and some surrounding areas. Customers can order online for in-store pick up.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Jeremy Fox is now the manager of this Fox Family business. I was shy, introverted, and active in sports. I started riding around in a hay truck at age 4! I spent every holiday and weekend with my dad and grandfather at the feed store until I was old enough to start helping out in the store officially. Excelled in soccer but, after high school, decided to stay close to home and faithful to our family business.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://foxfeed.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foxfeedinc?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/foxfeedinc?mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfr