NOLANVILLE, Texas — According to Walmart, as part of their Open Call, "more than 900 small businesses from across the country pitching their products made, grown or assembled in the U.S. to Walmart and Sam’s Club merchants."

What You Need To Know

  • Over 900 small businesses across the county pitched products at Walmart's 2021 Open Call

  • Disiree Kennon and Meredith Viguers are business partners

  • Their company is women-owned and caters to veterans, something that caught Walmart's attention 

Two Central Texas business owners snagged an opportunity with the retail corporation.

Desiree Kennon begins every morning pretty much the same.

"...I can never start my day unless I have a cup of coffee," Kennon said.

Today, she is also brewing a cup of joe for her business partner Meredith Viguers. They sweeten the coffee with a little treat - honey, but not just any honey, this is their Central Texas honey.

"When I started the business part of packing honey, the State of Texas requires you to be in a professional kitchen," said Kennon.

Viguers runs a catering company in Nolanville, Texas, just outside of Fort Hood, so she knew exactly how to help.

"When she came in to rent the kitchen from us to bottle and pour the honey, we realized that there was a market for the business," Viguers said.

Their business, Sweet Bee Gardens, even got the attention of Walmart.

Walmart recently hosted an Open Call, where hundreds of small businesses from across the country pitched their products to Walmart and Sam’s Club merchants.

“Open Call supports Walmart’s overall commitment to U.S Manufacturing and small businesses. In March, Walmart announced an additional spend of $350 billion on items made, grown or assembled in the U.S. over the next ten years,” said Laura Phillips, senior vice president, customer and business development and U.S. manufacturing for global sourcing at Walmart in a press release.

Viguers and Kennon jumped at the chance.

"And we got picked on the spot which is very rare," Kennon said. 

Viguers added Walmart took notice of the community the team caters to. 

"Employing veterans and their families and having veterans as spouses was also a big part of that, so they wanted to not only support the fact that we're a woman-owned business, but also the community that we serve in the process," Viguers said. 

A sweet story with a simple start, soon their products will be on the shelves at Walmart.

"We're just super grateful to be part of our community here and support Central Texas with some great local raw honey," Viguers explained.