MOC Alumnus Grows Business and Opens New Entertainment Venue
MOUNT OLIVE – Trent Lassiter of Micro, NC is an energetic and successful businessman with a passion for the outdoors and an appreciation for live entertainment. The 2009 graduate of University of Mount Olive is general manager of Springhill Outfitters, an outdoor retail store that carries hunting and fishing equipment, camping supplies, clothing, and more, located on I-95 at exit 101 in Selma. He started with the company when the business opened the first store in Kenly back in 2003 in a 3,600 square feet building with five employees. Today, the company employees 18 people and their new store has 17,500 square feet.
The 26 year old attributes much of his success to two things – his dad, Donnie Lassiter, and his educational experience at University of Mount Olive. “As I have progressed as general manager at Springhill Outfitters, I think back to the many classes I had at MOC that dealt with leadership. I use my degree on a daily basis. Many of the lectures I had at MOC were the foundation for where the store is today. There have been many meetings with our employees where I would refer back to my notes or textbooks to explain things to others.”
Lassiter chose University of Mount Olive because it was close enough to home that he could continue working full time, and also because, “The business school had a great reputation and because of my relationship with the Free Will Baptist denomination as a member of Selma OFWB Church,” he said.
Growing up Lassiter traveled with his dad to make sales calls, all the while absorbing what he saw and heard about business. “I was able to see my dad and his business partner create a credit card processing company from nothing into a company that now trades on the New York Stock Exchange and has customers in all 50 states! I always knew growing up that I wanted to have my own company and be successful, just like my Dad.”
Just like his dad, Trent too is a visionary. Growing up, he always enjoyed the music industry and going to concerts. He has taken his love for live entertainment and is turning it into what he hopes will be a lucrative business that he has dubbed, “The Farm.” “The Farm” is located on over 20 acres of family farm land outside of Selma. It features over 5,000 square feet of banquet hall area with an indoor stage and is available to rent for business meetings, wedding receptions, banquets, and more. They have an outdoor stage and venue that will hold over 10,000 people and will be home to “The Farm Concert Series” starting in spring 2014. According to Lassiter, “This is a venue that will truly be an asset for our area, which will not only attract people from around the state, but also from around the country.” “The Farm” is expected to open by the last week in September.
As the opening of “The Farm” looms closer, Lassiter becomes more and more excited. He is tying up loose ends with the décor of the building which he describes as, “classy country.” In addition Lassiter continues to work on the October 5, Farm Fest event. “Several acts, both in Nashville, TN and locally are contacting me on a weekly basis about wanting to be a part of the venue,” he said.
As for the future, Lassiter is already working with his production company on some shows for 2014 starting with a beach music show in early spring. “I’ve been very blessed these last 26 years and I’m excited to see what else the future has in store for me,” he said. “I would like to give credit not only to my Dad, but also to my Mom, Linda, for where I am today. I would also like to thank University of Mount Olive and the staff there for helping me achieve these goals.”
For more information about Springhill Outfitters visit www.springhilloutfitters.com and for details on “The Farm,” go to www.thefarmnc.com.
University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The College, sponsored by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists, has locations in Mount Olive, New Bern, Wilmington, Goldsboro, Research Triangle Park, Washington and Jacksonville. For more information, visit www.moc.edu.