Forbes Welcomes Lori Taylor to Its First-Ever Class of Forbes Next 1000

Lori Taylor has earned continued recognition for founding and growing The Produce Moms® and for her work encouraging people to add more fresh fruits and vegetables to their daily diets. Forbes recently announced its inaugural Forbes Next 1000 list, and Lori Taylor, CEO and Founder of The Produce Moms and a longtime advocate for the produce industry, was selected as part of the first class of entrepreneurs honored in this program.

Forbes Next 1000 highlights upstart entrepreneurs who are redefining the American Dream. The program, presented by Square, spotlights ambitious small-business owners, self-funded ventures, and early-stage startups across the United States. Lori is among the initial 250 entrepreneurs recognized in this ongoing initiative that will expand to a total of 1,000 entrepreneurs over the year.

From Produce Sales to National Recognition

Lori’s profile in the Forbes Next 1000 recounts how her entrepreneurial journey began while working in produce sales for the Indianapolis Fruit Company. She started a blog to support the company’s marketing efforts. When the company discontinued the blog in 2015, Lori invested her own savings and borrowed money to acquire it. That decision launched The Produce Moms as an educational platform focused on public health, produce education, and connecting consumers directly with farmers.

Her leadership has transformed the brand into a trusted voice for produce education and a resource that helps consumers make healthier food choices while supporting farmers and the broader produce supply chain.

Lori’s Response

“I feel like I’ve arrived as an entrepreneur with this recognition by Forbes,” Lori says. “Reading about my fellow entrepreneurs in the Forbes Next 1000 makes me proud to be part of America’s small business community. I’m especially honored to represent the produce industry and the farmers who feed our country and the world.”

Lori has been recognized in other Forbes forums as well. In December 2020 she was invited to the Forbes Power Women Summit. Selection to the Forbes Next 1000 opens further opportunities, including participation in programs designed to support small-business growth and leadership. Lori recently attended the Forbes Culturally Accountable Summit, a one-day event focused on diversity and inclusion.

About Forbes Next 1000

America is built on millions of small businesses. These businesses represent more than 30 million U.S. enterprises and generate a large share of net new jobs. While venture-backed startups often reflect a narrow slice of the entrepreneurial landscape, Main Street companies are diverse and form the backbone of local communities.

The Forbes Next 1000 initiative shines a light on these entrepreneurial contributors. It showcases sole proprietors, self-funded shops, and early-stage startups from every region of the U.S. Eligible companies typically have under $10 million in revenue or funding but demonstrate strong ambition, persistence, and growth potential. The initiative relies on nominations and evaluation by a panel of experienced business leaders and aims to highlight 1,000 entrepreneurs throughout the year.

The program’s judging panel includes a wide range of leaders from business, media, sports, and philanthropy. Their involvement helps amplify the visibility of the Next 1000 entrepreneurs and connects those businesses with mentorship, programming, and broader exposure.

Thank You

We extend our gratitude to our brand partners, the fresh produce industry, the entire TPM team, and our followers and fans. Your ongoing support since Lori took her entrepreneurial leap in 2015 has helped The Produce Moms grow into a meaningful brand and resource. We’re excited for what’s ahead and are just getting started.