Today we’d like to introduce you to Jesse Petteys.
Hi Jesse, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I actually started my career as a graphic designer before transitioning into marketing. I spent several years working for Amazon in Seattle, then moved to Boston to take on a Marketing Manager role at Wayfair. It was fast-paced and exciting, but after a while, corporate life started to wear me down. I found myself craving something different—something more grounded and hands-on.
Around that time, The Pavilion at Green Gaits was just starting to be built out, and I could see it had the potential to become something really special. So I made the leap: I left my corporate job, moved to Florida, and joined the family business to manage this new venture.
In the beginning, my focus was entirely on getting The Pavilion up and running—hiring staff, building out operations, and creating branding that would help it stand apart from the feed store side of the business. Funny enough, I had never really seen myself getting involved with the hay and feed store growing up. But being in such close proximity to it every day, I naturally started taking on more responsibilities. Now I find myself managing both sides of the business—The Pavilion and the feed store.
It’s definitely not where I imagined I’d end up when I started my career, but I’ve found a lot of purpose and pride in continuing the family legacy and shaping it into something that reflects both our roots and where we’re headed.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not at all—but I don’t think building something meaningful ever is. Like most small businesses, the road has had its fair share of bumps. Launching a hay and feed business in an area with established competitors meant we had to work hard to build trust and prove our value. It takes time to carve out a space in a market where people already have go-to suppliers. We’ve done so through customer service, consistency, and quality.
At the same time, opening a weekend venue in a location that’s a bit off the beaten path came with its own set of challenges. We knew we had something special to offer, but getting people to make the trip out—especially in the beginning— has been tough. Marketing, word-of-mouth, and community engagement became vital tools in helping us grow both awareness and attendance. It’s been a process of continual learning and adaptation, but the support we’ve received from loyal customers and event-goers has made it all worthwhile.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Green Gaits?
To understand the origin of Green Gaits, you have to go back even further to the start of its parent company, Western One Agricultural. Started over 30 years ago by my father and his long time business partner, Western One Ag offers the most unique and consistent assortment of forages available in the United States. Their hallmark is the 30 year relationships developed with growers in the Western U.S., where the most nutritionally balanced forages are grown. These relationships, and subsequent partnerships, have enabled them to provide an extremely consistent, high quality product year after year. Additionally, due to the sprawling farmland in the West, these growers have the ability to produce exceptionally large quantities from one field. This allows Western One Ag to supply large farms and retail operations with the same product, month after month, with the first bale the same quality as the last bale.
With over 30 years of industry experience, they wanted to make sure customers in the Ocala area had access to the quantity of quality product they needed – and thus, the idea of Green Gaits began.
Green Gaits was started 3.5 years ago as a boutique feed store specializing in the finest quality, consistent Western forages, and specialty equine feeds, shavings, and supplements. Our dedicated ownership team strives to only offer the best, and we do this by providing well researched, analysis-proven products. In addition to our forages (exclusively supplied by Western One Ag), we partner closely with all of our suppliers for our lines of other products to ensure we have the inventory and the knowledge to support our customers.
A little over a year after opening, Green Gaits embarked on a new chapter. The vision was to craft a unique food and event space that mirrored the commitment to excellence ingrained in our feed store roots. As a result, The Pavilion at Green Gaits was born as an extension of the same principles that had fueled the success of Green Gaits – quality and consistency above all. We endeavored to create a venue that would both surprise and delight our guests every weekend. We’re also very family and dog friendly!
The venue wouldn’t be complete without the proper amenities. A covered pavilion, a custom built stage for live music and entertainment, and enchanting fire pits set the stage for gatherings that are as inviting as they are unforgettable. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone, hosting an event, or simply looking for a unique space to unwind after a long day, The Pavilion at Green Gaits offers a captivating environment for every occasion. We wanted to provide a unique, ever-changing experience to our guests. We’re proud to offer our very own custom-built food truck as well as a one-of-a-kind, self-serve beer and wine trailer, both with rotating offerings! We take pride in curating an experience that reflects our dedication to top-tier offerings, ensuring that every bite and every sip is an experience in itself.
In addition to our standard weekend service, we’re also available to rent for special events! We’ve also launched a dog program offering dog obedience training and monthly social events called “Yappy Hours” where dogs and dog owners can mingle, win prizes, and listen to fabulous guest speakers.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I’m a big board game person. I love nothing more than to find new board games and introduce them to people. My game library is in the hundreds at this point, and I hope to one day design my own. It’s a bit of a passion project in the back of my mind, but who knows—maybe one day it’ll make its way onto the shelves!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.greengaitsocala.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greengaits
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GreenGaits
- Other: https://www.greengaitsocala.com/thepavilion
Image Credits
Jim Jernigan – Jim Jernigan’s Studio Gallery and Studio
Cameron Townsend – Cameron Behind the Lens
