Sycamore teen finds entrepreneurial spirit with sweet corn stand

SYCAMORE – When stopping by Shelby’s Sweet Corn Stand, 1787 Brickville Road in Sycamore, customers are likely to meet 19-year-old entrepreneur Shelby Edwards, who greets everyone with a friendly smile.

Edwards was diagnosed at age 1 with a chromosomal disorder and brain abnormality. Her mother, Rebecca Edwards, said “she has always been positive, [even through] learning disabilities and her body slowing and in pain, she doesn’t let it stop her.”

“‘No’ means nothing to her,” Rebecca Edwards said. “It means ‘try harder with a big smile.’”

Shelby Edwards plants, cares for, harvests and sells the sweet corn herself. Edwards’ twin brother Bradford started the stand in 2016 and passed it down to her. After work, Bradford helps his sister pick corn every day. Their grandparents, Ron and Sindy Edwards, donate the 2 acres of land where the corn is grown.

Shelby’s Sweet Corn Stand is open from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The Ambrosia bi-color corn sells for $5 for a baker’s dozen or $3 for half a dozen.

In the spring, Edwards staggered the planting of the corn to allow for ripe corn to be picked fresh daily. The stand will be open until Labor Day or until the field runs out of corn.

With the money she earns, Edwards purchases next year’s seed, fertilizer and peppermint, which she uses to deter deer, raccoons, squirrels and bugs.

Her long-term goal is to earn enough money to build a shed and to one day also sell tomatoes.

Rebecca Edwards said that working the sweet corn stand “has given Shelby an opportunity to shine.”

“Normally, she’s a shy person, but now she’s talking to everyone and getting to know them,” Rebecca Edwards said. “She’s showing others that she’s someone that’s more than her disability. I’m so proud of her for her hard work. She was given the life expectancy of 3, and now she’s 19. She’s overcome the obstacles of her disability, and she never lets it stop her.”

Shelby Edwards said she likes having the corn stand because she likes to talk to people.

“It’s a lot of work, but I like it,” she said. “It’s fun for me to do all of the work.”

Rebecca Edwards said Shelby told her the reason she continues to sell sweet corn is “to show everyone that anyone can do whatever they set their mind to.”

“She’s learned so much already, and I’ve seen her really grow as a person,” Rebecca Edwards said. “People often only look at labels, and she is an amazing young woman. She’s applied for many jobs, but not had much luck. It means so much to me, to our family, that Shelby has found acceptance and support in the community. They are coming to realize what a great person she is, how hard working, kind and generous she is, and it’s all because of this sweet corn stand.”

For more information about Shelby’s Sweet Corn Stand, visit the stand’s Facebook page.