From Farmers Market Dream to Full-Time Success: Hang 10 Poké Celebrates 5 Years

Five years ago, before sunrise lit the streets of downtown Fond du Lac, the founders of Hang 10 Poké loaded coolers packed with fresh ingredients into a vehicle and headed to the local farmers market with a simple but ambitious goal: test whether the community would embrace something entirely new.

At the time, many doubted the idea would survive.

The concept of serving fresh poké bowls and raw fish at a Wisconsin farmers market seemed risky — especially for a young family expecting their first child and entering an industry where most small food businesses struggle to make it past five years.

But with determination, a borrowed sushi cooler purchased from a former boss at Island Sushi, and belief in their product, the team behind Hang 10 Poké took the leap anyway.

“We opened up and told people that yes, we were indeed selling raw fish on the street,” the owners shared in a recent anniversary message.

Now, five years later, the business is celebrating a major milestone — one built through resilience, community support, and perseverance through difficult seasons.

The journey was far from easy. During year three, the owners admit they nearly walked away from the business altogether. But encouragement from loyal customers, friends, family, and an unwavering support system helped keep the dream alive.

Today, Hang 10 Poké has grown far beyond those early mornings at the farmers market. The business now operates six days a week, runs a full-time food trailer, and employs a trusted staff that allows the owners to confidently balance both the storefront and mobile operations.

“When I’m on the truck, I don’t even worry about the store,” the owner said. “I just know they’ve got it handled.”

Looking ahead, the next chapter for Hang 10 Poké includes expanding both its menu and overall reach.

Part of that growth includes returning to Appleton, where the journey first began years ago before dawn on that first market morning. The business recently appeared at Area509, bringing the now fully realized concept back to the community where the dream originally took shape.

As they celebrate five years in business, the owners remain deeply grateful to everyone who helped make the journey possible — especially loyal customers and family members, including a heartfelt thank you to “Em.”

What started with a cooler, a few ingredients, and a belief in an unconventional idea has become one of the area’s recognizable local food success stories — proof that sometimes the biggest risks lead to the greatest rewards.