KCARD works with a lot of farmers and business owners. Some are happy with their business, some are happy with their personal life, but the ones that are happiest with both aspects have found a way to align their personal goals with the goals that they have for the business. Sometimes, that means stepping back from their business and acknowledging that the plans that they once had for the business no longer match their current lives.
I spoke with a farmer recently who did just that. Their business was hopping a few years ago, and the farm was totally committed to growing at a rapid rate to keep up with the increased demand from customers. Until it wasn’t. What the farmer and the farm family realized was that the trade-off to get that rapid growth in terms of the squeeze on their household finances and their time together as a family was too much. Instead of pursuing that sales growth, they hit pause and decided to reduce the number of marketing channels they had. It was tough making that decision, but now that the farm is on the other side of that decision, guess what? They are happier than ever.
Society tends to think both that businesses need to grow, grow, grow even when the growth is not working for the owners and that stepping back is a sign of weakness or failure.
Those of us that work in business development day-in/day-out see something else. The people who know themselves and their businesses well enough to make those tough decisions tend to be able to enjoy that business more for the long-term. We LOVE it when you grow your business, hire people, and create economic opportunities in your rural areas. But we also see the toll it can take sometimes when the trade-offs for that growth come at too high a cost.
If you want someone else at the table to talk with you about your business and reconciling the goals you have with your life, feel free to invite us to that table. It’s a conversation we have often with folks and we believe it is one of the most important conversations to have.
To learn more about KCARD and to start on your business plan, contact us today at 859-550-3972 or via email at kcard@kcard.info.