Family Business – Page 11

23 Mar 2020

Close your feed and write.

I do not like being told what to do. Yes, I just gave you a robust declarative statement, but it was for your good: Close your feed and write. We are no longer conditioned to write, yet our consumption of words, posts, videos, pictures is higher than ever. Your mind has become one-way as you push the vast majority of the traffic into your head and offer little back out, aside from a double-tap 'heart' or laughing emoji. Overwhelm and anxiety stem from this one-way flow. Your mind is struggling to keep all this information in with no safety valve…

03 Mar 2020

Part 3: “Conspicuous Leisure” or “Doing it for the ‘Gram”

Agritourism, Family Business, Marketing Tools, Seasonal Business

This lady routinely issues the Parent Veto. WHAT I LEARNED AT NAFDMA 2020 – PART 3 OF 3 Hey, [[ contact.first_name | default: 'Friend' ]], Lessons from NAFDMA, the International Association for Agritourism convention in 3 Parts. Your marketing image is entrapping you.Wine, beer & food veto the “Parent Veto”[CHANGED] "Conspicuous Leisure" or "Doing it for the 'Gram" "Conspicuous Leisure" or "Doing it for the 'Gram" You noticed at the Strawberry Festival. Three 20-somethings, dressed to the nines, sauntered out to the patch with a single quart box. They were out there for hours, and came back with 13 strawberries, full…

03 Mar 2020

WHAT I LEARNED AT NAFDMA 2020 – PART 3 OF 3 “Conspicuous Leisure” or “Doing it for the ‘Gram”

Agritourism, Family Business, Seasonal Business

WHAT I LEARNED AT NAFDMA 2020 – PART 3 OF 3 Hey, ~Contact.FirstName~, Lessons from NAFDMA, the International Association for Agritourism convention in 3 Parts. Your marketing image is entrapping you.Wine, beer & food veto the “Parent Veto”[CHANGED] "Conspicuous Leisure" or "Doing it for the 'Gram" "Conspicuous Leisure" or "Doing it for the 'Gram" You noticed at the Strawberry Festival. Three 20-somethings, dressed to the nines, sauntered out to the patch with a single quart box. They were out there for hours and came back with 13 strawberries, full of giggles and feverishly swiping at their phones. They were "Doing it…

28 Feb 2020

Part 2: “Avoid the Parent Veto.”

Agritourism, Family Business, Marketing Tools, Seasonal Business

This lady routinely issues the Parent Veto. WHAT I LEARNED AT NAFDMA 2020 – PART 2 OF 3 Hey, [[ contact.first_name | default: 'Friend' ]], Lessons from NAFDMA, the International Association for Agritourism convention in 3 Parts. Your marketing image is entrapping you.Wine, beer & food veto the “Parent Veto”Menus, food costs & quality drive profitability Wine, beer & food veto the "Parent Veto." I bet you've done it. Your kids wanted to go to Chuck-E-Cheese, and you issued what Randy White calls, "The Parent Veto." You know the food's going to be bad. NO ONE goes for the pizza. You know…

13 Dec 2019

Long-distance relationships.

Agritourism, Family Business, Maple Lawn Farms, Seasonal Business

Above is Case's autonomous tractor - No Cab! It's already in testing and coming soon to a farm near you, just not sure how soon... Long distance relationships. Hey Friends, Technology in agriculture sure has come a long way. Think of what we take for granted. I have always been a nerd, and by nerd, I mean interested in future technology and willing to give things a try even when there is no immediate benefit evident. My middle school buddy and I tied up two landlines, two modems, and connected a mac computer and a DOS computer in 6th grade so that…

22 Nov 2019

Life’s too short, only read what you’re interested in.

Agritourism, Employee Management, Family Business, Maple Lawn Farms

Working with corn maze clients across North America and the UK, creating attractions and marketing plans for hundreds more farms and entertainment businesses, plus managing nearly 100 staff across three businesses and 1,400 acres of production, retail, and entertainment in a family business generates a lot of stories. This blog is a connection point for seasonal and family business owners to look inside, learn from our mistakes, and connect on a level only people in the small business community can. Choose what you'd like to read by category or search, then surf around occasionally for something interesting you might not…

19 Nov 2019

Center Grove Orchards – Part 2 ALR Report

Agritourism, Family Business, Marketing Tools, Seasonal Business

Part 2 of 3 Report on Center Grove Orchards Hey Friends, In case you missed it, I'm reporting ideas, information and observations from the NAFDMA Advanced Learning Retreat. If you've never participated, you can learn more about the most recent ALR here. Back to Center Grove Orchards, which I'll be reporting on in 3 parts: Farm Market and indoor spacesFoodservice bright ideasAttractions & admissions Full disclosure: I am not a foodie. I like to eat food and enjoy time out with friends trying new things, but I am not a foodie. Disclosure 2: I am not a food service person…

15 Nov 2019

ALR Report Center Grove Orchards – Part 1

Agritourism, Family Business, Marketing Tools, Seasonal Business

Part 1 of 3 Report on Center Grove Orchards Hey, [[ contact.first_name | default: 'Friend' ]], Part 1 - NAFDMA ALR Report Center Grove Orchards - Part 1 "In the market." I admit that I have wanted to visit Steve and Deanna Black's farm for a long time. (Quick note: They are brother and sister, not husband and wife!) The NAFDMA Advanced Learning Retreat is a gem of agritourism learning experiences with essentially a 'deep dive' into the specifics of 1 to 2 operations. It is not a quick, 1 hour per stop 6 stops in a day bus tour. The benefit…

25 Oct 2019

The Lowe’s have been visiting for 3 years longer than Farmer Hugh has been alive.

Agritourism, Family Business, Maize Quest Corn Maze & Fun Park, Seasonal Business

Pumpkin picking is for families! FINAL weekend of pumpkin picking on the farm, so bring your family for some fun, then head to the patch on the FREE wagon ride. Apple Orchards FINAL PYO Orchard Weekend! We will have apples in bins in the market thru Nov 3, 2019. We have to save the apples from falling to the ground. Red Chief, Smoothee Gold, Empires, JonaGold, Stayman, Rome, York Regular Orchard & Market Hours: Mon-Sat 8AM-5PM, Sun 1PM-7PM Regular Winery Hours: Sat 12PM-5PM, Sun 1PM-5PM Regular Maize Quest: Fri 10AM-10PM, Sat 10AM-10PM, Sun 1PM-7PM Farm Market & Maize Quest Corn Maze Open Thru…

04 Oct 2019

Maybe you just need a change in perspective.

Agritourism, Family Business, Maize Quest Corn Maze & Fun Park, Seasonal Business

Hey, I'm in a busy season of life, and maybe you are, too. Between business, family, teenagers, community activities and everything else we have to juggle in our lives, it seems like life and decision-making keep getting closer. Almost like I'm living life right in front of my face. If you've raised teenagers, you know what I mean. You'll hear things such as, "This test is life or death", or "If I don't get my drivers license, everything's over", or "I can't stand this [INSERT person/place/thing/idea] for one more minute". That's living life "right in front of your face". As we age, the notion of wisdom might…