Twelve months ago I quit my day job
12 months ago, last week, I had my final day as an employee and I rolled into the relative unknown of taking a passion project and turning it into a livelihood.
Four years earlier, a conversation with a taxi driver in South Africa would be the pivotal moment where a lifetime of curiosity and experiences would intersect and provide the A-ha moment that would become Humans of Agriculture.
Over the past few weeks I've tried to deliberately take the time and reflect (thank you ARLP!) on the journey since that conversation and what would ensue. I'm really proud of where it has come to.
Fortunately, my friends and family have been incredibly supportive and this journey of turning a passion project into a side hustle and ultimately into a business wouldn't have been possible without them.
My sister Sass and I (pictured below while on that trip in South Africa!) decided we'd hit record and chat about what has happened over the past 12 months.
A few of the reflections and things we touched on:
💭 The negative self talk that had riddled me in previous roles and why HOA was different
🤔 Going beyond passion to the level of obsession with creating content, stories and a business
💵 How much I've learnt about financial sustainability in building a business on purpose.
🤝 The greatest benefits of having a team, and the behind the scenes anxiety it can generate for me
🌱 The learnings about creating culture - having Birthday day offs, Wellbeing Wednesdays, trying to make people happy... and what I got wrong about it.
🎙️ The beauty in finding a new mentor on the podcast every week and the ongoing friendships and conversations.
I was a bit hesitant about hitting record & releasing this one, but to be honest, the greatest benefit I have found through this conversation with Sass - it gave me the chance to get out of my own head.
I'm now clearer on why we exist, what we're trying to do and how we will do it.
Our purpose is to shift the stigma and narrative around agriculture and create a sense of community amongst those from farm to fork and beyond.
We believe that agriculture is instrumental in creating a future for our children's children that's happier, healthier and more prosperous.
So, we're on a journey to understand what it's like today and how it can be better in the future.
If you want to listen - check it out here on Apple, Spotify or via our podcast page.
As always, there's been so many people who have been so generous with their time, advice, have spoken honestly and candidly with me and I am eternally grateful for your support and guidance. The businesses that have partnered with us and the team and business we are growing, the present and future for Humans of Agriculture is exciting!