Our Journey www.strawberryhillfarm.ca

Starting point  Original plans for farm  Change of plans   Lots of decisions   Jumping in so fast brought a lot of

expenses right away  Costs a lot to run a farm  Employee issues

 Major – drugs, people leaving, crops left in field

  Family issues

Need to Refocus  Work became all consuming  No weekends or time off  Strained relationship – marriage in jeopardy  Difficult to keep going as we were

 Winter packing and delivery challenges  Kirsten’s Outlook   Tim’s Outlook  Go larger or go smaller  Need to be on the same page

Where to go for Help?  Other Farmers?  Successful business person and advisor

 Went to see Andrew Hordyk in ON   Aborist and business owner for 15 years   Trainer  Good work life balance   Similar moral and family values

Personal Goals  Goosebump meter

  Are you happy with current status ○  Business? ○  Personal life?

 Relationships   Time with Family  R&R away from farm  Bucket List  Volunteering

How can farm or business support your personal goals?

 Smaller with fewer employees?  Building a team approach?  Our story  Difficult to keep going as we were

 Winter packing and delivery challenges  Market strong

 Business Plan

How did it work out?  Were able to do all that was in the plan

and more   Buy home for foreign workers  Moved warehouse ahead one year

 Easier to pay bills  Employee situation better but still need

improvement   Finding, hiring, and keeping good help has

become #1 issue.  Personal life improving