Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in agriculture but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Marcus Carini, founder of Newfound Foodscapes, located in Alameda, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Simply, I help people grow their own nutrient-dense food. Through designing and building edible gardens, also helping maintain existing gardens, or coaching them to grow. My services extend to setting up compost bins, vermiculture (worm composting), building chicken coops, and advising on raising chickens. My clients include families that want to have a better connection to their food, people who can't physically do it anymore, and people who want to learn for themselves.
Tell us about yourself
I was raised in a gardening family; after my parents divorced, my dad bought the house next to my mom. Even after they moved on to significant others, we all came together to garden in my dad's huge garden. This taught me to stay connected to my loved ones and form an everlasting love of connection to family and the land. Fast forward 30 years to my own garden, and during the pandemic, I was missing my connection to my community. I was gardening in my back yard, closed off from the rest of the world, then posting on social media the rewards of my labors. It felt empty and fake. I need that community and exchange you get from social interactions. Food shortages and fear had a lot of people anxious, while my family and I were making down on delicious nutrient-dense salads every night from the yard. I had to share my knowledge and experience with my neighbors. I had to help my neighbors do the same.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Hearing my client tell me that he has made a little routine with his daughter of coming home after school and work, harvesting from the garden, and preparing a salad together for dinner. If I can assist in helping people connect with each other and their food together. I'm good. It's those small stories that outweigh any financial rewards or achievements.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
When to say no. I have many situations where a potential client wants a really fancy-designed yard with very little space for growing. I have to stay true to my focus on helping people grow food. I know many other wonderful landscape designers can create elegant leisure spaces. In my edible gardens, I do incorporate areas for rest and leisure, but I must stay focused on my mission of getting people to connect to their food.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Do it for the love, and the money will follow. People want stories; they want to invest in people with a genuine story and passion. If you are passionate about your product or service, it won't feel like a sleazy sales pitch.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.newfoundfoodscapes.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Newfoundfoodscapes/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newfoundfoodscapes/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/newfound-foodscapes/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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