Consider the Lilies
Conversations on how to better share these creations with the world
As the season winds down, Colt and I keep having conversations about how we want to improve next year. I guess you could say we've been setting goals and dreaming together.
This is what happens when you get to be your own boss and decide what kind of life you want to build.
As I reflect on the entire season, what keeps coming to my mind are the many conversations I've had with our customers. We truly have some of the most supportive, thoughtful, and amazing people visit our farm.
We welcomed many new visitors this year, including quite a few who live relatively close by. That makes me feel good because it tells me the work I'm putting into social media is beginning to reach more people so more can share in this experience.
But what has surprised me the most is how many people—especially fellow entrepreneurs—have shared incredible ideas about how we can make the farm even better, more fun, and more streamlined. I welcome every bit of wisdom people are willing to share. Their perspectives are exactly what will help us grow and continue improving what we do.
One tech-savvy customer gave me fantastic advice about organizing our daylilies and finding a point-of-sale system that won't break the bank.
Other local business owners suggested hosting events at the farm. Food trucks. Photography sessions. Girls' nights. Workshops. Every conversation sparked another exciting possibility.
One member of a local gardening club even asked if their club could hold meetings at our farm.
Many customers shared their favorite methods for controlling weeds and the products they use to keep their daylilies healthy while managing those pesky invaders.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes!
I want to do it all.
On another note, a local farm owner stopped by and shared her wisdom about using Square to better organize our flower sales. But her most valuable advice had nothing to do with technology. She reminded me to protect family time and personal time—to never work so hard on the land that it comes at the expense of the people you love.
All of this wisdom.
All of these wonderful ideas.
I welcome them all.
I'll carefully consider each one. Our season is so short, and I believe every minute can be used to make the experience more enjoyable and give more people the opportunity to share in the beauty of this place.
So, if you, my dear reader, have an idea about how Daylily Connection can be even better, I'd love to hear it. Please share it with me. Some of our best ideas have started with a simple conversation.
I'm in a season of life where I want to feel a deep sense of purpose in everything I do. I work hard at my day job, and I truly love it. But there is something incredibly special about working the land and sharing God's beautiful creation with others.
That is my goal moving forward.
I want to leave you with a verse my sister, Jill, shared with me. She gave me a beautiful framed painting of a lily with these words, and it now hangs in my room. It's one of the first things I see every morning.
"Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like one of these."
Luke 12:27
And so, I will always consider the lilies.
I believe your first season was successful with all the work you put in. So keep the balance in mind and after some reflection after the season is over tackle one or two things to make it easier on you, you can always add from there, it sounds like you got some good ideas.