Apr 14, 2022
From passionate roots to torn up backyards, the Fivefork Farms is a family business that started out with 2 siblings, Grace and Lee, who join Karen & Ted in order to share their inspirational story. Grace starts out by sharing how their growing genes came from their mom, Helen, who had a mammoth garden that had dazzling Dahlias which Grace found out quickly about as her soccer balls kept breaking them. It was her mom’s garden that helped Grace realise from a young age that she loved gardening while Lee found out quickly that weeding wasn’t actually a game and most certainly wasn’t fun.
With the inception of the business, Grace shares that a lot of firsts took place during the first 3 years involving tears, drama, disaster, some comedy from time to time and oh yeah did we mention tears? Karen alludes to the good reputation and incredible flowers that come out of Fivefork and Ted is able to ask some thought provoking questions to learn more about the ins and outs of family businesses. With the farm & business starting in 2012 in their parents backyard, Helen may have been a bit upset about her home backyard torn up for the sake of her children’s brand new endeavour but deep down she was probably ecstatic that her children took a liking to her own hobby.
Living together and working together, Fivefork siblings were able to grow the business enough to buy a new property in 2013. Fivefork Farms represents the 5 siblings, with each member bringing a unique talent and work ethic to the table. Grace and Lee share genius ideas brought along the way and how their current farm fell perfectly into their lap which then included lots of DIY and convincing of friends and family to help along the way. Ted brings forth insight on how family business includes money and ego, and money so he inquires how the family members stay in their lane and Grace shares the dirty secrets (pun intended).
Being the realist she is, Karen asks if there was ever a moment the family thought they were going to lose their shirt and take a vow of poverty. Grace and Lee share what it took for them to not lose their shirt which had to do with their past jobs and roles while also putting blinders on from time to time. It’s also made abundantly clear by Grace and Lee that when disaster strikes, you need to lean on those around you and call on family and friends to support you. Important tips around community are shared by Lee and how specific movements can help increase the success of building a new business.
Throughout the episode, a theme of passion, trust and banding together shines through, while going big or going home can be a reality. There is no blueprint and at the end of the day, in this family business, each sibling always wants what’s best for each other and that has to be a reason why Fivefork Farms has been so successful.