Today we have Jack Bobo with us for our first advocacy interview! Jack is the CEO of Futurity as well as the Director of Global Food and Water Policy for The Nature Conservancy. Jack is also the author of the book Why Smart People Make Bad Food Choices. Jack works with food companies, farmers, and ranchers to think about what the future of food looks like. 

 

In this advocacy conversation, we cover:

• Where consumer trends and attitudes are going
• The importance of how we approach the topic of food
• Consumer behavior, communication, and psychology
• The differences in how farmers think of sustainability vs. how consumers think of sustainability 

 

Resources and links:

• Jack Bobo’s book, Why Smart People Make Bad Food Choices: https://www.amazon.com/Smart-People-Make-Food-Choices-ebook/dp/B091V399X6/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=1G1TD744EIAW5&keywords=why+smart+people+make+bad+food+choices&qid=1658204554&sprefix=why+smart+p%2Caps%2C1522&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyWkJWTUQ0QlEwN0k3JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMjEzNTIwS1ZSQ0xNRUZOS0JQJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA5Njc0MjcyVU5UR0FNTzBGUjZQJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==
• Connect with Jack on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackbobo/ and Twitter https://twitter.com/Jack_A_Bobo
• Apply to our Mastermind, Elevate the Summit: https://www.elevateyouragstory.com/summit
• Sign up for the Book Club: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/627b212146c9ddac8218a2bb
• Sign up for our Newsletter: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/61fe85456114df05454c559a 
• Sign up for our course waitlist to be the first to know when doors open! https://www.elevateyouragstory.com/course 
• Visit our website, https://www.elevateyouragstory.com/
• Connect with @nataliekovarik and @taravanderdussen on Instagram

 

Be sure to hit subscribe so you never miss an episode!

 

Find the full show notes here: https://www.elevateyouragstory.com/blogposts/017-advocacy-is-agriculture-the-problem-to-solve-or-is-it-part-of-the-solution-with-jack-bobo

 

Please note this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

Today is our first Candid Conversations episode! In these episodes, we’ll cover topics within agriculture, rural entrepreneurship, and life in general.

 

In this candid conversation, we cover:

• Updates in both of our personal lives and a funny story about cupcakes
• The Dutch farmer protests and the ripple effects that would impact all of Ag
• Tara’s mom’s famous quiche recipe

 

Resources and links:

• Apply to our Mastermind, Elevate the Summit: https://www.elevateyouragstory.com/summit
• Sign up for the Book Club: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/627b212146c9ddac8218a2bb!
• Sign up for our Newsletter: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/61fe85456114df05454c559a 
• Sign up for our course waitlist to be the first to know when doors open! https://www.elevateyouragstory.com/course 
• Visit our website, Elevate Ag: https://www.elevateyouragstory.com/
• Connect with @nataliekovarik and @taravanderdussen on Instagram

 

Be sure to hit subscribe so you never miss an episode!

 

Find the complete show notes (including the quiche recipe!) here: https://www.elevateyouragstory.com/blogposts/016-candid-conversations-dutch-farmer-protest-cupcakes-quiches

 

Please note this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

On today’s Mastermind episode, we’re speaking with Michelle Mensing about how to package her offers to get more exposure. Michelle grew up on a family farm in southwest Iowa and was active in 4-H and FFA growing up. Following college, Michelle started her career in the agriculture industry and picked up a camera as a hobby in her free time. She loved how that creative outlet kept her connected to the family farm she grew up on. 

 

After a few years, she realized that there was a demand for all of the agriculture and western photos sitting on her computer. Several women she met in an online business group expressed the need for stock photos that resonated with their rural community, but struggled to have the time to get outside and take photos on their own farms and ranches while juggling their many responsibilities with work, kids, etc. Michelle decided to create a stock photo membership geared directly towards these small business owners so they had access to a library of images to help share their story online. Today she is here to mastermind ideas on how she can grow her business and source and convert more clients.

 

In this episode we cover:

• How to pivot when packaging is creating a barrier for your clients
• Getting clear on your ideal client, how to reach them, and how to speak to them 
• Ideas on additional packages as well as new deliverables to include in packages
• How to position yourself to be found by your ideal clients instead of reaching out with cold pitches 

 

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

• Visit Michelle’s website, Michelle Mensing Photography: https://michellemensingphotography.mypixieset.com/
• Connect with @michellemensing.photography on Instagram
• Check out Michelle on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/MichelleMensingPhotography/_created/
• Want to be our next Mastermind podcast guest? Fill out the application here: https://www.elevateyouragstory.com/podcast. 
• Apply to our Mastermind, Elevate the Summit : https://www.elevateyouragstory.com/summit
• Sign up for the Book Club: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/627b212146c9ddac8218a2bb!

• Sign up for our course waitlist: https://www.elevateyouragstory.com/course to be the first to know when doors open!

• Visit our website, Elevate Ag: https://www.elevateyouragstory.com/
• Connect with @nataliekovarik and @taravanderdussen on Instagram
• Onsite Production: The Gauge: http://www.thegaugepodcast.com/

 

Be sure to hit subscribe so you never miss an episode!

 

Find the complete show notes here: https://www.elevateyouragstory.com/blogposts/014-mastermind-how-to-package-your-offer-so-it-gets-more-exposure-with-michelle-mensing-photography

On today’s episode, we are discussing our new Elevate Book Club! Every month we’ll read and discuss a new book as an Elevate community. At the beginning of the month, we’ll send out an email with that month’s book title and the guest who picked it. Then, at the end of the month, tune into our podcast for an episode devoted entirely to all things book club fun! 

 

In this bonus episode, we’ll cover: 

• All the details of the book club 
• Learning and connecting through different perspectives 
• The goal of community and fun! 

 

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

• Sign up for the Book Club!
• Apply to our Mastermind, Elevate the Summit 
• Learn more about our online course, Elevate Ag
• Visit our website, Elevate Ag
• Connect with Natalie and Tara on Instagram

• Onsite Production: The Gauge

 

Be sure to hit subscribe so you never miss an episode!

 

Find the complete show notes here: https://www.elevateyouragstory.com/blogposts/013-join-our-community-book-club-sign-up-for-email-list

On today’s bonus episode we wanted to dive deep into our latest offer: Elevate the Summit. This is a high level, small group mastermind and coaching community for the agriculture, western and rural entrepreneur who is ready to accelerate their impact, streamline their income and elevate themselves and their business to the next level. 

 

In this bonus episode, we’ll cover: 

• How pivotal and powerful in-person retreats have been for both of us in our businesses 
• What you can expect to gain and achieve out of the summit
• Explain in detail what the summit is and who it is for
• All details such as logistics, venue, and agenda of the summit

 

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

• Apply to our Mastermind, Elevate the Summit: https://www.elevateyouragstory.com/summit
• Learn more about our online course, Elevate Ag:  https://www.elevateyouragstory.com/course
• Visit our website, Elevate Ag: https://www.elevateyouragstory.com/
• Connect with @nataliekovarik and @taravanderdussen on Instagram

• Onsite Production: The Gauge: http://www.thegaugepodcast.com/

 

Be sure to hit subscribe so you never miss an episode! 

 

Find the complete show notes here: https://www.elevateyouragstory.com/blogposts/bonus-surprise-elevate-the-summit

On today’s show we talk to Maggie Nantz about managing growth in your online business. Maggie is the founder of the ever popular kids and babies western clothing line, Cowkid Clothing Company. Maggie is a married mother of five, living in rural Texas. Originally raised on her family’s registered angus operation in the Midwest, the route that took her from Michigan to Texas was filled with many hardships and hindrances, but Maggie never let it deter her from the intentions she knew God had placed on her heart. 

 

In this episode we cover:

• The hardships Maggie and her family faced and how they got through them
• Being on the brink of quitting and what kept her going
• The process and mindset of her finding creativity and joy in her work again

 

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

• Connect with Maggie on Instagram @cowkidclothingcompany
• Visit Maggie’s website, https://cowkidclothingcompany.com/
• Apply to our Mastermind, https://www.elevateyouragstory.com/summit
• Learn more about our online course, https://www.elevateyouragstory.com/course
• Visit our website, https://www.elevateyouragstory.com/
• Connect with @nataliekovarik and @taravanderdussen on Instagram

• Onsite Production: http://www.thegaugepodcast.com/

 

Be sure to hit subscribe so you never miss an episode!

 

Find the complete show notes here: https://www.elevateyouragstory.com/blogposts/012-interview-managing-growth-of-your-online-business-with-maggie-nantz-of-cowkid-clothing-company

On today’s episode we’re talking about all things negotiating pricing, brand partnerships, salaries and more. We are going to walk you through our proven strategies of negotiating starting with knowing your worth and not being afraid to ask for it. Talking about money can make people uncomfortable, but we are not shying away from the tough conversations. We are sharing our first hand experiences of negotiating.

 

In this episode we cover:

• Knowing your worth and the value you add
• being prepared, strategic, and assessing the situation when pitching yourself 
• You have to earn what you are asking for
• The value in being told no

 

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

• Apply to our Mastermind, Elevate the Summit: https://www.elevateyouragstory.com/summit
• Learn more about our online course, Elevate Ag https://www.elevateyouragstory.com/course
• Visit our website, https://www.elevateyouragstory.com/
• Connect with @nataliekovarik and @taravanderdussen on Instagram

• Onsite Production: The Gauge: http://www.thegaugepodcast.com/

 

Be sure to hit subscribe so you never miss an episode!

 

Find the complete show notes here: https://www.elevateyouragstory.com/blogposts/011-negotiating-pricing-with-natalie-and-tara-brand-partnerships-salaries-and-more

On today’s show we talk to Suzy Holman about how she uses alignment to create multi-million dollar businesses. Suzy Holman is the woman behind several multi million dollar companies including Suzy School and the Jovi patch. Suzy was born and raised in small(er) town Idaho with the mindset that female entrepreneurs don’t exist. She can recall a core childhood memory attending a banquet, in a ribboned blue dress, watching her dad accept “businessman of the year” and thinking “I hope I marry a businessman someday.” It wasn’t until college that she realized that not only do female entrepreneurs exist, she could be one herself. This led her down a many-year journey of fueling her passions with purpose and creating space where she could not only be the best version of herself, but she could help other women in her community do the same.

 

In this episode we cover:

• Mom guilt and how you can be called to do something alongside motherhood
• How being true to herself has been the magic ingredient to every dream she’s brought to fruition 
• What alignment means to Suzy and why it’s so important
• How to know when you’re in alignment 
• Our spouse’s/support system’s role in our alignment 
• Why there’s a disconnect in alignment for so many people 

 

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

• Connect with Suzy on Instagram @suzyholman
• Visit Suzy’s website, https://suzyschool.com/
• Learn more about Jovi patch https://meetjovi.com/
• Apply to our Mastermind, Elevate the Summit: https://www.elevateyouragstory.com/summit
• Learn more about our online course, Elevate Ag: https://www.elevateyouragstory.com/course
• Visit our website, https://www.elevateyouragstory.com/
• Connect with @nataliekovarik and @taravanderdussen on Instagram
• Onsite Production: http://www.thegaugepodcast.com/

 

Be sure to hit subscribe so you never miss an episode! 

 

Find the complete show notes here: https://www.elevateyouragstory.com/blogposts/010-interview-using-alignment-to-create-multi-million-dollar-businesses-with-suzy-holman

Elevate Ag is an online course and community where farmers, ranchers and other producers can come together to access the tools and information they need to craft, share and monetize their own personal Ag story. 

 

Created by Agriculture for Agriculture, Elevate opens the doors for the rural entrepreneurs so they can ELEVATE themselves, their businesses and the lifestyle we all love.

 

ENROLLMENT opens May 31st and closes June 6th. Don’t miss this chance to join the course and community. 

 

WHAT PAST STUDENTS ARE SAYING: 

 

“It's a goldmine of information to the social media world with an Agricultural focus!”

 

“I gained a foundation I needed to work on my future direction for project and business ideas, skills I needed for advocating for Ag media and business.”

 

“Worth the investment.”

 

“Before Elevate Ag I knew where I wanted to go, I just had NO idea how to get there. They say a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step but I felt like I didn't even have my shoes on yet! Natalie and Tara don't just give you a road map, they show you how to tie your shoes and hold your hand during those first wobbly steps. I still have a long journey ahead but now I feel like I not only have direction but a whole community giving me confidence and walking the path with me.”

 

In this episode we cover:

• What Elevate Ag is and how it came to be
• Our mission and hope for what Elevate Ag will bring to your life
• Who Elevate Ag was created for and who will benefit from it
• The two different paths of the course
• What’s included in each module as well as additional resources
• The most important piece of Elevate Ag: the community 

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

• Enroll in our online course Elevate Ag
• Visit our website, Elevate Ag
• Connect with Natalie and Tara on Instagram
• Onsite Production: The Gauge

 

Be sure to hit subscribe so you never miss an episode! 

 

Find the complete show notes here: https://www.elevateyouragstory.com/blogposts/009-elevate-ag-is-live-enroll-now-to-learn-how-to-share-and-monetize-online-with-natalie-and-tara

Dr. Hake is a graduate of Michigan State University where she received her Bachelor's degree in Animal Science, a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine and a Masters in Public Health. Her interests include young-stock care and handling, on-farm protocol and culture development and animal welfare. She is passionate about communicating with consumers about modern agriculture through her personal social media accounts. She lives in NW Ohio with her full-time farming husband, Travis, and their two sons, McCoy and Hayes.

 

Dr. Hake is what we call a multi-passionate business owner. She has many interests, and we’d say she excels in all of them. While this can seem like a good thing, and oftentimes is, sometimes being a multi-passionate business owner can also come with negatives too. Like being spread too thin, feeling overwhelmed and lacking the time needed to tend to all your businesses. Listen to today’s mastermind as we deep dive into all of these different things with Marissa and brainstorm what we can do to help her feel more in control of all of her online ventures.

 

In this episode, we cover:

• How important and life-changing outsourcing is
• Types of tasks and projects that can be outsourced 
• Ideas on how to repurpose content
• The value in building your email list and different ways to nurture your newsletter subscribers 

 

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

• Visit Dr. Hake’s website, Black Label Farms: https://www.blacklabelfarms2020.com/
• Visit Dr. Hake’s website, Calf Vet: https://www.drhakecalfvet.com/
• Connect with @calfvet_ on Instagram
• Job site: Of The West: https://ofthewest.co/
• Visit Renae’s site, The Wild Web Co. : https://www.thewildwebco.com/ 
• Visit Mary Faber’s site, Mary T. Faber Solutions : https://www.mtfaber.com/ and our bookkeeping webinar : https://www.elevateyouragstory.com/webinar-blogs/bookkeeping-101 with Mary

• Sign up for our course waitlist to be the first to know when doors open! https://www.elevateyouragstory.com/course 
• Want to be our next Mastermind guest? Fill out the application here: https://www.elevateyouragstory.com/podcast 

• Visit our website, https://www.elevateyouragstory.com/
• Connect with @nataliekovarik and @taravanderdussen on Instagram
• Onsite Production: The Gauge : http://www.thegaugepodcast.com/

 

Be sure to hit subscribe so you never miss an episode!

 

Find the complete show notes here: https://www.elevateyouragstory.com/blogposts/008-mastermind-outsourcing-and-managing-multi-passion-businesses-with-dr-marissa-hake