Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in agriculture but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with India Amarina, CCO of Pacific Grown Impact, located in Carpinteria, CA, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

In 2019 I started Pacific Grown Impact, a nonprofit whose mission is to improve the health of our community by fighting food insecurity and nutrition inequity amongst children and families. We aim to achieve this by providing access to fresh, sustainable organic produce and supporting health education.

Tell us about yourself

​Many U.S. households still struggle to obtain enough food for healthy, active lives, with inadequate access to food because of limited financial or other resources. Santa Barbara is no exception. This food insecurity affects physical and mental health. For example, food insecurity can contribute to cognitive and behavioral problems, especially among children and those with anxiety, mental distress, and poorer general health. I believe all children and their families should equally have consistent access to and understanding of nutritional and tasty food to allow them to grow and flourish in our community together.

Santa Barbara County's 2019 Community Needs Health Assessment highlighted that 21.5% of adults reported being "food insecure." 32% of Latino respondents reported being food insecure, while 15% of non-Hispanic whites did. For those making less than $35,000 a year — and those who never finished high school — the numbers were 40.9 and 40.7, respectively. Overall, the report found the most significant discrepancies tracked according to ethnicity, income, age, and educational achievement. Economic and social objectives for businesses should not be presumed as distinct or competing. I am passionate about closing these gaps in society.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Each year, Pacific Grown Impact donates hundreds of tons of fresh organic fruits and vegetables directly from my little farm to the local high school, various children's projects, local restaurants, and families in need. The impact and gratification of my work are tangible and growing and keep me inspired every day.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

One of the hardest things about being a business owner is needing to oversee everything while trying to delegate and not overmanage. Setting reasonable goals and timelines is important to keep yourself from overworking. Agriculture keeps me on my toes with weather sourcing, temporary labor, and varied harvests. It can make it challenging to coordinate with those receiving the donations, which also need advanced notice to plan for meals and produce processing. As much as anyone wants to streamline and standardize their procedures, running a business is forever a dance.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Invest in your team. These people will be part of your life for a chapter, so learn how they thrive best with you and encourage them to be excited about your business.
  2. Delegate time for detail-oriented work and macro planning sessions
    getting pulled between the two worlds can be stressful.
  3. Keep meeting new people. I mean everyone. Make sure you know your neighbors, your city council members, and local business owners.
  4. Sincerely engaging in your community is one of the most valuable things you can invest in as a business owner.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.pacificgrownimpact.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pacificgrownorganics/

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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