Sustainable or ‘Beyond Organic’

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Katie Nix, co-owner of Righteous Oaks Farm LLC., located in Aitkin, MN, USA.

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

Righteous Oaks Farm is a diverse small family farm. We are located on our century family farm in southern Aitkin County, Minnesota. Our foundational philosophy is to exercise careful dominion over the resources that have been entrusted to us rather than careless exploitation. We seek to show that to our customers and guests. We direct the market to people all over Minnesota from our farm and through farmer's markets.

Tell us about yourself

As we first started, we sought to connect farm and community and be an outlet for Christian ministry by providing a place for relationships to grow, with Isaiah 61 from the Bible being our underlying theme. Leaving a more sustainable and built-up farm for our children keeps us going.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

One thing we did before we moved to the farm was ask our children what enterprise they would like to start. Our seven-year-old wanted to raise chickens and continued to sell eggs seven years later. Our two-year-old wanted to raise elephants, pink elephants; unfortunately, he had to alter his plans being that we live in Northern Minnesota. He successfully saved money for a dog that has brought him more than financial success. Involving our whole family in our business has been probably our biggest joy and motivation in this business. Having accomplished endurance through hard times has been made easier with this motivation.

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

The most difficult part of our job has been a loss. Death and disease are a reality in our broken world, and personal or business loss has often been overwhelming, but God has always provided and seen us through.

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

Start one thing and become really good at that before adding more.
Try to operate as debt-free as possible.
Have obtainable goals and reflect on how to meet them often.

We have made many upgrades to our farm over the years. It has been hard work from the start. It took seven years for us to have enough money to go solar. However, looking back on each of the accomplishments we've had that once felt impossible continues to overwhelm us with thankfulness. At one time, we had $0.56 in our bank account, but each step of the way, God has provided more than we could have ever asked for.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://righteousoaksfarm.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/righteousoaksfarm
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/righteousoaks/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nixiesrus

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.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.