Explore every episode of the podcast The Workhorse Podcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome to The Workhorse Podcast! | 12 Jan 2025 | 00:04:04 | |
Welcome to The Workhorse Podcast, where we dig deep into the grit, passion, and strategy behind building a successful rural business. Hosted by Kendall Ballantine of Central Park Farms and Jessica Garza of Moose Valley Ranch, this podcast is for hardworking female farmers and rural entrepreneurs who are ready to turn their dreams into thriving businesses. From marketing your business online and direct-to-consumer strategies to balancing farm family life and business growth, we’re here to give you practical tools, candid insights, and a healthy dose of community support. This is for the doers, the women who scale their business during the long trips to town, the workhorses. If you’re looking to dive even deeper into our community, check out The Workhorse Collective, a growing group of rural women entrepreneurs. https://www.marketingforfarmers.co/business-coaching-for-farmers | |||
| The Stepmom, The Sibling, and The Succession Plan | 30 Jan 2025 | 00:44:03 | |
In today's episode, we're talking about the complexities of family business succession planning, arguably one of the most difficult topics in agriculture. Kendall (the stepmom) shares what she's dealing with running a business with her husband on her in-law's land, and Jessica (the sibling) shares how her law enforcement background has given her a unique view on family business conflicts. We have been talking about this topic for our entire relationship, and we can't stress enough the importance of having early, ongoing conversations about succession. Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode! Connect with Kendall:
Connect with Jessica:
Resources & Links: Mentioned in this episode: The Workhorse Collective Our signature group coaching program to help you ditch overwhelm and get the support you need to grow your agricultural & rural business. Click the link below! | |||
| Lessons in Failing | 23 Jan 2025 | 00:48:30 | |
No one in the history of anyone ever speaking about the two of us would accuse us of staying in one spot for too long. And that means that we don’t always get a chance to talk about all the spots we’ve been in, including failing. Like, entire businesses failing. In today’s episode, we’re sharing all the juicy details of our failed pumpkin and lobster businesses to share our biggest lessons in failing. Because they don’t get mentioned enough in the highlight reel that is social media. You see the wins over and over, but what about how many times the people you follow have started, stopped, quit, failed, and been served up some humble pie in a big way? We think it’s so important to share these “failures” because they’re where the lessons come from. Where you learn something. And what ends up making you a much better business person. So tune in to hear what Jessica learned from growing pumpkins (and sunflowers) and what Kendall learned from selling lobsters on the West Coast. In this episode, we cover:
Connect with Kendall:
Connect with Jessica:
Resources & Links: Mentioned in this episode: Interested in the next Workhorse Retreat? Click below! | |||
| Five Ways to Set Yourself Apart at Markets | 23 Jan 2025 | 00:47:09 | |
In today's episode, we're boiling down our gobsmacking market experience (as both vendors and organizers) to bring you five ways to set yourself apart at markets. We asked ourselves what we would really want to tell someone if we could sit down with you for 45 minutes and just braindump. And what we came up with for this value-packed episode are the five most important things that will work no matter the market you're at. Tune in to hear us dive deep and share examples of how you should prepare, market the market, slay your setup, hustle, and go beyond the market. Markets have been such a huge part of both of our businesses, and we love teaching and sharing about them. If markets are on your heart and you’re just starting, know there is a learning curve here. So, take something from this episode and figure out how to apply it to your own business so you can set yourself apart at future markets. In this episode, we cover:
Connect with Kendall:
Connect with Jessica:
Resources & Links: Mentioned in this episode: Save the Date for the next Market in the Mountains! Sept 27-28, 2025 at the ranch near Springdale, WA. | |||
| Balance In Rural Business: How We Do It All | 23 Jan 2025 | 00:44:36 | |
On today's episode, we are talking about the number one thing that we hear in our DMs: how we find balance in rural business. We decided to hit the nail on the head in our first podcast episode since it's not easy to answer this in 10 seconds by DM! How we do it all is by far our most asked question, so we're spilling the tea and giving you a more complete and nuanced answer. Our struggles and successes are not your struggles and successes. We are all different, and we hope that by sharing more of our story, we can help you stop comparing yourself to everyone you see on social media who seems to be balancing and doing all the things. Because what you don't see are the million and one things going on in the background. We're so excited to share this podcast with you and really dive deep with so much more behind-the-scenes as rural women entrepreneurs; like how we're making it work on the farm, off the farm, with the farm animals, the farm kids, and everything in between. Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode! In this episode about, we cover:
Connect with Kendall:
Connect with Jessica:
Resources & Links: | |||
| Integrity in Action: The True Cost of Overcommitting | 06 Feb 2025 | 00:50:18 | |
In this episode, we're talking about why one of the most important things about being in community is showing up when you say you're going to show up. So, we're sharing our own personal stories of what happens when you overcommit, the impact that can have on your business, and how to have a little grace for others when you don't know the whole story. We get it; the people-pleasing factor in business is strong, but don't let it lead you out of integrity and not show up how you say you're going to. Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode! Connect with Kendall:
Connect with Jessica:
Resources & Links: Mentioned in this episode: The Workhorse Collective Our signature group coaching program to help you ditch overwhelm and get the support you need to grow your agricultural & rural business. Click the link below! | |||
| Big Shifts in Business | 29 May 2025 | 00:34:32 | |
In today's episode, Jessica and Kendall share the big news about major changes coming to their business partnership and coaching model. What started as a four-hour financial meeting for Kendall turned into a complete pivot away from their monthly group coaching membership to an entirely new approach focused on implementation and results. The hosts get candid about recognizing when something isn't serving your business anymore - even when it's profitable and successful. They discuss the guilt of seeing members pay monthly without logging in, the challenge of serving women at vastly different business stages, and the realization that constant education without implementation creates a hamster wheel of learning without progress. Drawing from Kendall's personal experience taking two different types of courses in 2024 - one monthly subscription style and one intensive container - they discovered the power of structured, time-bound programs with built-in accountability. The new model will focus on helping women execute specific goals within their businesses rather than consuming endless content. They reveal their first two program topics: AI for rural businesses (which has fundamentally changed how Kendall operates and recently helped Jessica secure $17,000 in grant funding) and starting a rural business from idea to implementation. Both programs are designed to move women from learning to doing, with homework, accountability, and real business outcomes. The episode offers valuable insights for anyone questioning whether their current business model still serves their goals and community, showing that sometimes the boldest move is burning it all down to build something better.
Join the Workshop! Make AI Your New Business Workhorse Connect with Kendall:
Connect with Jessica:
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| Stumped By The Algorithm | 22 May 2025 | 00:44:02 | |
In today's episode, Kendall and Jess are spilling the tea on what's really happening with social media right now. With members asking questions about plummeting engagement, vanity metrics diving, and the dreaded "algorithm struggles," they're here to set the record straight on what's actually happening with your content—and what you can do about it. From the good old days of guaranteed reach (remember when you just posted a picture of dinner with that terrible rainbow filter?) to today's demanding content landscape, they break down the real reasons your posts might not be performing and how to fix it. They talk about:
Whether you're frustrated with low engagement or trying to figure out if social media is even worth your time, this episode breaks down exactly how to approach content creation as a rural business owner. Reminder: You're not creating content for yourself—you're creating it for your customers. Every post should have a purpose they can connect with. Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode! Connect with Kendall:
Connect with Jessica:
Resources & Links: | |||
| Our Take on Hustle Culture | 20 Mar 2025 | 00:49:24 | |
There is a time and a place for hustle, and there is a time and a place not to hustle. Today, we're tackling the concept of hustle culture (and girl-bossing) and the impact it's had on our lives and businesses. This episode quickly turned into a 2:00 AM retreat-style chat (which we love), but we still came full circle with some really good business tips for you. Don't forget to catch the next episode with Kendall and her husband, Jay, which is all about getting comfortable on social media! Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode! Connect with Kendall:
Connect with Jessica:
Resources & Links:
Mentioned in this episode: In this hour long workshop, learn exactly how we launched our chef-crafted prepared foods line to increase revenue with our ranch-raised meat. Click below to learn more. | |||
| Husband Hotseat: Supporting Your Wife's Business Dreams | 13 Mar 2025 | 00:46:51 | |
We've been referencing our unicorn husbands enough that we thought it was time to bring them on the podcast! Today, Jessica's husband CJ (known to some as Chris) is in the hot seat answering all her questions about how he supports her in business and his role in their family. You'll hear his thoughts on when Jessica first brought up the idea of Moose Valley Ranch, how she's the brains and he's the brawn (his words), the biggest source of friction in their relationship, their best advice for couples going into business together, and so much more. Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode! (And stay tuned for a future episode with Kendall and her husband, Jay!) Connect with CJ:
Connect with Kendall:
Connect with Jessica:
Resources & Links:
Mentioned in this episode: If you're looking for direct feedback and teaching on your specific business needs, assistance navigating a difficult time, or just need a second set of eyes on your business, we both offer 1:1 coaching calls. Click below to learn more. One-on-One Coaching Session with Kendall: https://the-workhorse-podcast.captivate.fm/one-on-one-kendall Strategy Sesh with Jessica: https://the-workhorse-podcast.captivate.fm/one-on-one-with-jess | |||
| Feedback Matters: How to Get It, Use It, and Grow From It | 06 Mar 2025 | 00:47:04 | |
Customer feedback may be the biggest free way to grow bigger, stronger, and faster as a business owner. In this episode, we're covering how we've gathered feedback in our own businesses and giving you tips and ideas to do the same in yours. We're also discussing how to differentiate between valuable feedback and meaningless criticism, the importance of responding thoughtfully, and how to leave your own constructive feedback for small businesses. Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode! Connect with Kendall:
Connect with Jessica:
Some of the links mentioned are affiliate links, which helps to support this podcast at no additional cost to you. Resources & Links:
Mentioned in this episode: If you're looking for direct feedback and teaching on your specific business needs, assistance navigating a difficult time, or just need a second set of eyes on your business, we both offer 1:1 coaching calls. Click below to learn more. One-on-One Coaching Session with Kendall: https://the-workhorse-podcast.captivate.fm/one-on-one-kendall Strategy Sesh with Jessica: https://the-workhorse-podcast.captivate.fm/one-on-one-with-jess | |||
| Hard Conversations About Showing Your Kids Online | 27 Feb 2025 | 00:44:14 | |
In this episode, we're discussing the topic of online safety and privacy when it comes to showing your kids online as business owners. (Disclaimer: If your kiddos are around you, this is probably not the best episode to listen to.) Jessica shares how her background in law enforcement and Internet Crimes Against Children has impacted her approach to sharing her kids online. Kendall's experience as a stepmom has been a bit different, and she talks about what she's had to consider regarding her stepkids. Every family situation is different, so only you can decide where your line is and your comfort level when sharing your kids online. Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode! Connect with Kendall:
Connect with Jessica:
Resources & Links: | |||
| Where's the Tipping Point: Going All In on Your Business | 20 Feb 2025 | 00:42:33 | |
"Success comes when you can do your business full-time." In this episode, we're challenging this false narrative by diving into what it actually looks like to leave your full-time job and go all in on your business. We're sharing both of our experiences of having regular employment (Jessica) and relying solely on the business income (Kendall). There is no one-size-fits-all advice here. If you're currently closing in on that tipping point of going all in on your business, tune in to hear the ups and downs we've had over the years to help you decide what would make the most sense for you, your family, and your business. Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode! Connect with Kendall:
Connect with Jessica:
Resources & Links:
Mentioned in this episode: The Workhorse Collective Our signature group coaching program to help you ditch overwhelm and get the support you need to grow your agricultural & rural business. Click the link below! | |||
| Own Your Online Presence | 13 Feb 2025 | 00:44:49 | |
The biggest mistake you can make when it comes to marketing your business is paying too much attention to social media and not enough to the places on the internet that you have ownership of. Today, we're talking about the importance of owning your online presence, specifically in the form of a website and an email list. Getting your customers off of an area of real estate you don't own (and could lose at any point) and getting them somewhere where you truly own the connection you have with them, enables you to leverage that connection for your business whenever you need it. Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode! Connect with Kendall:
Connect with Jessica:
Some of the links mentioned are affiliate links, which helps to support this podcast at no additional cost to you. Resources & Links:
Mentioned in this episode: Flodesk Click below to get 50% off your first year of Flodesk - the email service provider we both use and love. | |||
| So You Want To Be A Boss | 15 May 2025 | 00:52:54 | |
In today’s solo episode, Kendall is pulling back the curtain on what it really takes to hire and manage a team on the farm. With Jess deep in the final stretch of launching her Geodome project, Kendall jumps on the mic alone to tackle one of the most-requested topics from listeners: how do you know when it’s time to hire—and what do you need in place before you do? From her first hires (spoiler: they were her step-kids) to growing a team of 11 at Central Park Farms, Kendall walks through the lessons, mistakes, systems, and safety requirements that come with building a team in agriculture. She talks about:
Whether you’re about to hire your first part-time helper or you’ve got a team and are trying to get more organized, this episode is packed with the hard-won insights Kendall wishes she had when she started out. Reminder: it’s not just about growing a business—it’s about creating a workplace people actually enjoy.Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode! Connect with Kendall:
Resources & Links: | |||
| More Money, Less Problems with Value-Add Products | 08 May 2025 | 01:01:17 | |
In today's episode, we dive deep with Kendall as she shares the evolution of Central Park Farms from humble beginnings to the thriving diversified business it is today. Starting with "slinging chickens out of the driveway" before expanding to pork, beef, farmer's markets, and eventually bringing on her mom as the first employee, Kendall reveals how each strategic pivot was driven by necessity and opportunity. The conversation highlights one of the farm's most successful diversification strategies - their prepared foods line created in partnership with chef Adrian. Kendall breaks down the impressive numbers behind transforming unsellable chicken backs worth $2 into $14.95 containers of bone broth, capturing an 89% increase in revenue with minimal additional work. This partnership has grown from just a few initial products to a comprehensive line that now includes items that don't even contain their farm products. Looking toward the future, Kendall shares exciting plans for their farm store renovation, which will include building a commercial kitchen on-site that will bring their prepared foods production in-house. The episode offers practical insights for farmers seeking to increase revenue without increasing workload, with Kendall emphasizing how value-added products can dramatically improve margins while reducing waste. Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode! Connect with Kendall:
Connect with Jessica:
Some of the links mentioned are affiliate links, which helps to support this podcast at no additional cost to you. Resources & Links: Mentioned in this episode: In this hour long workshop, learn exactly how we launched our chef-crafted prepared foods line to increase revenue with our ranch-raised meat. Click below to learn more. | |||
| Fear of Failure and Imposter Syndrome | 01 May 2025 | 00:46:22 | |
In today’s episode, Jessica and Kendall peel back the curtain on the raw, emotional side of entrepreneurship—what it really looks like when you’re launching something big. Jessica shares her journey behind the much-anticipated launch of her Geodome rental project and opens up about the paralyzing fear that’s crept in as the finish line approaches. From the realities of sending that one email that changes everything to the emotional weight of being publicly visible, this conversation is a must-listen for any woman balancing big dreams, business pressure, and a small-town audience that might not always understand. We talk about: • The fear that hits right before a big launch • Why it’s hard to “just hit send” on that email—even when everything’s ready • The unseen work behind making a project live • Community dynamics, local judgment, and pricing guilt • How we both use public accountability as a tool for action • The myth that confidence comes before action (hint: it doesn’t) Whether you’re launching a glamping retreat, building a new farm store, or putting your first offer out into the world, this episode is a permission slip to do it scared. Done beats perfect. Always. Connect with Kendall:
Connect with Jessica:
Some of the links mentioned are affiliate links, which helps to support this podcast at no additional cost to you. Resources & Links:
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| Straight Talk: Time Off, Mom Guilt, and Dealing with Copycats | 24 Apr 2025 | 00:52:31 | |
In today's episode, Jessica and Kendall are back with another round of "Straight Talk" - answering your anonymous questions about rural business life. From the challenges of taking actual days off to phone addiction struggles with kids, competition anxiety, and imposter syndrome - they tackle these real issues with honesty and practical advice. The hosts dive deep into what "balance" really means when you're building a business, sharing their different approaches to unplugging (or not). They also address the guilt many business owners feel about phone usage around their children, offering strategies they've personally implemented to manage this common struggle. When it comes to local competition and copycats, Jessica and Kendall provide perspective on distinguishing between true copying and similar business models, along with tips for focusing on what makes your business uniquely yours. They wrap up with candid advice about raising prices - acknowledging it's a difficult but necessary step for sustainable business, sharing their different approaches to communicating price increases. Whether you're struggling with work-life boundaries, comparing yourself to others on social media, or needing to adjust your pricing strategy, this episode delivers the straight talk you need to hear. Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode! Connect with Kendall:
Connect with Jessica:
Some of the links mentioned are affiliate links, which helps to support this podcast at no additional cost to you. Resources & Links: Mentioned in this episode: The Workhorse Collective Our signature group coaching program to help you ditch overwhelm and get the support you need to grow your agricultural & rural business. Click the link below! | |||
| 5 Things to Consider for Your Business Presence | 17 Apr 2025 | 00:49:09 | |
In today's episode, we're circling back into business with a teaching session on the five things you need to consider when it comes to your business presence. From branded photos to logos and payment processing, we're sharing why these five things are important and some tips we've learned along the way. And, disclaimer: this is in no way judgy. We might have strong opinions on some things, but you have to start with where you are. And if that's being brand new to business, you might not have any of these things. We hope that by the end of this episode, you can focus on just one to help get you and your business to where you want to go. Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode! Connect with Kendall:
Connect with Jessica:
Resources & Links:
Mentioned in this episode: The Workhorse Collective Our signature group coaching program to help you ditch overwhelm and get the support you need to grow your agricultural & rural business. Click the link below! | |||
| Safety and Security: Perspectives to Consider | 10 Apr 2025 | 00:56:32 | |
"We are not owed real-time updates on somebody else's life." In today's episode, we're picking up the thread from episode 8 (about showing your kids online) and continuing the conversation about safety and security with some perspectives to consider when you have a local business or property with an online presence, specifically on social media. We're sharing our personal experiences with property crimes, how we show up on social media to not give too much away about our real-time locations, and ways you can protect your own properties. Between Jessica's background in law enforcement and Kendall's wake-up call and going dark on social media after getting a protection order, we hope we can give you some things to think about. If anything similar has happened to you, know that you are not alone. Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode! Connect with Kendall:
Connect with Jessica:
Resources & Links:
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| Straight Talk: Your Questions Answered | 03 Apr 2025 | 00:46:38 | |
Now that we've given you guys time to catch up on the podcast and learn who we are, it's time to answer your anonymous questions. In today's episode, we're going off the cuff with straight talk, non-rehearsed answers. Hear us chat about how we work together despite having different views (AKA how to find the Jessica to your Kendall), the strategies Kendall implemented before quitting farmers markets, how to show up confidently on social media, and more! We had so much fun answering your questions, but we couldn't get to them all. So stay tuned for future Q&A episodes! And don't forget to leave your own anonymous question below. Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode! Connect with Kendall:
Connect with Jessica:
Resources & Links: Mentioned in this episode: The Workhorse Collective Our signature group coaching program to help you ditch overwhelm and get the support you need to grow your agricultural & rural business. Click the link below! | |||
| Husband Hotseat: Getting Comfortable on Social Media | 27 Mar 2025 | 00:47:47 | |
You've heard from Jess and her husband CJ on episode 10, and now it's time for Kendall to bring on her husband Jay to talk all about running a business together and getting comfortable on social media. Hear them chat about Jay's background as a fifth-generation farmer, how Kendall became a first-generation farmer, how Central Park Farms came to be, and how Jay came to see the value of social media. Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode! Connect with Jay:
Connect with Kendall:
Connect with Jessica:
Resources & Links:
Mentioned in this episode: The Workhorse Collective Our signature group coaching program to help you ditch overwhelm and get the support you need to grow your agricultural & rural business. Click the link below! | |||