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Rat Race Rebellion by Christine Durst & Michael Haaren The Oldest Home-Based Business – The Small Farm In the worst – and least-acknowledged – recession since the Depression, it makes sense that micro-farming would be a growing trend. And when our drinking water and food are laced with everything from pee-peed prescription drugs to a veritable Thanksgiving feast of carcinogens and other delights, it’s no wonder that “organic” is the byword. KISS A GOAT AND BE HAPPY Many people have kissed a goat, often in the form of an older husband or other acquaintance. Some, including your humble columnists, who were raised in farming communities, have even kissed the four-legged variety, and are proud to declaim it. That’s one reason we like the story of Andrea Davis and her goats at Broken Shovels Farm and Creamery. Andrea needed $3,500 to move her goats and small-farm operation to Denver, Colo., where she would partner with Jill Sobel of Fetchin Farms. Andrea, who served an apprenticeship to a cheesemaker and produces tantalizing cheeses and yogurts with the help of her goats, went to the public to request the funds. Now that the Internet is with us, “crowdfunding” – asking the public to fund your project – makes eminent sense. New sites like Kickstarter.com make it possible. And that’s where Andrea made her pitch. Andrea explained why she needed the money, and gave evocative and compelling details of her move-to-Colorado project. She even made us hungry (not hard to do, since we love cheese) in her description of her products: “I specialize in bloomy rind (brie-type) cheeses, fresh chevre, but my real talent and optimism for my work is in my greek style strained yogurt and pastry (think apple-rosemary-camembert tarts and blueberry-feta pastry).” We’re happy to say that not only did the public fund Andrea’s project, she’s on track to receive over $4,000 – well above the $3,500 she requested. You can see Andrea kissing one of her beautiful goats and telling her story in her video at http://kck.st/oMrO5r. PITCHING YOUR PROJECT TO THE PUBLIC Do you have a creative or innovative project you’d like to pitch to the public on a site like Kickstarter? Andrea’s story offers several handy takeaways: 1. Bring your story to life. This isn’t about asking for money, it’s about telling a story – a story that people can quickly grasp and care about. On her pitch page, Andrea gives vivid context for her project and her request. She conveys her personality, her passion, her challenges and plans. 2. Convey self-reliance and confidence. Andrea talks about her accomplishments and sacrifices in a tone that conveys resilience and commitment. We absorb a variety of positive impressions of her as an entrepreneur while she entertains us with her story. 3. Make the request fit the project. Andrea says she wants to move her small operation to Denver, where she will also have “general start up costs of fencing, pasture management and shelters.” She mentions other needs such as milking machines and a pasteurizer. In the end, we feel that $3,500 is too modest. This not only creates another positive impression, it leaves us disposed to fund expansion, if necessary, at a later date. ---- Christine Durst and Michael Haaren are leaders in the work-at-home movement and advocates of de-rat-raced living. Their latest book is "Work at Home Now," a guide to finding home-based jobs. They offer additional guidance on finding home-based work at www.RatRaceRebellion.com. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2011 BY STAFFCENTRIX, DISTRIBUTED BY CREATORS.COM |
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