Shows
The Workhorse PodcastBeing Present in Hard TimesIn today's episode, Kendall and Jess tackle one of the heaviest questions they've received: how do you show up on social media when the world feels like it's on fire?With wildfires, natural disasters, tragic events, and constant crisis news flooding everyone's feeds, they're diving into the real struggle of how to navigate being a business owner when everything around you feels overwhelming.From Jessica's personal experience going completely dark after a local tragedy involving first responders to the challenge of knowing when to pause, when to post, and when to stay...2025-07-2454 minThe Workhorse Podcast28. Straight Talk: Value Add, Email Marketing and Mother In Law DramaIn today's episode, we're digging into your questions and serving up some good old-fashioned straight talk, with a side of strategy and a whole lot of honesty. We love these Q&A episodes because they let us get right to the heart of what you're dealing with in your rural businesses. No fluff, no filters. Just real conversations, straight from the inbox.We kick things off with a big one: marketing beef nationwide when you have limited time, four kids under 12, and a whole lot on your plate. From why going hyper-local can actually make your life...2025-07-1757 minThe Workhorse Podcast27. The Mid Year Business Audit You NeedSix Small Fixes That Make a Big Business Impact (Yes, Right Now)In today’s episode, we’re hitting pause on the big ideas and zooming in on six very doable things you can take action on this week to clean up your business presence and boost your customer experience—especially if you’re selling through social media. Jessica and Kendall are in full-on checklist mode (don’t worry, it’s in the show notes) and delivering that honest, slightly salty, always encouraging energy we all need mid-year.What we dive into:The power of being fin...2025-07-1042 minThe Workhorse Podcast26. Numbers Are In: Moose Valley Ranch Part 2From a 4-Hour Field Pop-Up to a $2M Economic Powerhouse: Jess’s Business JourneyEver wonder how a failed pumpkin patch and some wedding gigs turned into one of the most impactful rural events in the region? In today’s episode, we (finally!) stick to the script and dive into Jess’s business story—how Gather was born, how Market in the Mountains exploded, and how this whole thing somehow started with a cold chicken lunch and a DM.We talk about what it really means to build community from scratch when you live way out of t...2025-07-0447 minThe Workhorse Podcast25. Telling Your Story Even When It Isn't PrettyIn today’s episode, we flip the script a bit, Kendall takes the mic as interviewer and Jess shares the raw, behind-the-scenes story of Moose Valley Ranch. From law enforcement in Montana to hosting thousands of shoppers in a hayfield-turned-market, this one’s a ride.And spoiler: it’s not all Instagram-perfect market days. We dive into the reality of what it’s like to run a business on family land when not everyone in the family is on board.What we get into:Jess’s unexpected journey from highway patrol to founder of Moose Vall...2025-06-2649 minThe Workhorse Podcast24. Boxes to Barn Doors: Is Local In?In today’s episode, Kendall and Jessica are peeling back the layers on a trend we’re seeing everywhere—and feeling in our own businesses too: local is back, baby. From conversations in the DMs to storefronts popping up in tiny towns, it seems like more and more rural women are asking the same thing: do I even want to ship anymore?We dive deep into the nitty-gritty of what it actually costs to run a delivery model—from shipping meat across provinces to packing gelato for cross-country trips. Kendall shares the real math behind their farm’s margins...2025-06-1945 minThe Workhorse Podcast23. Catching Up With Our KidsThis week on The Workhorse Podcast, we’re handing the mic to the next generation—literally! Jessica and Kendall are joined by Jagger, Kendall’s (almost) 18-year-old stepson, for a heartfelt and hilarious look at what it’s really like growing up on a working farm.From his earliest memories helping build the Central Park Farms sign, to his first job cleaning farrowing pens, Jagger shares what he’s learned, what he loves, and what he’d do differently if he were in charge tomorrow. We talk nap schedules, excavator dreams, tractor crashes, and launching his own business.2025-06-1256 minThe Workhorse Podcast22. Straight Talk: Rapid FireJoin Jessica Garza and Kendall Ballantine for another candid episode of Straight Talk, where they tackle your anonymous questions with unfiltered honesty. In this 45-minute deep dive, they cover everything from social media consistency and decision fatigue to controversial business opinions and the realities of running multiple companies.What You'll Get:Real strategies for social media consistency during burnoutPractical tips for managing decision fatigue as an entrepreneurBehind-the-scenes look at their actual daily schedulesAI applications for rural business ownersTheir controversial business 'hill to die on' Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so...2025-06-0545 minThe Workhorse Podcast21. Big Shifts in BusinessIn 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...2025-05-2934 minThe Workhorse PodcastStumped By The AlgorithmIn 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 ho...2025-05-2244 minThe Workhorse Podcast19. So You Want To Be A BossIn 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, mistak...2025-05-1552 minThe Workhorse Podcast18. More Money, Less Problems with Value-Add ProductsIn 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...2025-05-081h 01The Workhorse Podcast17. Fear of Failure and Imposter SyndromeIn 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 u...2025-05-0146 minThe Workhorse Podcast16. Straight Talk: Time Off, Mom Guilt, and Dealing with CopycatsIn 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...2025-04-2452 minThe Workhorse Podcast15. 5 Things to Consider for Your Business PresenceIn 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...2025-04-1749 minThe Workhorse Podcast14. Safety and Security: Perspectives to Consider"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...2025-04-1056 minThe Workhorse Podcast13. Straight Talk: Your Questions AnsweredNow 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...2025-04-0346 minThe Workhorse Podcast12. Husband Hotseat: Getting Comfortable on Social MediaYou'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 Jay on Instagram @centralparkfarms (because if he...2025-03-2747 minThe Workhorse Podcast11. Our Take on Hustle CultureThere 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...2025-03-2049 minThe Workhorse Podcast10. Husband Hotseat: Supporting Your Wife's Business DreamsWe'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.2025-03-1346 minThe Workhorse Podcast9. Feedback Matters: How to Get It, Use It, and Grow From ItCustomer 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:Follow on Instagram @marketingforfarmers and @centralparkfarmsCheck o...2025-03-0647 minThe Workhorse Podcast8. Hard Conversations About Showing Your Kids OnlineIn 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...2025-02-2744 minThe Workhorse Podcast7. Where's the Tipping Point: Going All In on Your Business"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...2025-02-2042 minThe Workhorse Podcast6. Own Your Online PresenceThe 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 y...2025-02-1344 minThe Workhorse Podcast5. Integrity in Action: The True Cost of OvercommittingIn 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 h...2025-02-0650 minThe Workhorse Podcast4. The Stepmom, The Sibling, and The Succession PlanIn 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! ...2025-01-3044 minThe Workhorse Podcast3. Lessons in FailingNo 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, b...2025-01-2348 minThe Workhorse Podcast2. Five Ways to Set Yourself Apart at MarketsIn 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 g...2025-01-2347 minThe Workhorse Podcast1. Balance In Rural Business: How We Do It AllOn 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...2025-01-2344 minThe Workhorse PodcastWelcome to The Workhorse Podcast!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 sc...2025-01-1204 min