I recently had the joy of welcoming my friend and business peer, Brandon Lee, to spend a morning with me on my small-scale organic farm. What happened that day reminded me why I believe so deeply in integrating business with life.
Brandon didn’t come out to talk strategy or sales. He came out to experience a slice of my world—to turn compost, get bit by ants (sorry again, Brandon), and talk about the things that really matter. That compost pile is now cooking at 160°F, by the way. 🔥
What struck me most wasn’t just that he showed up—it’s that he cared. He stepped into my world not because it’s his passion, but because he wanted to know mine.
As a part of Brandon experiencing my passion, I learned more about his passion for creating herbal tinctures for natural healing. That moment sparked an unexpected collaboration: I can grow the dandelion root, elderberry, and lemon balm, and Brandon can work his alchemy to create healing tinctures to share with friends and family (I’ve got a feeling I’ll be on that list 😉).
In a world that often rewards hustle over heart, I’m learning to value the relationships that go deeper than a contract. The ones that grow organically—pun intended—when we let people see who we really are.
Let’s talk about it. What’s one way you’ve built a deeper business relationship through a personal passion? Whether it’s baking cookies, restoring cars, or growing tomatoes and lettuce—hit reply or comment and share your story.
Because life is too short for shallow connections.
This post first appeared on April 25, 2025 in Sowing Success, my weekly LinkedIn newsletter on leadership and organic farming. Read the original on LinkedIn.
