We recently had the chance to connect with Max Morningstar and have shared our conversation below.
Max, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
My day starts at one of two times: 4:30am or 5:30am.
On the early days I am up, brushing teeth by 4:32 (I’m not a snoozer) then let the dog out, unless she has come to me beforehand and threatened to wake up the house with a bark, in which case she goes out before anything else happens. After bathroom time, its drink 2 glasses of water, drink 1 Americano, let the dog back in, then off to the gym to weight train for 45 -60 minutes before prepping for work.
On later days, a similar scene unfolds, but shortly afterwards, around 6-6:15 I go to check on my wife, who is a “snoozer”. Then I’ll spend those 30 or so minutes before leaving the house with her while we both prepare for the day. By 7, I’m at the rear fields of my farm with both of the dogs. Oh, yeah we have two. The other one likes to sleep in so I didn’t mention him before. After the quick drive from the house, I’ll pull over on a farm road, open the doors and let the hounds run.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Max Morningstar and I’m a co-owner of MX Morningstar, a farm and retail store in Claverack, NY. I run the business with my wife, my brother, sister, sister-in-law and brother-in-law. We grow certified organic vegetables and run a really nice little store. We’re defined by our quality and our insistence that everything we carry be really good. It sets us apart, and allows us to fill a real need in the community for excellent food.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
Lots of people taught me about work, from my mother always talking about the importance of good work ethic, to a terrible boss who didn’t respect his people, but it was Anthony Bourdain romanticizing (unintentionally) the grueling restaurant shifts that really spoke to me. That kind of extreme commitment to a result that required your sacrifice, but the goal would not yield pleasure, only satisfaction. Healthy or unhealthy, I don’t know, but I am in the place I am today because of my relationship to hard work.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
I think that, in a way, you can’t learn from success. All of my lessons came from failure, from how to be a better partner, a better boss, a better farmer and maybe the most profound lesson: how sweet success truly is. You never learn how to appreciate absolutely NAILING something unless you’ve suffered at the hands of the same task.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
Our biggest commitment is making sure that we grow the business in a way that benefits the people who work here. I believe that a business can be large, profitable, humane and equitable. People to both the right and the left of me tell me that isn’t true, and I really want to prove them all wrong.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
I mean, honestly I would probably sell this business and try to live my life more fully. This work demands most of my time and energy, and I do enjoy it, but it takes me away from the rest of life. Gardening, working on my house, traveling, hiking, all the obvious things.. But the woods were a very important part of my life for a long time, and I miss them often. I think I would try to reconnect with the woods, and really feel my place there.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mxmorningstarfarm.com
- Instagram: @maxamstar
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