We recently connected with Heidi Roberts and have shared our conversation below.
Heidi, thank you so much for making time for us. We’ve always admired your ability to take risks and so maybe we can kick things off with a discussion around how you developed your ability to take and bear risk?
I’ve always been a dreamer and not afraid of taking chances, knowing God will take care of me. Moved to Texas January 1, 2010 on one hundred percent faith, not having a job and a place to stay for only a month. Found a job (not the one I wanted, but it was a job). Within a month I moved out to an apartment, realizing that nothing is permanent and when you want something you need to work hard and sometimes that means working two jobs or more. In 2012 I purchased my very first home, a three-bedroom two bath brick home. Granted it needed work but the land was beautiful and fencing was good. In the beginning just wanted a horse and a companion for the horse and wasn’t even thinking of having my own business. Met my husband, he remodeled the entire house and made it beautiful. I love gardening, chickens, but at that time did not think of goats. One day I said why not have goats and use their milk to make lotion. At first our business consisted of only lotion and handcrafted leather cuffs. Going to a local Farmers Market was the start. Not making money, my husband told me to rethink of continuing the business. However, I am not a quitter in any way shape or form so I kept moving forward. Since then, we have expanded tremendously, my husband started his own beard line and I started making goat milk soaps and non-goat-milk soaps, lip balms, liquid goat milk soap, liquid shampoo and conditioner and more. Now we do our business full time and this is how we pay our bills. Definitely scary at times but I know God will give us what we need and have learned to be a minimalist. Hard work and dedication pay off. I also love meeting other people who make similar products to us and have a deep respect for them, knowing all the hard work and dedication that goes into making skincare and leather products.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am definitely a country girl originally from northern Wisconsin. Having fun was being outdoors, however in Texas outdoors is best in the winter lol. Gardening is a passion of mine and now I grow food for our critters too. We have backyard chickens (Silkie Crosses) that lay wonderful tasting eggs. Love riding my horse JW a beautiful paint gelding whose personality will win your heart every time you see him. My husband’s horse Diamond is a quarter horse Palomino in color and is very much a lady and a little shy. We have three dogs, a great pyrenes named Marilyn, a Pom-shi named Annabelle and mini–Australian Shepherd named Callie. Of course, we have one cat named Gunsmoke he is a great mouser. Currently we are milking 6 goats a day! We have twelve grandchildren and one great grandchild. We love our family very much and grateful for everything God has blessed us with.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The most important quality is NEVER give up no matter what keep moving forward. I remember when I first started making products and they failed it would have been easy to give up, however do your research ask seasoned people who know what they are doing and keep trying eventually you will succeed.
Remember why you wanted to start your journey in the first place and take time to reflect on your progress even if it’s just one thing, build from there. Mental toughness and a positive attitude is very important and shows in your work.
Be unique, don’t do what everyone else is doing, this will help you stand out from others.
Don’t be afraid to try new things and save money, starting a new business is expensive and having a good savings is very important.
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
Being able to quit my day job and focus on the business full time. This opened the doors to research and make new products, travel to different shows which allowed us to meet more customers, design creative marketing for social media, and it has really paid off. Currently I make over 27 different products by hand and would not have been able to do so if I worked another job. Our business doubles every year!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hrgoatfarm.com
- Facebook: H&Rs All About Goats Farm
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
