The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow

Ever had someone lecture you that if you only had a perfect diet, nothing bad would ever happen to you?  I really hope that someone wasn’t me….I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 3, Episode 14 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow.  Read the transcript over here on the blog .  Support the show

Want your small farm or family business to run more smoothly?  Want your customers to be happier?  Your staff to be more content?  Want to feel better about your work while you’re doing it, and at the end of the day?  All you need are these two magic words that I’m going to teach you today.  I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 3, Episode 13 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow. Read the...

When was the last time you enjoyed conversation with a stranger…In real life — not through a comment thread?  I’m Shannon Hayes and you’re listening to Season 3, Episode 12 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow, about the art of conversation. Find the written transcript over on the blog .  Support the show

Spring has been rough here at Sap Bush Hollow.  I’ve been feeling very sorry for myself.  It helps to remember that there’s nothing special about my woes.  You’re listening to Episode 11 of Season 3 of The Hearth of Sap Hollow, all about this season’s Mid-life Crisis.  You can find the full transcript over here on the blog .  Support the show

As you’ll recall, our community lost a great neighbor about six weeks back when Tom Edmunds died.  We finally gave him his send-off with a memorial pot luck this past weekend.  And it got me thinking a lot about what makes a person truly successful in life.   Your listening to Episode 10 of Season 3 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow.  Read the transcript here .  Support the show

Can you order eggs with a side of nuptials?  You can at Sap Bush Cafe.  You’re listening to Episode 9 of Season 3 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow. Read the transcript here .  Support the show

Lately when I tell fellow business owners we’re no longer on social media, I’m met with sighs of envy and wistful comments like “I wish we could do that.”  Maybe more of us would be better off if we did.  I found I had more to say after my first piece about Slow Marketing two weeks ago.  So today you’re hearing Part II.  You’re listening to Episode 8 of Season 3 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow.  ...

Is fear of failure holding you back?  Getting over it is one of the most important home-schooling lessons I’ve had to teach my daughter.  Right now, we're learning about it with her debut as a director in community theater.  You’re listening to Episode 7 of Season 3 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow.  Read the transcript and find out more details about this weekend's theater production ov...

Have you ever spent an hour scrolling on social media, put your phone down and said “Wow!  That was just what I needed!”?  Me neither.  But can small businesses exist without social media?  That’s what I’ll be exploring today on Episode 6 of Season 3 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow.   Looking for the print version?  Find it over on the blog.  Support the show

Dang!  It’s been a record number of lousy weeks for our family.  Here’s what’s getting us through.  You’re listening to Episode 5 of Season 3 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow, Tiny Miracles. If you'd like the text version of this story, find it over on the blog .  Support the show

What makes a community?  Is it the good times we have together?  Or how well we move through the tough times? You’re listening to episode 4 of Season 3 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow, a story about everybody's favorite neighbor.  If you prefer to read the manuscript, find it here .   Please note: The podcast mentions the potluck will be held on May 19.  That was an error!  It will be held M...

Why is it that those with nothing left have the most to give? If you'd like the transcript, find it over on the blog at sapbush.com / Support the show

What would you do if your business were targeted in a  drive-by shooting?  I'm finding out.  There is a little explicit language in this one.  If you prefer to read this episode, you can find it over on the blog at sapbush.com .  Support the show

Welcome back to Season 3 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow! Wanna thrive as a farmer?  Learn the art of starting over.....again, and again, and again.   Support the show

Nothing is harder, and nothing is more rewarding, than being in business with family.  I know this for a fact, because I’ve been doing it for 47 years.  And in that time, I’ve learned a thing or two about making things work between the generations.  That's what I'll be talking about on this, the final episode of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow for the 2021 season.  Did you enjoy it this ye...

Did you ever wonder how homeschooled kids get sex ed?  I guess, in school, it’s a specific class you take, probably a unit in health class.  In our family, it’s just been an ongoing thing.  Especially today, in light of some things that have transpired in my kids’ lives.  Today’s post is an open letter to them.  I’m sharing it publicly, because sex abuse is everywhere, and I’m just hoping it might...

I read a story recently that 55% of the American workforce is in the process of changing jobs.  There’s lots of discussion about more flexibility and higher pay…especially in the service industry.  But what are we asking anything of the customers themselves?  I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow. Support the show

Wow.  Folks get riled up when they talk about food prices when buying direct from farmers.  And yet, for all the understanding the local food movement seems to have about fair wages for farmers, based on your comments these past weeks, it seems like we all have some war stories to tell   In this three part series on pricing we spent the first part looking at how the complaining customer is just pa...

Last week you heard about a nasty anonymous letter sent to my fellow farmer, Tricia Park of Creekside Meadows farm, berating her about her prices.  All of us small, independent farmers and business owners…if we’ve been in the game for a while, have a few of these war stories to tell.  This week I’m going to share one of my favorites, about Agnes and The Cloak of Shame.  This is part two of my thre...

What happens if your customers or clients don’t think you deserve the prices you ask?  How do you hold your head up?  How do you stay in business?  This is a big subject, so I’m doing a three-part series on Pricing and Spiritual Well-being.  Welcome to week one.  I’m Shannon Hayes and you’re listening to The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow.  If you'd like to read the full transcript, you can find i...

What are we looking for when we go away, and how far do we have to go to find it? I’m Shannon Hayes and you’re listening to The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow.   You can find the full transcript of this story over on the blog at Sapbush.com .  Support the show

Raging fires, devastating floods, fierce heat.  July was tough in terms of climate change.  While our situation has not been anywhere near as dire as in other parts of the country & world, we’ve definitely taken a few knocks here at Sap Bush Hollow.  But the beauty of the hard knocks is how they clear your sight for the moments of redemption. Read the transcript here .  Support the show

Wanna get rich RIGHT NOW?  Check out this episode, then hurry up and order your copy of Redefining Rich, due out from BenBella books on Aug 10! Read the transcript here .  Support the show

There are times when being in business means taking one hit after another.  These past few weeks have been that way.  And sometimes that means the bank accounts run dry, the customers are dissatisfied, the flood waters rise, and stuff just keeps breaking.  That’s when I turn to the ghosts.  And poetry.  I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Episode 17 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow:  Better...

BEWARE THE PRICE OF PERFECTIONISM….HEED THIS CAUTIONARY TALE! I’m Shannon Hayes and you’re listening to episode 16 of season 2 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow.  Listen to the full transcript here. Ps: You'll note that I used the word turgidity in the recording when I should have used the word turbidity.  But in spirit of the lessons taught here, I've chosen to let it go and not edit it...