The Workhorse Podcast

In today’s episode, Kendall and Jess wrap up the Market in the Mountains catch-up series with a jaw-dropping update that Jess has been keeping under wraps for MONTHS. (Seriously, Kendall has been dying to spill the beans.) What starts as a failed attempt to buy an old gas station turns into an unexpected whirlwind of small-town gossip, real estate rollercoasters, and—yep—a surprise commercial prop...

Whew. Buckle up, friend, this episode is a RIDE. In today’s episode, we pick up with part two of the Market in the Mountains deep dive, and it’s way more than a recap. Jess gets real about what was happening behind the scenes leading up to—and during—this year’s market, and it’s not all cute banners and happy vendors. From family tensions to land control to a ripped-down banner (yep, during the ev...

We knew this one was going to be big, but we had no idea how big until Jess started talking. In today’s episode, we are diving deep into what it takes to run a record-breaking rural event: Market in the Mountains. From broken tents and last-minute rentals to carving a 9-foot foam cow skull (yes, you read that right), Jess takes us behind the scenes of building a literal pop-up city in the middle o...

We’re BACK with Season 2, Episode 2—and oh boy, there’s a lot to catch up on. If you’ve been curious about what it actually looks like to grow a retail store alongside a busy farm business, this is the episode to hit play on. In today’s episode, Kendall gives us the full download on what’s changed since Central Park Farms opened their brand new farm store back in October. And spoiler alert: it’s b...

We didn’t mean to ghost you, but here’s what happened. In today’s episode, we finally come back after a wild ride that started with “we just need a walk-in freezer” and ended with an atmospheric-rain, brass-fitting-busted, rogue-kitchen-reno adventure that only Kendall could tell. We catch up on why the break from the podcast was longer than planned (spoiler: it involves government red tape, overw...

In today's episode, Kendall and Jess are spilling the tea on all the business "nevers" they've completely 180'd on. From Jessica's adamant stance against TikTok (spoiler: she's now on there with 3,700 followers) to admitting some serious judgment calls that came back to bite them, they're sharing the business moves they swore they'd never make—that turned out to be game-changers. Get ready for som...

In 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...

In 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: marke...

Six 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 no...

From a 4-Hour Field Pop-Up to a $2M Economic Powerhouse: Jess’s Business Journey Ever 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 wi...

In 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...

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 ru...

This 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...

Join 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 consisten...

In 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...

In 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 (reme...

In 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: t...

In 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...

In 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...

In 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...

In 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...

"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...

Now 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 marke...

You'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 medi...

There 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 epis...