Ep #250 Blooming a Beautiful Business: Embracing Her Intuition & Authentic Self with Courtney Thompsom

It takes a lot of courage to create a business that is in alignment with your authentic self; it's so easy to get distracted by the "shoulds" and what everyone else is doing. Courtney Thompson, founder of Blooming Kitchen Co, is doing just this (after a few detours) and her business is starting to bloom. You will laugh, you will cry (at least I did) and you will feel empowered to say YES to an aligned business and NO to everything that isn't that.

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Transcript

Sari  0:00  
Welcome to your Food Business Success. This podcast is for early stage entrepreneurs in the packaged food industry ready to finally turn that delicious idea into reality. I'm your host, Sari Kimbell. I have guided hundreds of food brand founders to success as an industry expert and business coach, and it's got to be fun. In this podcast, I share with you mindset tools to become a true entrepreneur and run your business like a boss, interviews with industry experts to help you understand the business you are actually in, and food found our journey so you can learn what worked and didn't work and not feel so alone in your own journey. Now let's jump in! Welcome back to the podcast everyone and so, so, so excited for this episode. This is coming on. This is my second to last podcast episode, and I was at an event where Courtney was co hosting, and I just I was watching her in all of her magnificence, in her zone of genius. And I was like, we have to do a podcast before I leave for France. So I want to welcome a very special, very heartfelt welcome to Courtney Thompson with Blooming Kitchen Co, welcome Courtney! 

Courtney  1:25  
Thank you so much, Sari, thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I'm so happy to be here. It's very fun and just so so grateful. So thank you.

Sari  1:36  
One of the reasons why I really wanted to have you on is because the last podcast I did was all about creating a more, you know, tapping into your intuition and getting out of your head and, like, really creating that beautiful, delicious business. And like I said, when I saw you, when you were talking to the group, and you were just in your zone of genius and everything. I was like, we got to have this conversation, because I love that. I feel like you are finally hitting your stride, and you are trusting yourself and believing in yourself and going into that zone of genius. So it's a beautiful, beautiful thing to watch. But let's go back. We were actually before we started recording, I kind of was explaining it. It's almost like you've had these acts, these three acts of your business so far, with many more to come. But why don't you take us back to Courtney? I don't know what, maybe five years ago, like you and that idea, you cultivating your idea. So act one being the pre business pre, like, really getting serious about it.

Courtney  2:52  
Ooh, there's so many ways we could go with this one. But I'm like, picturing myself in that moment where I was like, okay, this is happening, this it was like a gentle whisper of like, I really want to do something different. And I was sitting well, a lot had, like, a lot had happened, like, in my personal life before this moment that I speak about. But I was like, burnout. I had, like, gone through lots of relationship things. Was like, really transforming into a new, like, chapter in my life. And it felt very heavy, very scary. And at the same time, I was in the like, you know, top of my career, I'm managing a team of other food on, like, food service personnel throughout the mountains in Colorado, and loving it. But there was, like, this undercurrent of like, burnout and misalignment, and I didn't know I was like, why don't I feel like, totally fulfilled, right? Like I had all these skills and these ideas, but I was like, constantly feeling like it just wasn't fully me. And I remember sitting on my patio in Glenwood Springs, is where I was living at the time. I was sitting on my patio. It's great spot right on the river. Very lovely spot. And I just was journaling this. This was like a time of my life where I really started to do some inner work. Lot had gone into my personal life that really 180 like my whole life. So I was doing a lot of inner reflection, inner work. This is during COVID. We had, like, so much time, I feel like to a lot of us to do this, and I feel like a lot of us went through that like, rabbit hole of like, oh my gosh, all this stuff that I now, like, I'm aware about myself, but what do I do with all of this information? And that was really, I think I was journaling and my mind just kept going back to what really made me feel present and I think just feeling that like out of balance, I was like, what makes me feel balanced? Like, what makes me feel the best version of myself? And that's when I'm slow and steady, and I've got nature, I'm surrounded by, and I'm eating good food, and I'm taking care of myself. And I was in a point my life where, like, I wasn't, I really wasn't leaning into that, and I was aware of it, but, like, what am I going to do about it, right? And for me, edible flowers was something that I was always intrigued by, and I quickly realized that edible flowers for me was like that catalyst of bring me into the present moment. So yes, I knew that I want to do something. I think that same day, I sat on that patio for like five hours on my laptop, just typing out, like this whole business idea of, like, edible flowers. And I wanted to produce my background being like, product development, food science, dietetics, and working in the food industry my whole career. But I was like, I want to produce my own products, and it's going to be nasturtium pesto, and it's going to be great. I'm going to do this whole line of product. And so that's what it was born out. That was kind of like the moment when everything just started clicking, right? It was like, all of a sudden I got really in tune with, what does Courtney want, not just because, you know, all the things that I have done, and I don't know, how do I want to say that? Like, what is Courtney really, really want? What makes me feel like me, right? And what is aligning with me? What is it success can look one way, but what does it feel like inside?Is it feel kind of like icky, because that's kind of how I was feeling. 

Sari  7:05  
Like, very successful, too. So it's like, when you actually have those success, you're like, wait, this isn't it?

Courtney  7:14  
Wait, this. Like, this is success. But like, I don't, I can't keep this up. You know? It was like, lots of like, and when I say it like masculine in this like setting. It's like masculine meaning, like, perform your go, go, go. It's like, never rest for the wicked. It's like, what have you done for me today? It's, you know, yeah, I'm in performance mode constantly. I'm in production mode constantly. And I was like, there's got to be more to life. You know, I feel like I'm missing out on so much and missing out on my myself, right? Like I was like, over drinking, you know, like, just it, like it was just not taking care of myself at all. And, you know, I had to pivot. Something. Had to change. And I knew that I needed balance, and I needed to figure out, Okay, what's the opposite of that masculine energy? It's slow, it's flowy. It's like, I'm, you know, it literally, it's nourishing. And at the time, I was living right on the river, so, like, it's so easy to, like, you know, okay, if you're like, if you're in a river, right, and you're fighting the current, like you're going to go down the river either way. If you fight that current, you're giving up so much energy just by fighting the current versus just surrendering and trusting and letting yourself go and flowing down that same river, you're going to get to the same spot. But you can do it in such a peaceful way, and I was fighting the current that time of my life, and I was scared to go into all the dark, scary places, like our shadows, to do a lot of that work. And then once I got there, I realized, oh, it's not that scary, and I'm going to trust myself. I'm going to start making moves to do something that feels better to me. Yeah, put myself first, take care of myself. Because there's it could either be selfish or selfless, and in this time it was like really understanding what that meant, and slowing down and recontrolling and grabbing the reins of my own life felt a lot better.

Sari  9:18  
So yeah, sometimes we need to be selfish to, like, save our you know, it's that put your mask on first. Like, we got to save you first before you can help anybody else.

Courtney  9:29  
I think you had even said that I won one of our calls, Sarah. I think then i It's funny, right before I sat down, I remember you, I was like, I have to bring that up, because you said something, and I still hold on to this day. And you're like, we have to put the life vest on you before we have to worry about anything else like and I remember that was when I was like, peak burnout and and I wasn't even actually the first time you and I talked that I was in that burnout, right? And this was before I left corporate America all these things. So just for you. Those of you listening, you know, Sarah gave me all this great advice, you know, I fought it like, you know, fighting the current in the river, and didn't put my life jacket on. And then I finally, like, hit that moment where I was like, oh, I need a life jacket, big time. And, yeah, I need to do something different and start taking care of myself. What does that mean, though, right? Like setting boundaries was one of the biggest ones for me of others, but for myself too. 

Sari  10:31  
Yeah, and I think giving yourself permission to play in well, if I were to create a business, what would that be? And you and I got introduced through a mutual friend. You also work for Whole Foods Market for a time. And Rob Allen, who was also at Whole Foods, introduced us, and he said, you know, I think Sari might be able to help you, because you had lots of ideas. You were exploring your plane in it. I don't want to put words in your mouth, but my, what I think was going on is that you were like in the fun play, but, but, you know, the doing of it. It was pretty scary.

Courtney  11:16  
It really was. I had this beautiful idea in my head. But how do I take all of this and put it on paper? Like, I need the roadmap? And it's funny, because I was consulting, you know, whether it be restaurant groups or like other startup, like producers, but like, then I go to do it, and I'm like, it's like, I, you know, you glitch, and you're like, now that I'm in that seat, am I going to take my own advice? And I really needed, I really needed, yeah, I needed to take everything that was in my head and be like, okay, how do I do it? That simple thing. Like, I think it was, I mean, just even things with setting up the LLC, all of those like it just felt like such a big deal. Like everything felt like life or death. Everything felt it was like on if you picture it like from a scale like my cortisol at that time in my life was like all the way at 10. And so anytime you introduce something new to me. It just felt like a ten. Everything felt like a 10 and scary and so scary. And I needed, yeah, I needed some comfort. But with that, for me, it was like, structure. I needed structure. I needed, like, tell me exactly what I'm supposed to be doing right now. And like, how do I take it from a conceptual, beautiful thought to, how do we bring this to reality? 

Sari  12:45  
I think that's one of my gifts, is like, both the coaching itself and recognizing when it's like, is this, is this really a strategy thing, or is this a limiting belief, or something, you know, an emotional thing that's getting in the way, but then not just sitting in the you know, let's process our feelings, but also giving you, here's the most important next three things to do. Go do those things.

Courtney  13:11  
I needed that, and I totally knew that, because it wasn't, I think for me, so much of it was, I think there was a lot of, like, emotional processing for me at the time, because so much was going on. But then also it was the limiting belief side of it, and I don't think I even really realized it was limiting belief until like later on in, like, actually closer to now, where I'm like, oh, oh, I see that now. But, yeah, I think it was, it was, like, this form of what we talk about. It's like, Upper Limiting myself, or, like, some form of, like, self sabotage. Was like, I see this beautiful life, and I can dream about it, but like, am I going to allow myself to go there, or am I going to just try to get in my own way? And you were really good about being like, nope, we're going to remove the obstacle. See how easy that was. Like, you do you. I left a call, and I go do those three things, and I'm like, okay, that took like, why did I make that such a big deal constantly? 

Sari  14:11  
Because your brain's an a hole and yeah, complicate things and add in all this drama and make it mean something about you that doesn't need to be yes, but what I love, yeah. So the like, Act One, you had this beautiful idea and when you were talking over this last weekend, I love it, you were sharing the story of, like, the journey of the business. Because when we first started meeting, you had, I mean, first of all, congratulations just on being like, you actually took the leap to invest in coaching. And you were like, this is scary, but I'm like, this isn't happening. Yeah, don't do this. Like, I really you believed in your idea enough to make that investment. And then, but you came in with a very, pretty rigid set of, like, this is how the business is going to be, right? This is my idea. So do you want to, I think it's fun to like, explore the evolution we talked about this, you know, this is a journey of your business, and that it's not linear, and just like a river, right? I love that metaphor. It's like, it's not a straight line, go around. And so the very first iteration of the business to maybe just talk about that. It'll be fun to talk about. 

Courtney  15:38  
Yeah, so, actually, I think, you know, it's like, it's funny, because I said I started in Glenwood, but actually I was in Palisade when I first started working with I was like, right on Peach in Maine. It was a cute little spot in Palisade. And I was always one of the farmers markets on Sundays. And I ended up meeting these two gentlemen who were doing micro grains. And so I started working with them. I was like, I really want to start growing edible flowers, but I need enough edible flowers to make pesto, because, remember, I was going to make the nasturtium pesto. And I was like, dead set on this. It's going to be what it is. And so I started in Palisade working with them. And yeah. And then when I like, life continues on, and I'm like, alright, I find myself pivoting to, like a new relationship, like really leaning in, like personal life, like trusting new scenarios for things. And I decide to in, like, my sister just had a baby. I really am like missing family at this point. I want to get closer to family. So all the things, right? So I make my way. I'm starting to move. I end up in Glenwood, and then from Glenwood back into Denver, and I remember, you and I were talking about the business. It was very like still fresh at that point, like trying to make it work by me traveling to Palisade to pick up the products, drive them back to Denver, do farmers markets in Denver. But also, do farmers markets potentially in Palisade and like, also while working a full time job, like, and I was so set on it. I'm like, yes, this is going work. 

Sari  17:18  
You were about to sign some production contract, like this big contract with somebody to grow all these flowers.

Courtney  17:27  
In a price point that didn't make sense. And I didn't take into consideration, like the gas and like everything else that went because I was just so set on, like it has to be this way or it's no way, right? Like it's either this way that I planned, and that's at that point what I thought was going to be successful, like, for my business, and if it wasn't that, then it wasn't going to be a success. And I'm thinking like, and I remember, I think you and I had several calls and you just like, thank you. She was so patient with me. You're like, I think there are several calls where we're just like, okay, and like, you would just get me to I think what's beautiful about your coaching series, like you really get people to hear it themselves, say what they need to hear. So it's like, I don't know how you do it, but it's like a magician. It really is amazing. But I remember being like, oh, this isn't going to work. Is it like, I don't have time to drive to Palaside. 

Sari  17:27  
I just had to say, like, how are you going to do this? 

Courtney  18:23  
I think, like at that time, I think it came down to like, I had to see the math that to know that, like, I wasn't going to make a there was no money I was going to end up losing money and be stressed out driving to and from constantly to Palisade. And what I realized it was like I was trying to hold on to Palisade, and this chapter in my life that was like, very close to home with Palisade. And like I had always had this dream of a little as a little girl, like, I'm going to grow products from the farm to table, and I'm going to produce them, and I'm going to do it in Palisade. And so, like, when I end up in Palisade, like, I think I was just like, yeah, I was honed in on making that dream a reality, and I didn't want to let it go. And then, yeah, I quickly realized, like, it just wasn't going to work.

Sari  19:19  
And even the product itself, I was like, so this product is very cool. And for those who don't know what a nasturtium is, because I didn't, it's a flower. Let me Google that. But even the product itself was very challenging. So it's like, what I saw was, like, an incredible, you know, beautiful idea that has so many different possibilities. You know, because that's what I do as a coach, is I'm neutral, and I can just be like, I'm like, oh my gosh, amazing. We could do so many things. But, you know, you get so focused on, like, it's got to this product and on Palisade, and, you know, farmers markets and this community and, yeah, and who knows Courtney, maybe Chapter Six is like, you're back in Palisade in some way. We don't know, but so it's like that part of the dream doesn't have to die. It's just that doesn't have it's like you don't need it all at once. Like, a book would be no fun if you knew.

Courtney  20:24  
I know. And I was trying. I was literally trying, yeah, and I was totally trying to finish the book before, like, the first chapter was even, like, put on paper. And so it's so fun. And so I think we very quick, and what we ended up doing at that time, if you remember, it was like, okay. And smart of us at the time too, because now looking back, I'm like, thank goodness, that's what we did was I took, I ended up having a hard conversation with the growers, and I was like, I can't do this, you know? And it was just like, but once I did it, oh my gosh, the amount of relief. Because I think I was scared of like, letting them down, more even than like, letting myself down, I was scared of letting them, like people sneezing, oh yeah, oh my gosh. And like, what if you just say no, like, you might piss them off for, like, for a minute, but it's going to be fine at the end of the day. Like, life moves on. And so I did it. And that was, like, my first, oh, that wasn't so bad. Like, and they're still going, they're still thriving, like, you know, so it's like, that was my first moment of, like, okay, I can trust myself that. Like, it doesn't have to be perfect in order for it to be successful first of all, right, it can have, it can change in ebb and flow. And so then I very quickly was like, okay, well, who's going to grow the flowers, right? It was like, I think this was like early spring, and it was like, farmers markets were coming. And, oh, I think at that time, I probably had already signed up for farmers markets in Denver. And so we're like, oh my gosh, how am I going to grow flowers? So I started like, I'm like, okay, I'll grow some at my house. So I got on that really quickly, but then I started looking for growers in the Denver community. So yeah, and then that first year, it's like.

Sari  22:11  
And I connected you with one that had potential, but like, it's really hard to talk to growers in the spring. Would you grow all my flowers for me? And they're like, a million other things doing. And farmers and growers are notoriously bad at communicating and dropping the ball. And we love them, but it's just part of the deal. It's kind of like working with co packers as well. They're just not as invested in your business as you are. And I kept saying, like, why don't you grow them? We don't need a lot. We're not making nasturtium pesto.

Courtney  22:51  
Like, this point, we're just selling flowers. Or, like, can we do something, right? We did, like we went from nasturtium pesto, they're like, okay, let's just sell bouquets of edible flowers. That's what I wanted to do.

Sari  23:14  
But eventually we I talked to into creating, going under, just staying under cottage food, not making, I mean you are working full time at a very demanding job. So I like and you knew you weren't ready to leave that. And so as a coach, I'm always keeping that in mind, and I'm thinking like, what's the best possible way we can, you know, get to the next act of this, this life, the business, and in the, you know, the easiest way possible, the one that's going to cost the least, use the least amount of time, but allows you to like, feel like you're making progress and some momentum. So I finally convinced you to like, let's stay under cottage food. Let's do some markets. And so you launched, let's see, because do we mean in fall, like, fall of 22 and then you launched in 23 is that right? 

Courtney  24:15  
Yep, yep, exactly, yeah. It's funny because I'm pretty sure it was, like, the week of my first market, I was like, that's when I was like, click, I'm going to make salt. And I literally just, like, piled a bunch of stuff in a bowl and like, looks bright. Like, I can sell this all day. Put a little some clam shells. We're good to go. And then it was like, oh, I love tea. I love having tea with my mom. My mom loves tea. Like, tea is such a like, I just love it so much. It was like, tea, I'm going to do a line of tea, okay? And then cocktail sugar. Like, that's so fun. And it's. You know, like something we can talk about and use the flowers in. So it was like, those three things, right? Very different than what they are today. But it was like, I literally think I produced them, like, a couple weeks, like a week probably before that first market, but I showed up and I did it anyway. 

Sari  25:15  
You did, and you got labels printed and like, and what one thing I do really want to give you props for because I know you were perfectionist, and I'm sure you had a vision in your mind, but like, we created your logo on Canva. We, like, worked it together. We created labels on Canva. Like you were willing to do a lot of B minus work. And I think part of it is like you committed to coaching, so you were really in it, and then you committed to farmers markets. So you were like, I need some product to sell. 

Courtney  25:45  
Oh, gosh, now we're actually doing this thing that I got myself into. 

Sari  25:52  
So, I mean, that's when constraints can be a really good thing, if you've, like, kind of put in some things that force you to act, right? I mean, if you didn't have a market, you'd be like, whatever. 

Courtney  26:04  
But I'm pretty sure you, like, you were like, well, get some, get on some markets, because clock is ticking, and if you're going to do it this year, you got to get booked. So, right? I think that was, like, the driving force was like, commit to the market. And then now I know I have something I'm working towards. And then it was like, the labels weren't perfect. And I remember, like, that was so stressful for me, like, I wanted all the things to be like, I think it was even the website at the same time that we were working on, and I'm like, I wanted it to be perfect, but it was like, you just kept telling me, like, it doesn't have to be perfect. Like, and finally, like, letting myself just show up at those first markets with just something and like that fueled me so much, because I was like, I finally gave myself permission to just show up. And again, like, didn't have to be perfect to be successful, because it was successful in the fact that I showed up like, whoa, I actually am here, you know, in those moments like pinching myself, like, look, I actually did it like, I actually built a website. I actually made little like labels and put it in made product, and people are buying it, and it's, you know, so, yeah, I think so much of it is having those, yeah, like having those ways where you can't really back out on yourself.

Sari  26:04  
Llike you would really, it's not just disappointing people, but, you know, there would be, it's not that we can't, as We'll talk about, but, right? And, and I, you know, you, I think you want to sign up for a whole bunch. And I was like, how about we, like, look at your actual calendar for the summer, and we only, and I think you just had, like, six markets or something like that. I dialed it back, yeah, but it allowed you to get your feet wet. It allowed you to feel like I'm making progress. I'm winning. Glad you get feedback from customers, right? I mean, I remember, I was fortunate, because we both live in Denver, and I got to go to your very first market. It was raining, but you there's just something really amazing when you actually make that first sale, and you're like, oh, people want what I have I'm in business, then you like, things start to speed up a lot. So, you know, I call that definitely like Act Two. You, you started doing your markets. You came up to my winter market selling you put together your teas and the pressed flowers, the hunt the salt and the sugar. During the summer, you have the fresh flowers as well,

Courtney  28:42  
but yeah, yeah, I also had, like, the honey, like the little honey cubes for your tea I was doing at the time. And, yeah, yeah. So it's like, act two.

Sari  28:54  
Okay, so you launched the business. You were like, I'm doing this, and you're working full time, but you know you kept you were showing up for the business, for markets. I you know you were talking, I know we'd had conversations about wholesale, and you wanted to get more into that aspect, and then you decided to take an even more demanding job. Yeah, thinking,

Speaker 1  29:20  
Gosh, thinking,

Sari  29:24  
very demanding. And you signed up? Did you sign up for like, a lot more markets in the summer or, okay,

Courtney  29:30  
Well, here's Yeah. Like, so I because at this time I, like, moved to Denver, and I was, like, for a full year, I was living in Denver, but traveling through the mountains. So like going to Telluride, like going to Telluride, going to Buena Vista, going to Aspen, going all these places. I was constantly on the road and doing the business. So it was just, you can imagine why I was burnt out. Folks, like, it was a lot, and, yeah, and so I decided to, like, take, well, actually, I was like, I can't do. Anymore. I quit, right? Like, to the corporate job. I was like, I quit. Like, I'm not doing this anymore. I literally gave my notice. 

Sari  
And how many times did we get you ready to quit?

Courtney  
I know and like, so I had that conversation with them, like, hey, I quit. And they're like, well, what about this other role? Yeah, okay, like, and it was, what about this other role? And it's this client, and I'm like, oh my gosh, yes, because this could really catapult my success with my business if I get that account. It's like, FaceTime with them.  Take the new role. It's like triple the work, although I'm working from home now, but now it's like, I just went from one stress to like a whole new stress. And I remember you being like, what I thought you were going to say, no. I did it anyway. I did honestly, guys. I had to go through it. I had to realize that like and the reason I took it was not necessarily, it was comfort. It was comfort for me. It felt very safe, very comfortable. It's what I've known my entire career was like, well, I'm used to this hustle. It's familiar hustle, even though I'm miserable hustle, right? Like, I'm doing the thing. This client, like, look this book, what it could do for me. And, like, this validation factor coming in, and I definitely had to learn my lesson that like I well, and I also felt this sense of like, again, go back to the people pleasing. I felt like I couldn't say now, because I was, like, so far into like, my commitment with them on it already, that I couldn't say no to the role. So I say yes, and then I'm working like, tenfold what I was already working, and my business started, like, slowly, slowly, like, I had no choice but to, like, start putting on the back burner. And that felt so icky to me, because I just worked so hard and I was so proud and excited of the things that Sari, you and I, like, got to work on and built and brought to life, literally from an idea, a thought, but I just kept going, kept working with the client, and then, I just, I think, I just, yeah, I hit a wall. I totally had a wall, and was like, can't do it anymore, and I'm going to set a date. I did.

Sari  
I remember, it just happened that I was in the area of your farmer's market, and I hadn't seen you for quite a while, and you signed up for a few dates last summer, and hence seeing you, you definitely, like, got a little MIA, right, because you were this crazy job, and it was definitely taking a lot from you and you just happened to be at the market, and I saw you, and you were like, we need to talk.

Courtney  
Yeah, it was heavy. 

Sari  
This is, we were meant to, you know, reconnect. And as a coach, I just, it's not always easy, but I never take those things personal. And I feel like, you know you were trying to, you're like, this is really going to help me with the business later on, it's opening doors. 

Courtney  
I was trying to sell you, like a sale. 

Sari  
Yeah. I mean, maybe that's true, and, you know, and sometimes my job is just to allow and say it's, I think. And actually, I think the beauty, the gift, and I'd love people to come away with that is like, it's okay, like you're still in business, like, this is wrong. This isn't a like, one year thing. And sometimes we get off the path, and that's like, you're okay, and you're better for it in many ways. And sometimes that's what needs to happen. And there's no timeline on this stuff,

Courtney  
Yeah, I was, you know, making good money. I'm, it's Kush in that regard. You know, you get all the validation, the ego, all of those things. But then it was like, the idea that I didn't have enough, or that I wasn't going to be enough to take it to that level, to like, replace the thing that I'm currently doing, felt like such a heavy weight that it was like, just kept me there. Just kept me there. But, yeah, I just, you know, you kind of hit that point where you're like, oh no, that's enough. Like, it's starting to be where I'm walking away so much like I'm putting so much distance between me and my business and this thing that I love in this outlet that's, like, so nourishing and healthy for me when I'm in it, that, why am I choosing this alternate route? I don't have to choose it. Like, and I remember I went to Sedona. I would go to Sedona, like, every year for my birthday, in April. I went to Sedona in April that year. And like, was so stressed out, like I could hardly be present, because, like, you know, I got the client, I had just started that role, and then I actually went again in the fall for a very dear friend, their wedding. And that trip was when like, that was the moment, because there was such this heavy thought and reflection for like, an entire week, just like me, hiking in the desert by myself, like journaling, meditating all the things and realizing, I mean, I think you and I even had a coaching call during that week in my Airbnb, and you got me to picture future me, what like and the life like, how do I want my day to look? And if I was honest, I was like, well, how I want my day to look is nothing like it looks right now. And that was the moment where I was like, whoa. And there was this whole reflection around balance on that trip, and leaning into femininity and like, more of like this feminine. So again, I go back to like, being like, it's easeful, it's flow, it's powerful, but it's more nurturing, it's softer. And what feels that way for me? Guess what? My business. You know, and the things that I'm dreaming up. And so I couldn't deny that. I couldn't put that dream on, like, on mute anymore. It was no longer like that whisper that I talked about at the beginning. It was like, more of a loud like this, it's time, and you have everything that you need, there was like, this inner knowing, like, I have everything that I need, and I got to stop telling myself that I don't and just get out of my own way. And like, I think, I think it's like, I came back and, like, made the decision and did some more coaching, got really involved in coaching with, like, financial coaching and different things, which really helps, because of so much of what I realized now was tied to this, like, whole, like, there's so much belief around financials and uncovering, like, where your fears lie within that, or where your beliefs lie within that, doesn't have to be fears. It can be good things too, and really. So I think that was like two month, like a two month process, and then a couple more months goes by, and then I finally. 

Sari  
Service of getting ready. We were like, okay, we're on a plan. We're making a plan, getting you ready, and some of it, yeah, I mean, finances is real, right? You still have bills to pay. You still have things that, you know, you need a certain amount of money coming in and, and, I mean, I get that as a so, you know, I'm a solo female entrepreneur, and it can be really scary. And we grow up as women, especially with all these really, you know, really challenging money beliefs often about safety and security and what's enough, and are we going to be able to take care of ourselves and also like hiding in the sand and not wanting to look at it. And so I love that you invested in that financial coaching with the amazing Robin, and we just got you ready and to a place where you're like, I'm doing this.

Courtney  
It was that. And then it was networking. I started doing more networking,

Sari  
Yeah, and that's what I said. I was like, you got to come out more like you're in a little bubble, in your corporate job. And I remember I was actually thinking about it, because you came to the Elevate group that I did with the chocolate tasting mushroom chocolates and I think that was a big moment for you as well, and the connections and all the things that came from that

Courtney  
Just giving myself permission to talk about it, to like, own it, and start shifting this like identity of like I am, well at the we keep saying, corporate job, US Foods like I am US Foods like this is right to like I am a business owner, and like being proud to say that, and like being excited, giving myself permission to be excited to say that, and like, hey, this is what I'm really passionate about. Does it resonate with you? And then I was like, people are like, what? Tell me more. And it's like, I didn't have my elevator pitch figured out or anything. 

Sari  
But we're talking about it. And you were so joyful. And I just remember telling me, like, what a powerful experience that was to be around other women, and, you know, we're having an experience around food, and you're talking about what you're doing, and people are getting excited and seeing the vision, it's possible. So then we move into, I would say, in Act Three, which is like, okay, you, I mean, you did you quit your job at the end of 2025. Yeah, super scary. But you also, we also work so much on the vision of what this, you know, beautiful business was going to be, and what you wanted to create. And you set yourself up financially with some safety and security, and you had conversations with your partner.  Like, you didn't just be like, peace, I'm out, right?

Courtney  
It felt like that. It was like, a peace, I'm out, but it was also like, it was definitely methodical, because we had been doing the work, we have definitely been doing the work, and it felt like. Don't think it's like having a child, like, I don't know that there was any moment there I was like, I am ready, you know, like, right now it was more just like, I had to rip the band aid off. I had to burn the ship, you know, like, jump off the ship and then burn it so I, like, would just the ability to swim to shore safely. It was fine. Everything was fine. 

Sari  
And you also gave yourself some security by you applied for a part time job that was in more of that creative food space, and you got that. And so, you know, I think that there was, you were at, like, there's nothing wrong with that. You don't need to burn the boats and like, and then just be like, okay, baby business, perform for me, right? It's like, you had a due date of like, I'm leaving my corporate job, and you held to that, but you also were like, okay, what if I worked this part time job?,

Courtney  
Yeah, I eased myself out of it, right? Like, and that felt really good. That's I needed, that I felt very nurturing for me. And what I needed like, I needed to be seen that like it's okay to feel like, because I think two things were happening. It was like the fear of the financial but it was the fear of also, like staying busy and that being what's productive, and that being what's successful, because that's what I've been used to like that busy is successful, right? That hustle is successful. So it was like a nice, like, calm way to ease myself into the next phase that I had some stability to go from like 150 miles an hour to like zero felt like. So going from like 150 to like, you know, like, I don't know, is a very gradual pace. It was very slow and intentional, and gave me a lot of space to also process, not only like getting my business ready and like allowing but allowing myself space to, like, wake up with the sun, like, and have tea. 

Sari  
To do some of the things we talked about in Sedona, of, like, what would a perfect day be like? What would your, right?

Courtney  
I started to live that, and it was like, you know, you kind of have to pinch yourself but giving it. And then amazing things start happening, right? Then all of a sudden, like, my mind is free enough to start really dreaming and aligning. So I'm networking more, I'm journaling up things more, and now all of a sudden, I'm like, oh my gosh. Like, it's no longer just about me growing and selling flowers. Like, how do I help people feel this connection to nature and slowing down themselves that like, they can do a version of this in their life. They can have this balance, right? That was my goal. Is, like, how do we like? Because everybody else is feeling this like pendulum swing, of like, they're on one side right now, of like, or maybe they're not aware of it, but there's feeling like, why do I feel burnout? Why do I feel like all this heaviness? Like, how do I get over here? You can have both, you can have the balance, but it's like being intentional about slowing down amongst chaos, right? Or amongst just like, a busy work day, maybe it's like, and I think I talked about this at the group the other day, was like, I can have my bagel and schmear and run out the door, or I can have my bagel and schmear with some flowers on it and, like, take that two seconds to, like, appreciate the meal I'm having even if I'm still walking out the door with a bagel in my hand. I want to give this experience to other people. Like this is more than now all of a sudden I'm selling flowers. This is like, how do I gift this whole idea to like, to slow down and connect and like, feel what I'm experiencing from working with flowers with other people. And then it's like, okay, then it's like, more of like, a lifestyle thing. And then now we can do this through events, right? And so just the more that I allowed myself to align with what maybe didn't necessarily look good on paper, but felt really good to me, the more that I'm learning to trust myself by surrendering, letting go of control, trusting there's so much like, I don't know, I think, like vitality, you have to be so alive and present in the moment in order to trust. Because, again, it takes you to surrender into the moment. And for me, flowers do that, and that is ultimately the goal with now the events gather in bloom is to bring people into that space, even if it's just for that hour. You know, just an hour, or just that moment, they get to put something on their salad, or their bagel. 

Sari  
Or their tea, or their chocolate, all the things. And I think so much of us, you know, for the Food Bbusiness Success podcast is like many of us have had these beautiful experiences that got us into food, right? And you talk about your time in Palisade, which was probably very formative. I know you also spent time in France. You'd have a culinary degree. You have loved food, and you've had all these amazing experiences, right? And then you're trying to translate that into a product and, while people might buy the product, it's not like you can give them like it's not like they take in all of those experiences that led you to that product.. And what I loved, you know? And I think the Jen with Moksha Chocolate was who we were. She does these private house parties and so just having that experience, right, bringing other women together and men, right, bringing people together, having this experience, learning about it, slowing down, connecting like food is such this connector. And so it just, it seems such a natural evolution in this next act of your business to go more in to say, yes, I have a product that you can buy, but let me actually help you create like, let's sit in the experience of it first and slowing down, and let me teach you and about all the beautiful, amazing things that flowers offer us, which I'm learning so much about. It's so beautiful. But it's like, you're giving people such an opportunity to create connection. And slow down. 

Courtney  
And it's definitely, it's built. It's where, like, food and nature and nourishment and beauty, like all come together. And like, I don't know, I think edible flower products and like these immersive events that I'm now doing, it is the place where it helps people reconnect, and that can be to nature, that can be to themselves, and that can be to, you know, whatever is calling them in that space that's needed, right? It's about like, slow like, yeah, it's about slow growth, deep nourishment and joy, so that when they take those products home, they've now aligned themselves to the intention behind, like, how they can use that product in their day to day. It's not just like, here, take the product and like, go home and like, good luck. I think it's, it's deeper than that. 

Sari  
It's this extension of the experience, the product. It's an embodiment of the experience. And I know, for me, you know, going, you did this some beautiful brunch and bloom last weekend and amazing five course brunch, and it was just like you brought to like, I've never, you know, I mean, I've tried your flowers before, like the fresh ones, and I'm like, okay, I kind of get it. I don't know. It feels weird eating a flower. Now that I've had more of the education and the like seeing you put it all together on food and hearing about all the benefits. And, you know, I took some of those. What's the yellow ones? The calendula. Yes, I took some of them home. I've been putting them on my like, putting some petals on my salad and even on my oatmeal. And it is. It's like, this immediate trigger of like, let's actually like, taste my food for just a second.

Courtney  
Yes, I give myself permission to, just in this moment, be present with what I'm doing,

Sari  
And even, like your salts, like putting them on, you know, chocolate or on, actually, I brought it to, I gave one to my sister, and we were at a Mexican restaurant, and they we have, like a table side guacamole. And I was telling her about this event, and I gave her a salt, and she's like, well, open it up, and we, like, put some on our guacamole, right there. Like, I was like, look how pretty it is.

Courtney  
Yes, avocado toast, just, you know, just got better, you know. And it is. It's like, yeah, no, it's like, it shifts from, you know, back to like. It shifts from me needing to be the one that is selling the flowers to people, but all of a sudden now I'm like, no, I want to. It's more about, like, teaching people and allowing people to experience it for themselves, because then there's so many different ways everybody's going to be in their different like, you said, like, you're not in you were, like, intimidated even to eat the flowers. Like, okay, I don't really see the point, right? And it's like, so how do I get through then there's going to be people who are like, oh my gosh, I love what you're doing. I eat, I grow edible flowers in my own garden. I wish I had more recipes to use. So what I'm trying to do is meet everybody, kind of where they are in the journey, and it to be where it is, like you're taking down the bat, like the obstacles that are getting in the way of like it being approachable and like it can be something that we incorporate into our lives every day, that we can have these slow, small, intentional moments that bring us joy and pleasure and like, why not? You know, why do we, why are we, like, stuck on it's gotta be, you know, fast and efficient. It can still be fast and efficient, why can't it just also be beautiful, right? 

Sari  
Yes, and help us slow down and just appreciate, right? Have a lot of gratitude, savor it. I guess, a couple quick things I want to really touch on. So I do remember, you know, you were like, you had this vision of, like, the business of how you wanted to help people feel, and the importance of slowing down and all of that. And then you would come sometimes, and you'd be like, like, amped up. And I'm like, okay, Courtney, you have to go first. This beautiful life that you're trying to help everybody experience. Like, dang it. I like, why do I have to go first?

Courtney  
 And I was like, yeah, I have to put in the work before I, like, tell people, oh my gosh, I just had this conversation with somebody yesterday, too. It's like, and that's still and it's an everyday thing. And I guess what we're saying is, because I want to show up authentic. And again, it goes back to like, allowing myself permission to show up authentic. And so what we're what we're meaning by that is like living in a life that's intentionally slow, and it can still be productive, and showing that using flowers as a catalyst, as the, you know, kind of theactual thing that we're using to get that message across. But I have to embody that in my own life, right? And really kind of take the reins and like life isn't happening to me. I am like, I'm happening to life, you know, like and but I can do it with intentionality, and I can have slower, a slower paced, you know, mindset and way about me, and it also not get in the way of being successful and productive. And so you're right, it's but it is a, it's a daily thing, you know. And I it's so funny you say that because she kept saying, you got to do the work yourself. And it was like, felt like, oh, well, why me? Why?

Sari  
I don't know you want to create the business. Do you want to show people how to do it, but it would be inauthentic if you weren't also trying to live a life that way. And it's going to come through in your visuals and your energy, and the emails you write, the social media you put out and I think what you know you're getting to a space where you know, like, if you don't do your meditation and your morning time, and you know, then things don't go as well.

Courtney  
They don't go as well. I feel more like, it's like that agitation. I'm like, tired, I'm burning out, like I'm over committed. All of a sudden, I'm like, not in alignment. And so I do, I try to, like, intentionally have those slow mornings, you know, do things throughout the week that I'm intentionally putting towards myself. It might be like, a nice, beautiful meal, and I like, shut everything else down for that 30 minutes, if that's all I have, 20 minutes, if that's all I have, but it's like being intentional in that moment, you know, getting out in nature, gardening more, doing things like today, I was just telling you I did Aqua Zumba with my friend Karen, and totally different. But it was, you know, just something new for me that felt nurturing. I was taking care of myself. I'm prioritizing my own well being, while also running my business. And the more that I stay in alignment with that, the better results that I'm getting in my business. I will also say, the moment I start freaking out about something, let's say it's like, oh my gosh. I just tried to overnight this product to get here in time to help this customer with something else. And there's a weather delay, and soon as I start spiraling, I'm, like, intentionally recognizing that in the moment, doing my best to be like, it's all going to work out. And like, reshaping my mindset to not hone in on all the fears of things that haven't happened yet, but just trust that it's all going to work out. And guess what? Nine times out of 10, like, I don't even know why I freaked out, right? Like, I'm just learning to trust like myself, God, the universe, like, you know, whatever you're you know, whateveryou believe. And letting it go and letting it go. And it's giving myself permission to let it go.

Sari  
And I think we started this conversation about, like, getting more into out of your head and into more of your intuition, embodying it more. Although, if your head had its way, you would be in about what, 40 farmers markets this summer. 

Courtney  
Oh yeah, when my head was trying to get in the way. 

Sari  
We made all these beautiful decisions about this event business and what it's going to be. And you, like, really envisioned it. And you were, like, getting into it. And I was like, amazing. Go run with that, and then our next coaching call. Two weeks later, come with a list, a laundry list, of everything that you need to do for these three or four farmers markets that you've applied for like every weekend. 

Courtney  
And multiple markets every weekend, and it's just me, like, what am I? I'm like, okay, I'm going to hire all these people, and I got to do all these things, and I'm also going to grow e commerce, and I'm going to go wholesale, and and and and and. And it was, it was that, it was that fear kicking in, that like, I want to do what's comfortable, what feels safe, because I was also scared of my own potential that, oh my gosh, something that feels so authentic in me and aligned. And all these things, all these good things are flowing towards me, connections, you know, things are feeling really easy, but it felt too good to be true, right? And so I start panicking, and I'm like, oh my gosh, this can't be. I got to just oh my gosh. Like, what if I don't make money? Well, I know I'm going to make money if I go to a farmer's market. So now I fill up my calendar. All of a sudden, I'm like, okay, this feels it's gonna be super productive. But I went straight into like, frantic energy mode, scarcity mode, that, like, things aren't going to work out, so I try to control it. That was me trying to control my own destiny, as opposed to surrendering, letting it go and trusting that what I am creating that feels really aligned to me is. Is the right choice, like and it's going to work out and just continuing to like, so it's a muscle every single day, because you're right, we ended up. So what did I do?