They say it’s not stress if you love what you’re doing. So, we love what we’re doing!
- Windy, co-owner of Belle Lavande
Taking Time to Smell the Lavender at Belle Lavande
Husband and wife Terry and Windy were ready to pivot their careers. Inspired by their recent travels to a farmers’ market in Glen Arbor, they set their sights on lavender.
Making the move.
Making the move.
For Terry, owning a lavender farm was an opportunity to return to his roots. He grew up in the country and often helped his grandfather with tasks around the farm. And Windy loves to garden. So, this new opportunity was a way for her to live her passion each day. Ironically, she accidentally killed three lavender plants in her own garden. But failure wasn’t an option when it came to the farm.
To ensure their success, Windy and Terry took an online course through Michigan State University on how to grow lavender. They earned a certificate and started connecting with other farms to learn more about the agricultural industry, finding a supportive community in the process.
Taking the next step.
Taking the next step.
With the knowledge they needed to get started, Terry and Windy bought the property in Stockbridge and had the soil tested. Finally, it was time to get to work. But the first summer was brutal. As they worked to till the soil and set up the rows for the lavender plants, the work slowed as they hit rock after rock. But their hard work paid off when the plants began to grow.
“There’s stress on a farm, but it’s good stress,” Terry shares. “You’re working with the weather and the heat, but you’re working for yourself. An improvement to the kind of stress in our lives is a big element to it [starting the farm].”
“They say it’s not stress if you love what you’re doing,” Windy echoes. “So, we love what we’re doing!”
Why lavender?
Why lavender?
Though lavender plants have a reputation for giving off a calming scent, they’re actually very adaptable plants. It requires little water, has minimal soil needs, and doesn’t even need to be replanted year. These features, along with the versatile use of lavender, made it the perfect option for Windy and Terry to follow their dream while also having a work-life balance and having the ability to travel down south for the winter.
Finding the right partner.
Finding the right partner.
Along their entrepreneurial journey, Terry and Windy needed a supportive partner to help with their business banking needs. They turned to Lake Trust and found help getting connected to a vast network of small business resources.
“We didn’t talk to any other lenders. We just went straight to Lake Trust. And it's that feeling of family and really wanting you to succeed and doing everything they can to help you. All you have to do is call and ask for help, and they'll get you the help you need or what you're looking for,” says Terry.
