We recently connected with Crystal Hilsley and have shared our conversation below.
Crystal, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Parents can play a significant role in affecting how our lives and careers turn out – and so we think it’s important to look back and have conversations about what our parents did that affected us positive (or negatively) so that we can learn from the billions of experiences in each generation. What’s something you feel your parents did right that impacted you positively.
I was raised by a single mother, my dad passed in a car accident when I was almost 2 years old. My mom who loved to care for others put herself through school and became a nurse. She was also a very health conscious mom and we at whole foods at every meal, only enjoying treats on holidays or special occasions. I recall thinking my oatmeal was birdseed because it was filled with dried fruit, nuts and seeds and sweetened only with a little local honey.
Our back yard had fruit trees, a strawberry patch and a vegetable garden. My childhood memories are filled with pulling fruit from the tree when we were told to stay outside and play, burying my brother’s action figures in the strawberries, and grabbing carrots from the ground for dinner.
I would beg for treats and tell my mom “When I have kids, I’m going to let them eat whatever they want!!” Little did I know at the time that couldn’t be further from the truth and how much of a gift it was to have in my subconscious programming the knowledge of whole foods and their impact on my life.
Growing up we were rarely sick, and spent a lot of time outside in the sunshine with bare feet, and feeling good was the norm.
When I went off to college, I took all of this for granted and ate whatever junk I wanted to. I worked at a local Italian restaurant and had pizza and fried foods frequently and got chips and junk from the mess hall. My energy was low and I was tired often which was impacting my studies. I started getting acne and gained weight which shook my confidence and started getting colds often.
My first summer home, my mom noticed the change in my physique, behavior and of course grades. Within a few weeks of being home and eating her home cooked meals, being outdoors barefoot, and sleeping well, my body was thanking me and my mind was settling. A clarity around what I had been doing was lifting to the surface.
When I returned that fall, my friends noticed a change and I felt different and started looking at my studies with more focus on what excited and interested me. I found it fascinating to watch my friends and the way they interacted with life and their surroundings. The natural curiosity led me to change my major to Psychology and the courses were challenging but in a good way. They stretched my view of the world and helped me make sense of my behaviors and how I approached life. Isn’t that what the college experience is for after all?
Although it took another 10 years to begin to understand how the subconscious choices my mother instilled in me around my food and lifestyle choices was going to impact my career and further how I could use that to create a business that supported others; the journey in itself is the gift today.
Crystal, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I started a mixed media company called Crystal Clear Kids in 2017 that focused on how to educate parents to instill healthy food choices in their kids. I studied Parent Child Interactive Therapy (PCIT), and obtained a Certification as a Master Health and Wellness Coach. I then published a kids book, participated in events as a key note speaker, held events at local shops, produced hundreds of hours of content in the form of videos, workbooks and courses. My material was successfully white labeled to various organizations that worked with youth athletes and family support organizations.
Throughout this journey, the facts and data became more and more clear: when children are exposed to nutritious food in a fun environment, they build trust with it and choose those foods over others based on how they feel. When we are in a garden or at a farm, the feelings we get are joy, happiness, and fun!
My main source of income was working as a Corporate Development Consultant and I gained experience at an Investment Bank, worked with Incubators and Accelerators, and guided dozens of entrepreneurs to get their startup ideas traction and funding.
Through that I asked myself, how can I do more? In 2020, I went back to school and got Certified in Sustainable Agriculture. A real estate project that I helped lead through a Merger and Acquisition had land available to create a micro-farm for on-site food production and a farm to table experience. The design and vision I drafted was pivotal in securing $18 million in funding from the USDA to support the purchase of the property.
To date, I’ve worked on eleven real estate development projects creating and defining the Sustainability Plan and developing a farm experience with programming to compliment the property use, increase branding and recognition for the project, and have measurable sustainability metrics for investment and reporting. In each project – we also explore the social sustainability impacts and how the community will benefit from local food procurement and events to honor their needs.
In 2021, I got my Certification in Environmental Management and Sustainability Strategy, further enhancing my ability to approach each project from a holistic perspective.
From my childhood programming of knowing how to eat well, feel good and heal my body, each and every project’s purpose is to showcase the beauty of farms and gardens, share their abundance with the community and provide a space for learning and connection.
While my journey into becoming a “Modern Farmer” may not have been traditional or ever expected, my blend of Corporate Development, Sustainable Agriculture, and creating community connections has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
The brands, companies and organizations I get to work with experience an elevation in their profits, measurable sustainability outcomes, an asset that pays forward, additional programming and experiences for their guests and gives back to their community. They are more attractive to investors and are primed for awards and recognition in multiple sectors and the stakeholders and leadership teams feel good about the way their business operates while receiving an additional revenue stream.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
Some of my favorite books include: Never Split the Difference By Chris Voss
The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J Stanley
The Game of Life and How to Play it By Florence Scovel Shinn
How to Become a Rainmaker by Jeffrey J. Fox
The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks
Outwitting the Devil by Napoleon Hill
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
Relationships and referrals.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ccng.dev/
- Instagram: @ccng_developments
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-hilsley/
