Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Khadeem Thomas. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Khadeem, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear from you about what you think Corporate America gets wrong in your industry and why it matters.
Thinking that more is truly more. In the farming industry commercial scale growers behave as if more is more. We as a nation are over consumers leaving the producers with a heavy burden to feed the masses. Many farms have to be one dimensional and grow or raise only one thing whether it’s corn all the way down to cows for dairy and meat. But what happens when they are no longer in demand or if another “COVID” hits leaving these farms with more produce than can be delivered to the people. It will all go to waste because it’s not truly efficient living. Although on the surface it may seem efficient to only have one focus as a producers, it leaves us extremely limited and vulnerable to the uncertainties of the world. The inevitable crash is among us as we speak. The solution is more small scale diversified farmers producing a wide variety of produce, livestock and experiences to the everyday person.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
About 7 years ago, I was on my way home and received a powerful revelation showing me why to trust in the Bible. The same way God communicates with me through visions and vocals is the same way S/He communicated with the authors of the Bible. From there I began to read and research more to understand life and my role in it all. As I was reading through Genesis one day, it hit me; in the beginning no one was working a job or trying to maintain social status, everyone was working the soil and planting their food to live. I began to put myself in their shoes. What if I no longer worked for food but grew my food? What will I then invest in once I’m no longer investing in my survival? What does it look like to finally thrive in life? I had no answers but the answers would soon come. I set my mind that I would become a farmer. But wait, I didn’t even eat vegetables! What was I thinking.
I knew what I was here to do. Be a guide for those looking to live again. I would be the example on how to return back to the basics in this new age. Acknowledging the advances we’ve made as a society all while starting from scratch securing my essentials. Once my work was determined, I met my now wife and we began growing and building immediately upon meeting. Her background in herbalism was immediate addition to my newfound dream of farming. I’m exposing her to her roots and she’s showing me all of the possibilities on maximizing this dream. As we furthered in our relationship we would also grow in business together.
We now have a fully functioning farm. Producing all sorts of exotic variety of vegetables like Black Cherry Tomatoes, Lemon Squash, Lime Basil, Thousandhead Kale and many more! We also have expanding into livestock. We have 90 chicken growing in different phases so we can produce our own meat, eggs, and chicks. Also, we have 3 rabbits and 3 goats to breed and continue our expansion. Eventually we would like to breed our livestock guardian dog with a female and begin selling the puppies to other farmers in need of protection.
Outside of our farm, we create byproducts including whipped shea butter, skin salves, herbal remedies, and children’s products. We create all of our products in house and ensure we are creating the highest quality possible to better serve our clients. We are now offering meal planning for families that simply do not have the time but are seeking a healthier lifestyle. My wife is an excellent chef with a heart yearning to help those in need of a change with their diet. Everything we have to offer is through our website sunpeoplesanctuary.com.
What sets us apart is that we are a family owned business diversified in all we have to offer. Not many farms offer everything we do, in fact I don’t know of one that does offer everything we do. Especially with everything being made in house. You don’t see that often if any. Our goal in to open grocery stores in our communities to feed our people nourishment physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
I’m most proud that my wife and I are chasing our dreams and allowing them to come to us despite the doubters and non believers. We understand that where two agree, God is in the midst meaning that anything is possible. We lean on one another when times get tough and I’m excited for our growth and continued expansion. Sun People Sanctuary is just that, a sanctuary for people to come and feel safe and get fed.
Have you ever had to pivot?
Just recently I left my position in Corporate America to farm full time. Almost 3 years to the date I began working for this organization, I call it quits by informing the team that my last day was quickly approaching. Initially I started the job to gain more stability in my life and got just that. Through this job I was able to afford to get married, a place for my wife and I and an opportunity to expand my family with a natural home birth. Needless to say, it wasn’t as easy to leave and it was to start. However, I knew in my heart it was time to make the transition. Everything wasn’t completely worked out in terms of income and how we would make it work moving forward. I knew for certain that the time I would now have would give plenty of opportunities to formalize our plans moving forward. We knew what we have to offer as a business but never having adequate time to cultivate our vision. With the combination of raising a family, working and keeping a home, time just didn’t seem to be on our side. And with inspiration from people like Steve Harvey or Gary Vee, I knew we needed to take the leap into our endeavors. If we didn’t do it, then we wouldn’t do it. Circumstances will never be perfect when you’re following your dreams but that’s what faith is for. And it isn’t faith if you know all of the steps. In life the biggest pivots come when we don’t have it all figured out, they’re the most monumental.
Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?
My cofounder is my wife and we met through our high school teacher. Our teacher, after we graduated, opened her own school and during her transition period needed some assistance moving all of her items from one facility to another. We were both there helping on the same day for the first time. There was an immediate connection though it was unspoken, we both recognized something was bringing us together. Just days prior we connected on social media and engaged in light conversation relating to some of the images I was posting at the time being very inspirational. Once we connected in person, we began to communicate more frequently. We went from cordial to friends to lovers. Though it may have seemed fast to the outside world we were riding the wave without any questions. Talking all of the deeper more necessary conversations regarding past relationships, home life, and even our projected future together.
We grew and grew and grew. We knew we’d have a huge impact on each others lives regardless of our relationship status. We saw the possibilities of our future together and committed to one another. We were married and taking our investments into one another to a new level. We would strongly encourage one another to undergo the experiences we longed to have. We traveled, experienced new endeavors together, and invested in each others passions. Mine being writing, farming, and music. And my wife’s being herbalism, fashion, and cooking. We found ways to combine our passions into an inclusive business; Sun People Sanctuary.
Contact Info:
- Website: sunpeoplesactuary.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sun.people.sanctuary/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sun-People-Sanctuary-101174609187348/?ref=search&_rdr
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/StrikinglyCool
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmjoz14p9GvJkAhMpzlejGQ
- Other: Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sunpeoplesanctuary
Image Credits
Khadeem Thomas Skyy Thomas