We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lesley Mortimer Wallace a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Lesley, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by sharing your thoughts about the pros and cons of family businesses.

I think there is mixed views on family business, some see it as nepotism, I was embaressed about being the boss’s daughter for a long time…then a great friend once told me he saw it as second generation. It changed my whole view on the topic and now I sing it load and proud. I personally couldn’t of done any of this thing called life without the family aspect.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I was in the music industry for almost 20 years, I travelled the world, ate in the best restaurants, experienced the local hole in the walls, dive bars, took time for botanical gardens, walking with no purpose, getting lost in a new place was my favorite. My job was full on…. planes, trains and automobiles intertwined with festivals, arenas and stadiums. I was Mum to whomever I was working, so I took care of their hospitality needs, wardrobe, vip guests, after parties and anything in between. It was a whirlwind and an incredible opportunity filled with travel, comradeship and a great paycheck. However it was not sustainable, it was multiple 20 hr days per week…the schedule left no time for family, relationships or any kind of healthy routine. So I started to think about a B plan.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

I probably did most all of it “wrong” or what the professionals may consider cart before horse (or something less polite). 1) I had a strong gut feeling that my last tour was my last tour and so I saved every single dollar. about $30k 2) I had worked with my Dad from 2006 to 2015 (he was also in the music industry, my whole life) He retired in 2015 with nothing truly tangible. He had a small pension and a couple of broken marriages. He moved to Tn to live with me in 2017. I told him about my idea, and I needed help with a deposit to purchase The Land. about $45k 3) I started dating my now husband Steve who is a very talented Carpenter. Saving me roughly (and there is an ongoing tab) of about $150k lol If these 3 things had not aligned, I probably would not be doing this interview.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

I have several business partners, including my Dad and my Husband. The other business partners that Im not related to…are technically tenants, but I have never seen our relationships that way. They are part of the village and it’s so important for me that this unique village is happy. Organically each one of my business partners found me or I found them in a really awesome universe kind of way. The latest Genevieve Neace was a fellow roadie that I had toured with back in 2010 with Guns ‘n’ Roses and we were bonded for life. We are now running “The Yorkshire Farm Deli” together (a farm store/british tea room). My first business partner Matt Pilcher who anchors The Land with “Thrive Garden Center,” The Garden Center allows us to really enjoy all the seasons to the max. We have 7 independent Farmy type business’s located at The Land.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thelandcc.com
• Instagram: @thelandcc
• Facebook: @thelandcc

Image Credits
genevieve neace