We were lucky to catch up with Diane Podgornik recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Diane thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?

I hope that people will remember me for my creative spirit, my willingness to try new things and my openness to share my talents with others. I have had a great love for the outdoors and have spent years educating youth. I started by teaching youth swimming, kayaking, and canoeing and leading canoeing and hiking trips into the wilderness. I then spent 22 years teaching science, engineering, and robotics in public schools. My last 7 years have been a journey of entrepreneurship that have included the opening of the Whoopsa Daisy Farm and Airbnb as well as vending at multiple quilting shows.

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 currently own the Whoopsa Daisy Farm in Duluth, MN. It is an agritourism farm open August, September, and October weekends. We have donkeys, goats, and chickens, Dinoland, Fairyland, playgrounds, yard games, crafts, a corn pit, a wagon ride, berries and more. We also host birthday parties, field trips, and special events. An Airbnb on the property allows families and groups to experience the farm all year round and also sets up to host crafting retreats. I sew and create crafts in the off season to sell throughout the year. We also have pick your own blueberries in August and chokecherries in the fall as well as a variety of vegetables when they are available. The farm is a big undertaking and family and friends all work together to open the farm in the fall.

I am most proud of the support I have received from the community. I have always felt that I have been lucky enough to have land and the ability to build my dream. I feel that sharing the farm with others is the greatest gift I can give back. I have hosted field trips that have enabled groups to experience the farm that might not have had the opportunity to have this experience. I cater to individual groups and needs and do what I can to make everyone feel welcome.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Last year, I started the year off as planned and hosted field trips in May. I was not feeling well and had two surgeries in the winter and spring to deal with a hernia and other issues. I thought this would make me feel better but I continued to not feel well. I had been struggling with low blood sugar events, even though I was not diabetic. The doctors found a tumor in my pancreas called an insulinoma. I had the tail of my pancreas removed in June and that solved the low blood sugar events. The recovery from the surgery was difficult and when it was time to open the farm in August, the farm was not ready and neither was I. Last year my husband and I decided not to open the farm for the public on weekends. The Airbnb remained open with the help of family and friends. I am so thankful for all the warm wishes and support my family received while I recovered. This year we are back in operation. I am not sure how it will affect business by having to close for a season but I know that the right decision was made to close last year. My family learned a valuable lesson about living life last year. Yes, we had our eye opener. We hope to come back strong this year but with a new perspective that evolves around loving life, loving people, and not taking anything for granted.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

One of the scariest times in life is when you decide to quit your full-time job with benefits and jump into entrepreneurship. I do not make as much money now as when I was working full-time as a teacher. But, there are many things that I do at home that make it possible for my husband to make more money on his businesses. I am able to maintain the house, shopping, yard work, errand running and all of those things that eat up time. I am also able to help him at his businesses when I have time available. We were overwhelmed as a couple when we were both working full-time jobs and raising kids. We were stressed and had difficulties keeping it all together. Our kids are now out of the house but not out of our lives. We have learned how to work as a couple together on all of our businesses. We have created a partnership that supports each other and there is a lot less stress in our lives because of our actions. Our relationship has grown and we are enjoying life now more than ever.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.whoopsadaisyfarm.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whoopsadaisyfarm