We recently connected with Lynn Hisle and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Lynn thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
I am a beekeeper in Madison County with a love and passion for my flowers and bees. In working with flowers, I understand the importance of pollinators in this world. The bees are a vital tool in sustaining life. While traveling with my husband to visit a lavender field in Abingdon, VA, I realized I needed this at my home. Upon arriving at the field, the sweet aroma of lavender filled the car. The closer I got to the lavender I could hear the buzzing of the bees. When I stepped into the field, all I could hear and see was the bees working the lavender. As intimidating as it was, all my fears suddenly left because I realized the bees were not interested in me. I was in awe of God’s handy work. I was in total amazement. You can’t bottle the experience for someone else. It was a display of mother nature at its finest and I had to bring that home. My husband looked at me and said, “You have to do this.” It was a win-win situation with my love for bees and passion for flowers. So, in 2022, my journey started. My bees are happy and I am happy.
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.
I attended EKU in the field of Agriculture/Landscape design. During this time I was married, had two children in school, and was blessed to work at Hyster Yale Manufacturing, which allowed and encouraged me to further my education. I have always had dirt under my nails. I grew up on a farm, and it took all of us outside to work in the garden and tend to the yard. That is where the seed was sown, thus creating my love for plants and nature as I grew older.
In my lavender field, I have freshly cut lavender in various sizes. Once the lavender is dried, I make lavender sachets. I provide fresh-cut lavender to local florists. I also allow photographers to come and create magic for their clients in the field. My field is a peaceful place for book clubs to meet, yoga classes, business events, and anyone in the community who wants to experience nature at its finest. It is not about the products, but the experience my field offers and the joy it brings me to see the reactions of the people who attend.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
My faith in God is my main resource in this journey. As a child I was always told to put my faith in God. At 63 years young, I put my whole faith and trust in God on this project. God already had the plan; he was waiting for me to initiate it. God uses your talents to further His kingdom. One of my many God-given talents is working with nature, whether it’s working with flowers and bees or just sharing my knowledge with others. I thank God everyday for the ability he gave me and continues to give me. At the end of the day, it is all about God and his plan and purpose for the field. I prayed that it would be a peaceful refuge for people to visit while seeing a reflection of Gods creation. There are so many avenues for people to go to to escape the hustle and bustle of life today, but I hope my field is an alternative way to find peace. I am not on this journey alone. God is with me every step of the way.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
As a child growing up, we were very blessed in so many ways, but we were not afforded the luxuries of an easy life. We had to work hard for what we had on our parent’s farm. We learned a respect for the land and what we put into the land, we got out. Growing up, I had four siblings, and my mother was able to harvest the garden to prepare meals fit for a king while also canning to prepare for the future. She instilled in us that you could take the simple things in life and create beauty in everything you touch. Her love of flowers was always on display for everyone to see in the yard, garden, or inside her home. Seeing the joy flowers brought to my mother influenced my love for flowers and created the ability to bring joy to others through my lavender. Lavender is one plant that touches all of your senses. When I started my field, My mom was not physically able to be there, but she was my main support system and created the resilience in me today.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Just Kenna Photography Black Box Media Shutter and Bloom Photography Lynn Hisle