Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rick Borden. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Rick, thanks for joining us today. So, let’s start with trends – what are some of the largest or more impactful trends you are seeing in the industry?
Many people are looking for new and innovative ways to live their lives as we move into the 21st century. One of the most popular trends is homesteading, in which we combine traditional skills with modern technology to make a self-sufficient lifestyle.
We can homestead in any location, but it’s popular in urban areas like Scottsdale, AZ 85254 because of the limited space. There are many ways to homestead, and each person has their own way of doing it. As the world progresses into the Fourth Industrial Revolution, there are significant changes in the real estate market.
The trend of people wanting to become urban farmers and homesteaders is one of the changes.
Rick Borden is a visionary and futurist who specializes in this area and works with clients who want to make this shift. I was a featured Agriscaping Summit speaker on the health benefits of growing and eating microgreens as well as my work as an urban farmer educator. We can homestead in any location, but it’s popular in urban areas because of the limited space.
There are significant changes in the real estate market varying from low inventory, increasing interest rates, increasing values, and increased pressure from consumer demands. The trend of people wanting to become urban farmers and homesteaders is one of the changes.
Empowering others to achieve greatness is our number one focus and primary mission. Through our real estate services, we change the lives of others, helping them accomplish things they thought were never possible. Such as converting their home in the city into an urban farm that allows them to experiment with growing their own food.
Each day we set out to find answers that no others ever seek to explore by asking this one question every day of their lives “What’s the one thing you can do, such that by doing it, everything else will be easier or unnecessary?”
We are here to create a “Unique Real Estate Experience” for you!
Rick, 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?
My Backstory
My interests are driven by both personal/professional experiences and academic research as an ethnographer. In my personal experiences, I have been able to make connections with complex adaptive systems on our farm through the transformation of desert dirt to having a hand in creating healthy organic soils on our farm. I’ve also been able to use this same soil for my research as an ethnographer. Through my research, I’ve been able to understand the complexities of how humans are affecting the environment, which is a challenge that needs to be addressed in order for us to have a sustainable future.
What do you want people to know about you?
I am a scholar-practitioner who wants to be a part of the solution. I want to help communities take action. I recently was struggling with my doctoral studies with learning disabilities and other significant issues that stem from past events in my life. I learned more about my brain and had brain mapping done locally in Scottsdale. The results were informative. My focus now is to conduct a doctoral dissertation focusing on adult learners who suffer from mental illness. So, if this topic resonates with you, please reach out to me and we can share thoughts surrounding mental illness and adult learning, and metacognition awareness.
I love to teach! I’m a very outgoing, caring, empathetic, and compassionate person who loves to laugh, work out, and coach others to greatness. I feel I can help others understand their uniqueness and encourage them to embrace it while building a stronger community.
Interpersonal Growth and Leadership Development
A person like myself who has experienced failure in their career may view failure as a learning opportunity, I refer to it as “Failing My Way Forward” while another person who has experienced success in their career might view failure as an opportunity to learn from the other person’s mistake. The same is true of personal experience versus professional experience. A person who has had many positive experiences in life may view every negative experience with optimism and hope for better things to come, while a person who has had many negative experiences in life may view every positive experience with suspicion and doubt. We are seeing this trend currently due to current global and domestic environments.
How I Got Into Real Estate
I am a second-generation real estate broker, and I love helping others achieve their goals and desires. I’ve been working with real estate for 27 years, and I am always eager to help people achieve their dreams of homeownership. Working with family can be challenging, however, I am grateful for working alongside my wife Leane and boys Matthew and Jamie, father and uncles earlier in my career. Today, 27 years later, my focus is on giving back to my community and sharing my ethnographic research, and adding to the body of knowledge within multiple fields. Including real estate, urban farming, mental health awareness through neuro-feedback, and as an online influencer across multiple channels.
Lessons & Experiential Learning
As I stated earlier, my real estate career has been a blessing because it has afforded me many opportunities for learning. Experiential learning is one of the most effective ways to learn and grow; however, not all experiences are equal. Some experiences are better than others for learning, depending on one’s perspective. In my experience with real estate, I have learned to be an effective leader by being a learner through reflexivity. As I stated earlier, my experiences with real estate have provided me with many opportunities for learning and growth; however, not all experiences are created equal. Some experiences are better than others for learning, depending on one’s perspective. Real estate has been good to me. I have learned a great deal about life, people, and business over the past 27 years. One of the most important lessons that I have learned is that it is vitally important to lead oneself before attempting to lead others. In order for one to be an effective leader, one must first possess self-awareness and integrity. Only then can one effectively lead and serve others.
My Experience of Urban Farming and Its Positive Effects
There is a great deal of research that supports the positive effects of urban farming on mental health. For adults with ADHD, there are several benefits to be gained from working in or engaging in an urban farm setting. These benefits include, but are not limited to: improved focus and concentration, increased task completion, strengthened interpersonal social skills, and enhanced emotional well-being.
These benefits are especially important for adults with ADHD, as many struggles in these areas because of their mental illness.
As a result, I have focused my research on this subject and its positive effects on people with learning disabilities like myself who live in urban environments such as Scottsdale, Arizona, through an autoethnographic study for my doctorate. I am in the third and final year of my program with the University of Charleston, West Virginia. Our urban farm is one of my projects for my doctoral portfolio. Stay tuned for publication in 2022!
Experiential Learning Through Technology
I am currently enrolled at UCWV in my doctoral program of executive leadership. It has been quite an experience being a college student again at my age and working full time during this domestic and global pandemic. I would say that some of the biggest challenges I face are the use of technology in my research as an ethnographer, and trying to thrive in a chaotic world. As a student who has struggled with learning disabilities throughout my academic career, I have found that technology has been a saving grace for me. Technology allows me to “level the playing field” so to speak, by providing me with tools and platforms that allow me to complete assignments and research projects on par with my peers. In addition, technology provides me with an avenue to express myself without the fear of being judged. I am grateful for the opportunities that it has given me and will continue to fight for those who feel like they do not have a voice within unseen disabilities.
The coronavirus pandemic is affecting our lives. We are all worried about how it will affect us and our families. One of the biggest concerns for me has been how the pandemic will affect my family and community. I have seen firsthand how our community has rallied together to help one another during this pandemic. As a result, I want to share some of how I am helping my community during this time.
I am proud to say that I have been able to contribute to the community in some small way by providing them with an essential service. This has allowed me to remain positive in this difficult time, as well as given me a chance to learn more about our community. I am also using the technology available to me to make a difference. My ministry, “Minding God’s Business,” has been using social media and email to communicate with group members. I am excited to use my skills as an ethnographer to help my Ministry better understand their members and how they can continue to help them during this pandemic. I also created an online community called “When Dogs Go To Heaven” to support those who have lost their beloved pets. This community is actively growing its members because of the overwhelming response of support of members leaning in to serve others in need!
My personal Experience of Urban Farming
I have always been a steward of the land, a person with a love for nature who cares about the environment we live in. As I’ve grown older, my interest in homesteading has developed into a lifestyle that includes many areas of my life, one of which is the urban farming real estate niche in Scottsdale, AZ. I am an advocate for this type of conservative living, but I am also a part of it. I lead the field with my ethnographic research, applying what I learn into practice as a scholar-practitioner because I am a subject expert in this arena.
I have a small urban farm in Scottsdale with my wife and our two fur babies. I live on a small urban farm with several varieties of fruit and citrus trees that provide us with delicious fruit throughout the year. I am building a 20’X48’ commercial greenhouse with 7.5 sidewalls for year-round food production for my family, local restaurants, and subscription-based customers, as well as supplying microgreens and other food for the less fortunate.
When I was younger, my parents would take me and my brothers camping in the state parks near our home when we lived in Minnesota. I would explore the woods, looking for animals and plants to identify. My love for nature grew during these trips, as did my awareness of how we as humans interact with complex adaptive systems like nature. I think my love for urban farming & real estate comes from this early experience, and my desire to be connected with the environment in which I live. I also believe that there are many benefits to living an urban farm/homesteading lifestyle, especially as it relates to adults with learning disabilities like myself.
Rick’s Unique Real Experience
There are many people who advocate for eco-friendly living, but I think what sets me apart from others is my experience as an urban farmer and real estate broker in my community of Scottsdale, AZ 85254. I have first-hand experience in designing and implementing an urban farm, which gives me a unique perspective on the subject, and I share my learning experiences on our YouTube channel. In addition, I have also been involved in the real estate market for over 27 years, so I have a lot of knowledge and insight to share on this topic. I am excited to continue sharing my experiences with others who want to learn more about how they can live a more sustainable, healthy lifestyle.
For starters, I am interested in urban farming because it provides opportunities for personal growth and leadership development. Adults with ADHD often have difficulty with self-awareness and understanding of who they are as individuals. This is because ADHD can affect different areas of a person’s life in unique ways (e.g., cognitive, social, emotional). Urban farming can provide a setting where adults with ADHD can explore these different aspects of their lives in a safe and supportive environment. Through this type of exploration, they can develop a better sense of self-awareness and understand how ADHD affects them personally.
Besides the benefits associated with personal growth, there is also evidence that suggests urban farming has positive effects on mental health. I’ve found that exposure to nature (including urban farming) can reduce stress levels and improve mental well-being. This is likely because nature provides an opportunity for individuals to connect with their surroundings meaningfully. When people can connect with their surroundings, they often feel a sense of calm and tranquility. Ultimately, my interest in urban farming is driven by both personal experiences and academic research. I believe it has the potential to provide benefits such as personal growth and leadership development, as well as improved mental health. I am excited to continue exploring this topic further and see how it affects my life personally. Thank you for reading!
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
I believe that resilience is a mental state that a person is in when they can overcome adversities. When a person has a strong will and a strong faith in themselves, they are resilient. I do not know where I got it from other than the fact that life for me has been difficult and has had its challenges for me. Specifically speaking about learning and cognitive functions within the prefrontal cortex of my brain. This region of the brain is responsible for executive functions. Which I am lacking due to mental health issues stemming back to my time served with the Army.
To provide the reader with an example, I failed the real estate exam three different times. I, however, kept going back, and on the fourth time, I successfully passed the starting 27-year career in real estate. Over the years, due to failing my way forward, I have learned to be patient with myself, to understand my strengths and weaknesses, and to pick and choose my battles in life. One of the biggest areas of resilience that I can share with you is how I dealt with congestive heart failure. My cardiologist wanted to put me on four different medications. I went about this naturally, and after one year of growing and consuming my own microgreens and fruits and vegetables from our urban farm, I returned back to my cardiologist and was tested once again.
The results showed that I lowered my cholesterol and my standing heart rate. I lost 30 pounds through exercising, praying, meditating, and learning the process of getting over myself. I was learning to pivot my thinking at a metacognitive awareness level. I became intentional about what I was thinking and thinking about. I became hyper-aware of my way of being. How I showed up in every aspect of my life.
I no longer have high blood pressure, my lungs are clearing up and I continue to be intentional about my metacognitive awareness levels are at.
What the Mind Can Conceive and Believe it Can Achieve ~ Napoleon Hill
Currently, my resilience is demonstrated throughout my journey of starting my doctorate of executive leadership with the University of Charleston West Virginia. As an adult learner with learning disabilities specifically ADD and ADHD I had to learn more about myself and the struggles I was having within. So, I invested in myself and decided to understand more about how my brain functions.
Once the results were in, I had a consultation, and my world changed forever. I now had a glimpse into my mind and was able to go back to my younger years and begin to conduct a self intervention. Once I had received the results and a written report specifically naming all of the details I was initially excited to learn about my brain. I mean I knew I had issues with learning and suspected a TBI result. I was not however ready to hear what he shared. It was not however bad news. It was simply news, it was now data that I had to begin to research and to understand what peer-review literature said about these conditions I was learning and starting to finally understand what was happening in my awesome brain. I now had to #PIVOT
Due to pre-existing medical conditions, I am not a candidate for any medications to help me cognitively. I was on my own. Currently, I’m working on solutions that will help me thrive and continue to be successful in my doctorate.
How did you build your audience on social media?
If you’re a small business in Scottsdale, Arizona, or anywhere else for that matter, and you’re looking to grow your social media presence, then you’ve come to the right place. In this blog post, we’ll tell you how we grew our social media following from scratch and how you can do the same for your business.
Freedom of expression is one of the most human rights in the world, and it’s something that everyone has a right to even though sometimes it may be difficult to do. The ability to speak freely is important in every society because it gives people a voice when they may not have one otherwise. We all have the right to express ourselves in whatever way we choose, and no one should ever be silenced or taken away that right. Social media is a great way for people if they want to share their thoughts with others who are also interested in hearing them out.
One of the best things about social media is that it’s a great way to connect with your target audience. And when it comes to small businesses, this is especially important because it allows you to build relationships with potential customers and clients.
1. Know your audience or Avatar.
2. Create quality content
3. Use social media tools to help you grow
4. Connect with other influencers
5. Stay consistent
Social media is not just about posting content. It’s also a great way to engage with your audience by answering questions and responding to comments on posts. This will help them feel like they’re part of the conversation, which can be very beneficial for building relationships over time. If you want people to follow you, then it’s important that they see how much value add when interacting with others as well! Plus, if someone likes what they read or sees on Instagram, chances are high they’ll share it too – so make sure all those links up top have quality content behind them because otherwise, it won’t work as well.
Another thing to keep in mind is that social media isn’t all about selling your product or service. In fact, if you do this too much, people will quickly lose interest. Instead, focus on providing valuable content that will help your audience solve a problem or learn something new. This could be in the form of blog posts, infographics, videos, or even just images with helpful tips. Not only will this help you build a following over time, but it’ll also help you establish yourself as an expert in your field – and who doesn’t want that?
Finally, don’t forget to use Social Capital Strategies! What is Social Capital Strategies? They’re basically the different ways you can use social media to grow your business. For example, you can use it to create connections with other businesses, connect with influencers in your industry, or even just to get more followers. By using Social Capital Strategies, you’ll be able to reach a larger audience and connect with potential customers and clients in a way that’s beneficial for both of you.
So there you have it! These are some tips on how to build a social media presence for your small business. If you follow these tips, then you’re sure to see results over time. And who knows? You may even end up becoming an online sensation like Scottsdale Urban Farms! :)
Last bit of friendly advice – Get Over Yourself!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://techenabledagent.kw.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottsdaleurbanfarms/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nobsrealestatebroker
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tech-enabledagent/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/RickBorden
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmDiJJmI3cnQLqEglszVlMQ
Image Credits
All original images