To celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD), I’m featuring fellow female business owners each week this month, including one on Monday 3/8/21 (day of IWD). This day has a lasting history for me ever since I was a little girl in Russia, that’s why I want to make it extra special and honor the powerful women that I have come know, love and work with. Without further adieu, I’d like to introduce to you, Sasha of FarmLot59! I hosted an IG Live session interviewing Sasha about her business and had her share her empowerment message to aspiring and fellow female entrepreneurs. Read all about it below!
Briefly introduce yourself
I'm Sasha Kanno. Founder and Farmer at Farm Lot 59, an Urban farm in Long Beach, California.
How were you introduced to Inessa Nichols Design?
That's a really good question. I don't really remember exactly how we started working together. I think she approached me about buying local flowers and we've been working together ever since. I think it's going on 3 years now.
How did you start your business?
This is such a big question. I started FL59 in 2010 with the help of our amazing Lb community. There was no real farm happening in the city and I thought we needed one. I have a long term lease with the city of LB and over the years we have done so many different things to serve the community. After 10 years I think we have finally hit our stride but still have so much work we can do. That's the super short answer.
What drives your business, why do you love what you do?
We operate FL59 as a non-profit and love to be a community farm. We grow produce for the local food bank and speciality blooms for our amazing designers like Inessa. To have a farm in the city as diverse as LB is such an honor.
What is your women empowerment message to fellow and aspiring female entrepreneurs?
I'd like to say that it's not easy. People will tell you that you won't be successful, that your business model won't make enough money to live on. That they just don't understand what you are trying to do. I love a business plan but also be ready to adapt on the fly. Stick with your overall vision and perseverance will make you successful.
If you choose to have kids and bring them to work with you, be prepared for all the judgement. You're doing it wrong, you're doing it right, you're watching your kid so can you watch my kid? I raised my son on my farm and I can't tell you how many people thought I was down and out because I had him with me. For me, it was a choice to start my farm so I could have him with me and not in daycare or with a nanny. My best decision was to raise my son on a farm in the city. He's turned out to be an amazing human. But be ready for all sides of that conversation.
It's stressful to be a small business owner. You're always working, so find something you can do that’s phone free a few times a week. Swimming or yoga. Make sure you take a break every once in a while.
Mostly I'd like to say that you are a grown-ass woman and you can do whatever you want. Go get it.
