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About
    About
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Consulting + Project Management
    Organizational Management + Evaluation
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Stories from the Field
    Food + Farming
    Life + Love
    Health + Wellness
  • Home
  • About
    • About
    • Publications and Projects
    • Accolades
  • Consulting + Project Management
    • Organizational Management + Evaluation
    • Facilitation + Meeting Support
    • Food + Farming Projects
  • Public Speaking
  • Photography
  • Stories from the Field
    • Food + Farming
    • Life + Love
    • Health + Wellness
Wit Meets Grit - Rolling up our sleeves and having fun.
Food & Farming, Health & Wellness, Life & Love

Giant leaps and tiny moments.

Whoa. Just whoa. It has been a little over a month since I took the giant leap that was leaving my job of five years to start my own company. Despite giving myself three months to prepare for this incredible life shift, I am still getting my head around such a dramatic change. It probably has something to do with the fact that my husband and I also bought a house and moved the last week of my job, but hey, I wanted to go big AND go home. Although I love to be in control, I am also not one to shy away from change. After talking with so many of my incredible friends and mentors, I knew that I had what it takes to go out on my own. The idea of such a big new adventure called to me like a siren of wanderlust so many of us temper.

Compared to most people, many of my jobs have given me incredible opportunities to indulge in unique and interesting experiences on a regular basis. But the position you are in when you start with an organization and the one you find yourself in years later are often in stark contrast. I repeatedly found myself getting to the top of the ladder at organizations, looking down at the trenches, and missing the feeling of the soil between my toes. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good spreadsheet and creative writing is a passion, but my spirit is replenished in moments of real connection. Working with other industrious people, solving complex problems, building things, overcoming challenges, sharing ideas, and traveling to new places. All of this brings me to the present, which has been a hilariously fast crash course on life on the other side of the fence where people work for themselves.

As someone who has worked with hundreds of small business owners, I knew the grass would not be greener, but damn I did not realize how much I would still have to mow the lawn. 

I was prepared for hard work and the initial adjustment that comes with growing anything new but I somehow imagined it would still involve more yoga and naps. Needless to say, I don’t even know where my yoga mat is- probably somewhere in a box I have yet to unpack. I also have not even gotten around to ordering business cards, attending networking events, or posting on my blog (as evident here). Let me assure you, these are good signs because it means that I am busy. Despite many people assuming if my husband was “supporting me during my time-off” I can assure you that a.) I am not on vacation and b.) we are still very much a two income household. Thankfully, I have several clients that were excited to bring me onto their team. In the last few weeks, I have conducted program evaluations, written grants, helped create marketing materials, and provided general program support. I am already learning from mistakes that come with starting a new business but it feels good to know that these are lessons that will allow to me grow with confidence as a business owner. Outside of consulting, I have also had the pleasure of working with my talented friends to help as a second shooter at a wedding and with a garden installation. In coming months I will also be freelance writing and guest speaking at conferences. The work is interesting, challenging, and dynamic and I was able to decide what projects I said yes to and when I chose to tackle them.

Perhaps most importantly, my time is my own.

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 In between work tasks I dig around in my garden barefoot, roll around with the dogs, take nature pictures, cook meals, and spend as many moments as possible with my fantastic husband. I work when I know I will be at my best and take time for rejuvenation when I am not. I may not be doing yoga every morning and making my lotion from scratch but I already feel an incredible sense of liberation from this transition. While I love my clients… their missions, budgets, programs, and employees can stay safely tucked away when my computer is shut down. I am learning how to slow down.

As it has been for the last ten years, my life will no longer be built around my job but instead my job will be built around my life.

My head and heart are open and ready for new ideas, direction, and opportunity. The next few months are a wonderful blend of contract work and visits with loved ones. I hope to schedule enough clients in 2017 to continue this journey on my own. But even if working for myself does not work out, I know that in the best possible way, this change in perspective cannot be undone. Sometimes it takes the visceral experience of looking into the unknown and taking a leap to really make a permanent change in our lives. The beautiful part of this process is that I know I am not alone and for that, I am most thankful.

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August 10, 2016by Nikki Seibert Kelley
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A little nature therapy and floral pallette cleans A little nature therapy and floral pallette cleanser to bring some positivity back to social media.
The sweetest harbinger of winter. This year our sa The sweetest harbinger of winter. This year our satsuma overflowed with enough fruit that we were able to harvest 15 pounds to send to our friends at @growfoodcarolina (even after Wren bit into about 6 oranges before I could catch her). It was fun being back on the farmer side of things, if only for one sale.
Feeling gratitude for another turn around the sun, Feeling gratitude for another turn around the sun, although admittedly the last two years have probably aged me at least ten. Pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, and parenthood have all broken and reshaped me in ways I am still coming to terms with.  To say the experience has been humbling and life changing is an understatement. It has been an incredible dichotomy of being pushed outside of myself while forced to look deep within simultaneously. I've spent the majority of my life focused on growing professionally and often ran out of time to nurture my spirit. My daughter has been a gift in so many ways, the most surprising one....her influence in helping me to take care of myself so I can better take care of others. Cheers to personal growth and self discovery no matter how uncomfortable and disorienting in can be...and to the family and friends who have helped support me while I figure it all out. Most of all, thank you to my amazing mother who brought me into this world 38 years ago and taught me what unconditional love looks like.
🌞 Happy Spring 🌞 🌞 Happy Spring 🌞
Happy Floral Friday! Thankful for farmer friends l Happy Floral Friday! Thankful for farmer friends like @feastandflora for bringing flowers into my life while my garden takes a little baby break.
Hurrication vibes. Grateful for a safe sanctuary i Hurrication vibes. Grateful for a safe sanctuary in the storm, especially now that we have our little bird. Road tripping with a 3 month old, two dogs, and a cat is not easy but somehow we made it to Greenville and back. Our nest in Charleston made it through the storm just fine (minus a few plants). My heart goes out to those who didn't fare as well, especially all of those on the islands 💓.
When a flower captures your mood perfectly. These When a flower captures your mood perfectly. These first few months of motherhood are channeling the wild and chaotic energy of the Passiflora. There is nothing like having a tiny human to put things into perspective and force you to use every minute wisely. Currently sleep is top of the list (something passion flower can help with).
Orange you glad it's almost the weekend? Orange you glad it's almost the weekend?
May Day...Beltane...Floralia. Today marks the half May Day...Beltane...Floralia. Today marks the halfway point between the spring equinox and the summer solstice. While I may not dancing around a bonfire, I quietly celebrated the seasonal change today listening to the birds and tree frogs, admiring the flowers in the garden and feeling my darling little baby kick.
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At 35 weeks along, we've been trying hard to prepare the nest for our little bird. Work has kept me incredibly busy, so the time is slipping away too quickly and I'm almost surprised to find myself so pregnant. .
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Soon I will be celebrating a new season in  my life and one of the greatest adventures yet. Thankful to have @danfield42 by my side and incredible group of family and friends supporting us.
Yes, I'm growing more than a garden and no there i Yes, I'm growing more than a garden and no there is not a watermelon under there 😉. We are expecting a baby girl the first week in June and I'm getting excited-terrified-overwhelmed for this next grand adventure. .
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The last several months have been challenging both physically and mentally, making me so thankful for the support of family and friends.
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This is only the beginning of the journey with my darling @danfield42 and our little bird. Shout out to everyone who has showered us with love and positivity!
Spring is in the air! With a little one on the way Spring is in the air! With a little one on the way, my ability to handle the pollen or dig in the garden has been limited but it won't stop me from a good nature stroll and flower forage.
Farm Feature Friday. While my work centers around Farm Feature Friday. While my work centers around food systems, I often find myself further from the field and more on the organizational development and operations side of things. When I have the opportunity to visit farmer friends, yes even in winter, I jump on the chance to get outside and revisit farm life.

Today I had the pleasure of squeezing in a very quick visit to @wildhopefarm while in Chester, SC. Wow, what a slice of farm paradise!! Caught up with my friend Shawn Jadrnicek and met Katherine "Peanut" Belk, who together shared the plans for their new wash pack line and loading dock. This beautiful diversified fruit & veggie operation focuses on a CSA farm share (including Charlotte, NC) and one farmers market but they also host dinners, wellness retreats, and birding walks. Definitely a place to revisit when there is more time! 
Last month I caught up with Laura Mewbourn at her farm @feastandflora in Meggett, SC while interviewing her for an article. Her flowers have been featured in all kinds of amazing bridal floral images and her efforts with @lowcountryflowergrowers have really paid off. It is incredible to see how much she has in production and awesome to see her employing other new young women in farming.

Check out their great IG feeds and give them some love 🌱💓
Building community in the food system...one confer Building community in the food system...one conference, one meeting, one meal, one person at a time. @southernsawg #ssawg2019 bringing together so many inspirational people.
SC --> GA --> AL --> MS --> TN --> AR road trip to SC --> GA --> AL --> MS --> TN --> AR road trip to the @southernsawg #ssawg2019 conference with a pit stop in Birmingham to check out @jonesvalleyteachingfarm
Bald Head Island was hands down the coldest beachc Bald Head Island was hands down the coldest beachcombing of my life but well worth it to see dolphins putting on a show while we explored the odd variety of flotsam and jetsam. Throughout our  treasure hunt we reminisced about the years living on a sailboat when so many of the islands were still wild and everything was an adventure.
The government (and most of Washington DC) may be The government (and most of Washington DC) may be shut down but thankfully the @usbotanicgarden is still open. Their conservatory is home to awesome plants like this cleistocactus winteri and its noodley appendages.
A new year unfolds full of hope and potential. A new year unfolds full of hope and potential.
Baby Kelley...coming to Charleston in June! The do Baby Kelley...coming to Charleston in June! The doggos have mixed feelings about a new sister...the cat refused to get in the picture. @danfield42 and I are so excited to grow our little family 😊
This one goes out to all the plants I accidentally This one goes out to all the plants I accidentally forgot to bring inside or didn't cover in time.
Not even freezing temps could keep me away from a Not even freezing temps could keep me away from a beach sunrise. Beautiful start to another great day at the @buildwealthsc #opportunitysc conference.
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