Darrell Vesterfelt: Finding Success in a Hidden Niche
Nov 7, 2023
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Darrell Vesterfelt, founder of Homestead Living magazine, shares his transition into the homesteading business and the opportunities it presents. He discusses building a social media following with Hype Fury and the concept of homesteading and self-sufficiency. The success of Homestead Living's transition from digital to print is explored, along with a vision to educate people on self-sustainability and homesteading.
School of Traditional Skills aims to provide valuable content and resources to individuals looking to live a more sustainable and self-reliant lifestyle through a membership-based model.
Homestead Living magazine creates stronger connections within the homesteading community by offering a tangible and authentic experience through a shift from digital to print format.
Deep dives
School of Traditional Skills: A Platform for Self-Sufficiency and Homesteading
School of Traditional Skills aims to be the largest platform in the world for educating people on self-sufficiency and homesteading. The company envisions having 100,000 to 150,000 members who are passionate about developing skills in gardening, preservation, foraging, and more. By serving a specific niche and offering a membership-based model with a library of courses, School of Traditional Skills seeks to provide valuable content and resources to individuals looking to live a more sustainable and self-reliant lifestyle.
Homestead Living: The Power of Print and Authenticity
Homestead Living is a print magazine catered to the homesteading community, offering in-depth articles, advice, and insights. Recognizing that people respond differently to physical products, Homestead Living shifted from a digital subscription to a print product, fulfilling the desire for a tangible and authentic experience. The magazine serves as a platform to connect with readers on a deeper level, leveraging the power of holding a physical publication and creating stronger connections within the homesteading community.
The Value of Authenticity and Personal Experience
Both School of Traditional Skills and Homestead Living prioritize authenticity and personal experience when providing content and resources to their respective audiences. By having co-founders and contributors who have firsthand knowledge and expertise in homesteading, the businesses offer a more genuine and empathetic approach. They understand the needs, challenges, and desires of their community, which sets them apart from competitors who lack the same level of authenticity. The vision is to continue growing and serving the homesteading community with trusted and credible content.
The Power of a Bold Vision
Having a bold vision is a driving force behind the success of School of Traditional Skills and Homestead Living. The goal is to become the largest platform in the world for self-sufficiency and homesteading education. By setting a clear and compelling vision, these businesses attract passionate team members who are willing to go above and beyond to achieve their goals. With a vision of empowering individuals to live more sustainable lives, both companies strive to make a positive impact and improve the way people think about their food and self-sufficiency.
In this podcast episode, Tim Stoddart interviews Darrell Vesterfelt, who shares the story of how he transitioned from running multiple businesses to scaling a homesteading business.
Despite initially leaving behind his rural upbringing, Darrell saw an opportunity in the growing trend of homesteading during COVID-19 and decided to use his skills in e-learning and marketing to create Homestead Living magazine.