008. Bloom Where You’re Planted with Suzanne White
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This week’s Small Business Big Heart interview was (not surprisingly) exactly what I needed! I am thrilled to introduce you to my friend and client, Suzanne White! Suzanne is the owner of White Chateau, an incredible wedding venue on her family-owned farm in Owensboro, Kentucky. Today we chat about how she went from being a math teacher to a full-fledged entrepreneur in just a few short years. Suzanne shares the heart behind her beautiful venue and how sometimes the next big idea is hidden within the relationships surrounding you.
We talk about how showing up for people and loving well is the secret sauce to a successful business. She shares her journey to discovering that deep values and a meaningful “why” will save you from business burn out. We also talk about the importance of community and why surrounding yourself with people who are also growing keeps you encouraged and supported along the way.
I loved this chat with Suzanne and while I’ve shared her beautifully branded space many times on our website and socials, the heart behind that venue is truly what shines! This interview encouraged me to dream a bit bigger and love a lot harder, and I can’t wait to hear how it shifts your mindset as well!
Meet Suzanne.
Suzanne White is the founder of the beautiful venue, White Chateau at Cecil Farms. White Chateau is an exclusive wedding venue house on Cecil Farms, a working family farm specializing in producing some of Kentucky’s highest-quality fruits and vegetables, providing delicious and nutritious food for major grocery chains, local farmers markets, and family food co-ops.
White Chateau at Cecil Farms is an expansion of the farm, established by Suzanne and her husband, Mack, as a way to bring the beauty of the outside world, not just to your table, but to the wedding of your dreams. From former math teacher to professional entrepreneur, Suzanne is making waves in the event industry with unique events, creative designs, and a heart for community.
“If you’re rooted in something other than generating money, you’re going to flourish through any and all when you know your purpose.”
The heart behind her business.
More so than anything throughout this episode, we hear Suzanne’s heart for connecting people. It’s what sparked the big ideas behind White Chateau and it’s what led her into the event business. Because of her deep roots in the family farm, Suzanne understood the power of community and how even a simple meal can impact positive change.
The heart behind White Chateau is to bring the beauty of the outside world into dreamlike weddings, and boy does it deliver! From the moment you walk into the space, you feel that sense of belonging and joy that Suzanne exudes. Her “why” is fully centered around connection and it comes through in every aspect of the farm to table to event experience.
Dry fields don’t grow.
When it comes to business success, you’ve got to start prioritizing your own mental health and physical well-being, says Suzanne. When she started her business, she ran on all cylinders like many of us do. She hustled hard, did the late nights and early mornings. But after years of this endless cycle, she’s realized that you can operate out of depletion.
“While those years of hustle did build me, you have to know when to stop,” she says. Setting boundaries and allowing yourself to delegate or let go of certain aspects of your business makes room for others to flourish. It’s a go-giver mentality! Transforming your mindset and learning to trust others is a process. Allowing others into your dream can be terrifying, but it saves you BIG in the long run and allows you the time and breath to really grow.
Your purpose is people.
“I realized that people needed love and confidence and I can give that right here at my home on my farm. You can bloom where you’re planted.” Sometimes we lose sight of what’s right in front of us. We look toward a big goal or dream, fighting tooth and nail to discover our purpose. Suzanne’s advice? Look at the relationships around you. Look at your community. See the need and fill it with your own personal giftings. That will direct you toward what you’re truly meant to do or be.
Learning to really love people and investing your time into helping others thrive will shift your business entirely. And when you get down the heart of entrepreneurship, it’s all about nurturing and growing relationships. So start where you are and see what blooms!
Best Advice to your younger self.
Keep going and work on controlling your mindset. Surround yourself with people who support you and get your dream and vision! You will face mean people or things that don’t make sense along the way. Just press on and know who you are and what you stand for. A quote I love that’s really encouraged me throughout this process is by Roy Disney. He says, “It’s not hard to make decisions once you know what your values are.”
“Take care of others and your needs will be met as well.”
Connect with Suzanne.
So how does Suzanne take care of herself while also nurturing her team and her dream? How does she find fulfillment in her business? I know you’re going to love her heart and get so much out of this conversation! Press play to listen to the full interview and hear more about blooming where you’re planted with Suzanne White!
Connect and check out the links mentioned in the episode below!
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