Moments of Opportunity | Marcus Wiebe | TEDxMorden

TL;DR

A vegetable farmer's pivot to cider production showcases the importance of taking risks and embracing unexpected opportunities.

Transcript

so seven years ago I was the owner operator of a vegetable farm right here in Winkler morn are we grew a variety of vegetables ranging from peas and beans to Sweet Corn for the mor corn and Apple Festival we also had just teamed up with a new company out of Portage to do some uh organic pumpkin puree so we did about two or three acres that year and... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥺 Taking risks and embracing unexpected opportunities can lead to remarkable success in entrepreneurship.
• 🤗 Setbacks and failures can often open doors to new and unforeseen ventures.
• 👨‍💼 Being willing to adapt and pivot is crucial for long-term business sustainability.
• 🖐️ Luck plays a significant role in entrepreneurial journeys, but being prepared and ready to seize opportunities is equally important.
• 🤪 Saving resources, such as apples, from going to waste can create new markets and add value to a business.
• 💪 Building a strong network and seeking guidance from mentors can contribute to entrepreneurial success.
• 🪛 Passion for a product or industry can drive continuous learning and improvement.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did the farmer's venture into growing pumpkins turn out?

Despite investing in equipment and building a production facility, the farmer faced disappointment when the pumpkin purchaser went bankrupt, leaving them unpaid.

Q: How did the farmer transition from growing vegetables to starting a juice company?

After the pumpkin setback, a fellow vegetable farmer offered to sell them an apple press. Recognizing a gap in the market, they decided to start Wally Juice Company, processing apples into juice for retail customers and bulk cider for breweries.

Q: How did the farmer's initial success with a bulk cider order turn into a learning experience?

After securing a bulk cider order, the customer suddenly canceled, leaving the farmer in a challenging situation. However, this setback led them to reach out to other breweries and cideries, eventually finding an opportunity to start their own cidery.

Q: What has the farmer's journey taught them about failure and luck?

The farmer views their failed pumpkin business as a stroke of luck as it pushed them towards their successful cidery venture. They emphasize the importance of being open to new opportunities and getting lucky breaks in entrepreneurship.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The farmer initially grew vegetables, including pumpkins, but faced setbacks when a company went bankrupt and didn't pay for the pumpkins.

• To save their farm, they decided to buy an apple press and start a juice company, eventually transitioning to a full-fledged cidery with the help of a cider maker.

• The cidery now processes 60,000 liters of cider annually, saves apples from going to waste, and has received international recognition.