Highlights from the Homegrown Gathering
Community Futures Huron is delighted to have been a sponsor at this year’s Homegrown: Bloom in Good Company event, a sold-out day of inspiration, learning, and connection for women in business. Held at the beautiful Grassroots Farm in Lucknow, and hosted by Creative Worth Branding + Design, in partnership with Launch It Business Exploration Centre, the rural setting offered the perfect backdrop for a gathering rooted in authenticity, nourishment, and community.
From the moment guests arrived, the day unfolded with warmth and intention. Attendees were treated to heartfelt conversations, meaningful mentorship, and encouragement from fellow entrepreneurs who generously shared their journeys. The two-panel format featured business owners at various stages of their careers, sparking discussion around the realities of building a business, particularly as women navigating small-town dynamics, family responsibilities, and societal expectations.
The panels covered a range of themes: the importance of setting boundaries, planning not only for growth but for succession, saving early for family goals, and embracing self-care with a long-term mindset. Speakers emphasized that buying local doesn’t have to mean spending more, it’s often better value and strengthens the entire community.
Many attendees were inspired to lean into collaboration, seek support from economic development reps (many of whom are women themselves), and explore new tools like AI, for planning and productivity. The message was clear: you don’t have to do it alone, and your story matters.
There were also powerful reminders not to compare ourselves to others, but to instead share positive experiences, leave a Google review, tag a fellow business online, and amplify the good. As one panelist so aptly put it: “Feel the fear—and do it anyway.”
Homegrown is quickly becoming a standout event for women entrepreneurs in our region, and it’s easy to see why. We’re proud to have been one of several supporters of this memorable day and look forward to attending again next year.
Contact us to find out more about how we can help you navigate challenges and seize new opportunities in business.