On tomorrow’s Ag Business Episode I am featuring a guest who learned a lot of different livestock management practices over the years, and then found herself living in an area with a lot of small farms.  She took all of these skills and turned them into a small business helping these new livestock owners.

One of those skills is hoof trimming, and that reminded me of early interview with Randy Hettinga who has a hoof trimming business in my hometown of Kuna, Idaho.  He serves the dairy industry and took some time to speak with me about how this business works.  I thought it fit great to bring this interview back to you today.

Below are the original show notes.

SHOW NOTES

KEY IDEAS:

ADVICE FROM RANDY HETTINGA:

APPRENTICE: Find an expert, likely out of the area you want to work in, and go to work with them.  Learn how they do what they do.  Learn how to make the business work.

LOVE YOUR WORK: Money isn’t everything.  Don’t choose any business just for the money.  Choose something that you truly enjoy so you don’t burn out later.  The money will eventually come if you are in the right fit.

BEST BUSINESS ADVICE THAT RANDY HETTINGA HAS RECEIVED:

 DON’T DO IT FOR THE MONEY:  The best advice that Randy has received is the same as the advice he gives, you will burn yourself out if you are doing it just for the money.  Find something that you love.

PERSONAL HABIT THAT ADS TO RANDY HETTINGA’S SUCCESS:

 WORK ETHIC: Randy states that he has a “solid work ethic.”  He is willing to work the long hours and to do the job correctly.

BOOK RECOMMENDATION:

 Randy recommended Trump: The Art of the Deal as a book that really inspired him in business.  Ironically, I interviewed Randy on the night of the first Republican Presidential Debate of 2015 when Donald Trump was all over the news.  However, Randy pointed out that regardless of Trump’s position in popular media at the moment, he is a shrewd businessman, and he had some nuggets of expertise in this book.

More Places You Can Listen to Off-Farm Income And Matt Brechwald: