Brenda Smola-Foti and Frank Foti are co-founders of
The Ground in Willamette Valley, Oregon.
The Ground is a place that almost defies definition – it is a regenerative agriculture farm, but also includes an Inn and Farmhouse where guests can stay, a restaurant, and a farm store. Frank and Brenda host workshops, nature tours, group retreats, guided meditations and a lot more.
The Ground may be different things for different people, but it is tied together by a cohesive set of values that are important to Brenda and Frank, including connection, humility and caring for our planet.
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1:06) – What was Brenda’s upbringing like?
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3:43) – What drove Brenda to go from fashion to farming?
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5:03) – How did Frank find his way into the family business?
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9:34) – What experiences led to Frank joining The Ground?
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11:46) – Why is the theme of connection important to Frank?
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12:30) – What were some of the early issues Brenda and Frank faced while establishing The Ground?
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15:50) – What exactly is The Ground?
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16:45) – How do all the facets of The Ground work together?
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19:26) – How do Brenda and Frank divide and tackle their tasks?
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21:54) – What is Brenda’s “why”?
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22:48) – What is Frank’s “why”?
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24:47) – How are Brenda and Frank thinking about succession?
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What is The Road to Why?
From start-up entrepreneurs to multi-generational family business owners, most founders are driven to succeed for reasons well beyond making money. Whether it’s a passion for reshaping their industry, building a family legacy or advancing the causes they care most about — or, in many cases, all of the above — exploring the larger “why” of their life’s work offers insights into how successful leaders operate and what is really important to them.
On The Road to Why, host Eric Czepyha, Director of Business Services at Northern Trust, speaks with business owners, entrepreneurs and visionaries about business, family, wealth and legacy and shares advice and life lessons from those who have found success in ways expected and unexpected.