My language loving friends will grant me alliteration points for that title.
Let's Grow!
I just recently came to SteemIt, thanks to 
Am I Here To Get Paid?
No. If getting paid were the objective, for me, I'd be spending this time differently (and not on SteemIt). I came here with what I believe is the realistic expectation that when I depart from this platform I will leave with nothing more than the knowledge I entered with, some new knowledge, a few new acquaintances, and a 'lesser hatred' for markdown language 😆.
I'm not here to make money; money is the byproduct. A lovely, lovely byproduct, but it is not my motivation to be a part of SteemIt. I am here almost solely because of a friend that invited me here. It sounded like fun to be a part of something that could revolutionize social media. I'm not on Facebook and haven't been since George W. was in office. SteemIt is one of the few social media outlets that I use. I enjoy it. That's rewarding.
Sure, I could certainly use the extra money - no doubt. BUT... When I need to get paid, I work. This is my free time and it's free to me, so it's free to you. In between my 2 full-time jobs and gardening habit, of course. If SteemIt becomes what it has the potential to become and I am somehow able to generate any sort of real income - I would be happy! I'm just honestly not expecting to make any money, but that's my 2¢. I welcome whatever comes of this journey and just want to enjoy myself.
Appreciate The Hustle
Seriously, I am a Stay At Home Dad of two toddlers. One of the hardest, non-paying jobs in the universe if you ask me. Doesn't pay squat, but I do it every day. I also utilize my skills and have worked for myself for over a decade doing many different types of work. I farm tomatoes in summer and I sold huge tomato plants locally in the spring. I crush box stores and nursery tomato plants around here.
Oh, it's my first year in the tomato business! Last year I pulled 500 lbs of tomatoes from 17 plants. People said that I could start a business growing like that. So I did exactly that. My first year - some have offered partnership in submission already. No bullshit. Lowe's was selling a 2 ft. tall Tomato plant in a 3 gallon pot for $53.99 this year, right near my location. I was selling healthier, larger plants in smaller pots for $12. I made smiles for miles! Proof? My pleasure!
This was a 5 week old plant in a #1/ 1 trade gal. pot with my son showing the scale. By the time we got to week 7, the plant sale, we had people reserving them! They sold themselves. I frequently heard how people could not find good, healthy, vigorous tomato plants many places. I have a list that have reserved plants for 2018 already. Our produce is reserved already for local consumers and we have 2 local markets that want to buy from us.
We need to scale up next year and we look forward to it. I do not need upvotes to satiate my ego, nor pad my pockets - I have established a great customer base and network of gardeners that admire my work for what it is - work done with passion and great determination.
If you can appreciate that and want to chat about growing - we're already on the same page. If you share a photo of your garden, I won't tell you I love it and it looks great if that's not what I think. I'm not here to gain social approval or pennies for my commentary. I do not require society to pat me on the back, I was blessed with two perfectly functional arms to do that myself. So allow me..😂
If you are a gardener and interested in taking your skill set to market - I can help. I will gladly give my input on how to go about starting a produce business with limited capital and your spare time. We have lots to talk about. Let's Grow!
Let's Network
If you enjoy growing tomato plants, let's talk! I love to network with fellow gardeners. Help someone new to gardening find success and together we can grow! [pun intended]
THANK YOU FOR READING
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