07/28/2026
I listened to a podcast recently that really put into words something I've felt for years.
When we started our manure spreading business back in 2013, I loved building it. A few years later, when it was time to sell, I realized something about myself. While selling was the right decision at the time, it also taught me that the next business I built wouldn't be something I hoped to flip one day—it would be something I wanted to grow for the rest of my life.
That's exactly what 41 Grains has become.
The podcast with Alex reminded me that there is a difference between building a business to sell and building a business to steward. Neither is wrong, but I realized I've never been driven by the idea of creating something just to cash out. My heart has always been in building one business with deep roots that can continue to grow, serve, and hopefully last for generations.
41 Grains started incredibly small, but it has never been a "let's see if this works" business. From the beginning, it has been built with the long view in mind. Every decision we make is measured against the foundation we want this company to stand on.
Those foundations are simple:
1. Family and community are at the core of everything we do.
2. Integrity comes before profit. People and quality will always matter more than making another dollar.
3. Health and nutrition are a priority—not only for our family, but for everyone we serve. We want to keep learning, teaching, and creating food that truly nourishes people.
4. Keep it simple. The world has made food unnecessarily complicated. We want to create simple solutions, simple ingredients, and restore simple trust in both food and the people who produce it.
This podcast was incredibly encouraging because it reminded me that growth isn't just about getting bigger. It's about building something strong enough to last.
It reminded me that building a business isn't just about growing bigger or making more money. For me, it's about building something that will still matter years from now—something my family can be proud of and something that continues to serve people well.
I don't know what the future holds for 41 Grains, but I do know that every decision we make is with the long term in mind. That's why I enjoyed this podcast so much.
I'd love to hear what you took away from it if you give it a listen.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3nbxuZ7DpiO62RSvsL40jL?si=cfSsIhfKRXCq0AXcq-vTTg
The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett · Episode
