Hannah Klitz, a remarkable Nebraska producer and entrepreneur, has carved a unique path in the agricultural industry. With her direct marketing and shipping of farm beef to consumers and a local retail store, she has not only built a successful business but also monetized her extensive knowledge through an online course.

Discover How Hannah Klitz Transformed Her Farm into a Thriving Business

Early Life and Agricultural Roots

Growing up in an urban area of Colorado with a passion for show cattle, Hannah's life took a significant turn at the age of 13 when her family moved to Nebraska. Here, she expanded their cow herd and fell in love with production agriculture and the cattle industry. This led her to major in animal science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and minor in the Nebraska beef industry scholars and the Engler entrepreneurship program. Her decision to advocate for the beef industry and share her farm story was a crucial step in her entrepreneurial journey.

It's a challenging yet rewarding path as she had to acquire a vast knowledge of various aspects, including understanding different viewpoints and staying updated with research. This prepared her for the future challenges and opportunities that lay ahead.

The Internship Experience

During her college years, Hannah was involved in the Engler Entrepreneurship Program and had a mentor who encouraged her to explore beyond her comfort zone. Through a friend's discovery of Five Marys Farms in Northern California, she realized her dream business. Despite not offering internships, Hannah took the initiative and wrote a physical letter, which led to her being accepted for a summer internship. This experience was a turning point, teaching her essential skills like shipping beef and exposed her to different ways of running a farm-to-table business.

It demonstrated the power of taking risks and not being afraid to ask. Even if the answer is no, the attempt can lead to valuable opportunities and growth.

Business Expansion and Challenges

Hannah started her business as a sophomore in college in 2018. Initially working closely with her family farm, she later moved to her husband's hometown of West Point, Nebraska. They converted various barns into beef rooms and expanded their operations. However, the pandemic brought its own set of challenges, especially in getting butcher appointments. With four different butchers at one point, dealing with packaging and cutting differences was a logistical nightmare. But the increased demand during this time filled their freezers, and they saw a significant growth in subscribers from seven to 97.

It was a learning experience that forced them to improve processes and adapt to the changing circumstances.

The Marketing Aspect

Marketing and promoting the product is a crucial part of Hannah's business. She realized early on that finding customers was the hardest part. So, she started listening to digital marketing experts through audio books and podcasts to enhance her skills. Although an animal science major with no formal marketing education, she became well-versed in marketing by learning from experts.

Her marketing efforts not only helped increase sales but also led to the creation of valuable offerings like the farm-to-table meat sales course, which provides a comprehensive guide to various aspects of the business.

The Online Course - A Wealth of Knowledge

During the pandemic, with many people reaching out for help, Hannah saw an opportunity to create a comprehensive online course. She based the curriculum on the questions she had been receiving over the years. The course covers everything from meeting new customers and email lists to meat inspection laws and shipping options. It's a detailed resource that answers almost all the questions a potential entrant in the business might have.

By sharing her knowledge, she is paying it forward and helping others in the industry while growing her business.

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Hannah emphasizes that the hardest step is getting started. Whether it's marketing one head of beef or expanding the business, taking those initial steps like booking butcher appointments and creating a Facebook page is crucial. Everyone has to start somewhere, and learning happens as one progresses.

Her story serves as an inspiration for those who are passionate about raising cattle and working with people and want to venture into the business world.