Out of the Head, Into the Hands: Finding Stillness at Topsl Farm

About Topsl Farm 83-acre woodland farm and retreat in Waldoboro, Maine Originally established in 1936 as a working farm and family sanctuary Now hosts retreats, weddings, culinary experiences, and glamping stays Built around intentional experiences, nature, and connection Sarah’s Journey Grew up on a farm in rural Maine, initially resisted that lifestyle Built a career in marketing and entrepreneurship, including a national food brand Felt a deep pull back to Maine and hands-on living Purchased Topsl Farm in 2016 with no formal business plan—just intuition Key Themes from the Conversation From Hustle to Stillness Transitioning from startup culture and constant motion Learning that rest is not a reward—it’s a requirement Out of the Head, Into the Hands The power of physical work: farming, cooking, creating Reconnecting through tangible experiences 3. Building Without a Blueprint Trusting intuition over strategy in the early days Letting the business evolve organically 4. The Power of Experience Design Creating spaces where people feel immediate calm Prioritizing how people *feel*, not just what they do 5. Culture Over Everything Building a team rooted in care, communication, and shared intention Nurturing internal culture as much as guest experience 6. The Next Chapter Reconnecting with the land and original mission Expanding into more hands-on, homesteading-inspired experiences Slowing down personally to create more meaningful work Memorable Takeaways “Sometimes the richest work comes from giving yourself room to breathe.” "It’s not about how many people show up—it’s how they feel when they leave.” “Wherever you go, there you are… unless you choose to change it.” If you enjoyed this Makers of the USA episode, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Facebook. Please check out Makers of the USA's YouTube channel, Facebook and Instagram. Thank you all and stay safe and healthy.