By Heather Lang
There are three girls in my family, each set apart by our personalities. One was loud, outspoken, and brutally honest. The next was the social butterfly, who never wanted anyone to be left out or feel hurt. Then there was the quiet, apparently shy, independent one who was smart as a whip but preferred only a small group to be allowed into her life.
My childhood house was amazing. We had a ginormous backyard and a well-manicured lawn, which meant that most of my childhood was spent outdoors on the swing set trying to swing so high that I could touch the sky, digging in the dirt with my trucks, using the shed to play Ante Over, or riding bike in the middle of the cul-de-sac with neighborhood friends. If it was a wet, cold day, more than likely, I would be in our basement putting together puzzles, roller-skating, or jumping on the trampoline (just don’t ask about the time we put the trampoline in front of the stairs to play a prank on one of the siblings).
Recently, we were each asked what we remember from our childhood. Family gatherings, camping, board games and food were a common memory between the three of us. But you will be sure to also hear about being thrown into a dog kennel or the dryer as your sister was babysitting you, having a fork stuck into their thigh because one of the sisters was not happy while doing dishes, and you will more than likely hear about how one of us slept in a bathtub. The infamous “MOM, MOM, MOM” scream was something you could hear throughout the 4-level house as a defense mechanism to call mom before the other two sisters were even near her. There was one sister who claimed property as her own simply by writing her name on or in it. Because, of course, if her name was on it, then it was clearly hers (insert the eye roll now). Without a doubt, you will hear all about the swooshy pants and how CPR was desperately needed to save the life of one of us or how one of us almost blew up the car and started it on fire.
Even when these stories are shared, they always revolve around being together and circle back to bringing us as close as we are today. I went off to college while the other two were still in middle school. We lived in my childhood house until the day after I graduated high school. The next morning my parents moved to be closer to dad’s work, so he didn’t have to commute as far. My sisters don’t remember much of my childhood house, but I have a slew of memories with them in that house. One sister moved far away after college, and my other sister thankfully moved just down the road from me once she was married.
My sisters and me. Family means so much.
Being a business owner is comparable to relationships in the sense that the path to success is rarely a straight line; it is filled with challenges, setbacks, and learning experiences that shape our personal growth. One of the most compelling aspects of entrepreneurship is the opportunity for creative freedom. As an entrepreneur, I have the unique ability to mold our family’s visions into reality, often starting with nothing more than an idea and a passion for our work. This creative process is deeply fulfilling. Despite the challenges, the rewards of entrepreneurship can be immense. Beyond the potential for financial success, I find a deep sense of fulfillment in building something from the ground up and contributing to the economy and society in meaningful ways. Fostering community development, inspiring others, and adding value to others' lives to pursue their own entrepreneurial dreams are reasons that make it all worth doing.
While the road less traveled may be daunting, it is also paved with opportunities for those who are willing to take the leap, persevere through the hardships, and remain committed. My siblings and I have taken different paths through life, and even though we don’t all live in North Dakota anymore, we have each grown and have our own families. Despite the differences, one thing will always stay the same: family trumps everything.
Follow us on Instagram @ndpiggytales if you want to learn more about our journey through life.
Heather is the former NDFB District 7 Promotion and Education Committee member and is also a former American Farm Bureau Federation P&E member. She currently serves as the president of Burleigh County Farm Bureau. Heather and her husband, Lucas, raise animals and crops on a 5th generation farm near Bismarck.