b'Begin with the End in MindCharles Michell, CEO of Local Seed Co., shares a motto that has stuck with him throughout his life and what it means to think independently. Seed World: Got a New Year\'srelationships we have built in resolution this year?the ag industry, allows us to Charles Michell: Not Yet. That said,understand and relate to our in the past I have centered my Newcustomers. Years resolution around personal growth, health and fitness likeSW: We last chatted in 2017, most people. I will really focus onwhen Local Seed Co. just that the week after Christmas.beganhow have you grown since then? SW: No. 1 hobby?CM: Wow! Has it been that long? CM: Fitness, and while I prefer aSeriously, much has happened. fitness center, anything that keepsThe last time we spoke, we were me active falls in this category. launching the Local Seed Brand and it was October (not the best SW: Got a motto you like totime of year to launch a seed use while working?business). But to answer your CM: I have a motto that I use inquestion, yes, we have grown my everyday life: Begin with thethe business! We are excited to End in Mind by Stephen Covey. Ihave added 20 new sales reps, attended a class early in my careerstrengthened our position in the and this quote has remained withMid-South and we moved further me throughout.It is really simple:into Ohio and Michigan; more Beginning with the end in mindimportantly we have flipped our is part of the process of personalseed portfolio to the latest traits, leadership, taking control of ournewer genetics. By upgrading our own lives. All things are createdportfolio and creating a consistent twice. We create them first in ourJerry Lee Lewis, Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, moreProduct Life Cycle, combined minds, and then we work to bringrecently Justin Timberlake, all of which were born in,with our LIFT testing protocol, we them into physical existence.lived in or recorded in Memphis over the past century.are now able to compete against Regardless, of whether you are anFew cities could claim anything like such a group ofall products in the marketplace. entrepreneur, a CEO, a softwaremusicians as influential as these, and no other city canWe have great people, great engineer, a brick layer, etc.thisclaim to be the beginning of the Delta Blues. Memphisrelationships and great products; quote is essential and is a way ofis the likewise place to be for top-notch barbecue andhowever we have to demonstrate life for me. homestyle cooking. If you get the chance you canconsistent performance year over enjoy both music and barbecue at the Memphis in Mayyear.Farmers can like you, but SW: What\'s your favoriteFestival where the entire month of May is dedicated tothey need to be able to trust that part about being based inmusic and the Barbeque World Championship. we can consistently bring better Memphis?products to market with excellent CM: The music and the food!SW: What does it mean to be "independent?"results. Anyone can have a one-Visit Memphis and take a walkCM: Honestly it means think independently.hit wonder, only the great seed down Beale Street. You will get aWhether raising our children or running our business,companies can manage to have a glimpse of the historians of music,independent thinking is essential if you want toconsistent product portfolio year to name a few: Robert Johnson,develop your personal skills and self-awareness.over year.SWElvis Presley, the Staple Singers,Both those skills set along with the knowledge and 60/ SEEDWORLD.COMJANUARY 2020'