What Happened When I Slid into a Homesteader’s DMs (Professionally)
Sometimes business development looks like a polished pitch deck.
You know… one of those sleek presentations with charts, projections, big words, and just enough confidence to make everyone nod like they totally understand what “scalable synergy” means.
(For the record, a pitch deck is basically a dressed-up slideshow that says, “trust us, we know what we’re doing.”)
Tippy, The Chicken
Hot Mess Homesteader Savannah!
And sometimes… it looks like me casually scrolling social media, fully invested in a homesteading account while having zero intentions of homesteading. None. Not a single chicken in sight. (We’re not counting Tippy the Chicken. Tippy was a phase.)
I had been following Hot Mess Homestead just because I loved her content. No strategy. No “lead generation funnel.” Just love.
Then she organized a holiday gift drive for a domestic violence shelter… and it took off in the most incredible way. She lives her faith and she has such a great big heart for her family, her animals and her community!
This Holiday drive had “faith in humanity unlocked” levels of support. After that, she mentioned starting a nonprofit. And I had one of those moments where your brain goes, “Yo, Tornado, this is literally your entire personality. Say something.”
So, I did. By the way, this girl has over 1 million followers on Facebook and TikTok!
She responded. I pretended to be chill. Reader, I was not chill. I was “fangirling” (is that still a hip term?)
Fast forward, and now here we are:
• Nonprofit status secured in record time
• Website built
• Brand direction developed
• Multiple giving projects launched
Her Easter Project? Cleared. Every item. Gone. Purchased. Done. Which honestly still gives me goosebumps.
And now she’s leading The Summer Project, supporting teen girls in foster care through Hope Haven of East Texas.
We’re talking essentials, fun summer extras, and yes… the trendy insulated water bottles. The ones that don’t seem like a big deal until you realize they’re the difference between feeling left out and feeling like you belong.
Because this work is not about just “stuff”. It’s about dignity. Confidence. Being seen.
Also, for the record, I did not have “random fangirl moment turns into meaningful cross-state nonprofit partnership” on my business bingo card… but I’m not mad about it.
Social media gets blamed for a lot. But this right here? This is the good side.
Connection. Action. Real impact.
Moral of the story:
Be a fan. Say the thing. Send the message.
Worst case, you get ignored.
Best case… you help build something that actually matters.
And that’s a pretty solid return on a scroll.