Skip to Content

How to Fake It Until You Make It with Amy France

Have you ever heard the phrase: “Learn how to fake it until you make it?” 

Ever wonder how to become an expert at anything you have no previous experience in? It takes commitment and dedication to your goals. You have to really have that mental picture of where you want to be. Education or experience not required. 

Amy’s story is a perfect example of how anyone can start something without any knowledge and get to the top level. She and I met while serving on the State Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee through Kansas Farm Bureau.

Through this experience, she has been offered a couple of extra opportunities to serve at the National Farm Bureau level as well. It has helped her step out of her comfort zone and overcome her feelings of being unqualified to serve her industry. I hope her story will inspire you to jump into your industry to serve in the best way you can. 

In this episode, we will hear Amy’s secrets to:

  • How to fake it until you make it (and lessons learned along the way).
  • How to become an expert when you don’t know everything.
  • Why you should become a blessing to anyone you meet

 

 Ad

 

How to Fake It Until You Make It

FIRST OF ALL, ABOUT AMY

  • Lived rural all her life but new to farm life
  • Busy Mom of 5 in Western Kansas
  • Wife to Clint for 16 years
  • Raised by 2 music educators
  • Worked in Lending for 11 years 
  • Cow/Calf, Row Crop and Pumpkins

Diversified France Family Farms by Adding Pumpkins

There was a need for pumpkin patches and ornamentals in their area, so they planted one. Surely an exciting addition for their operation and their community. 

And kids are learning about business. How cool is that??

OPPORTUNITIES BEYOND KANSAS FARM BUREAU

As the chair of our State Committee, Amy has earned some opportunities to serve at the National Level. She’s been awarded the privilege to be a part of the PALs (Partners in Advocacy and Leadership). 

This experience gave Amy the opportunity to interact with other farmers and ranchers around the nation. It’s been the best way for Amy to learn how to be an authority in your field.

Amy’s Experience Traveling to Other Places

She’s learned to embrace the differences of people from other places, such as New York City and Washington D.C. She’s enjoyed the conversations with people who live in those areas, such as her Uber Drivers. 

These helped her to realize the importance of face-to-face conversations about agriculture.

HOW TO START THE STEP BY STEP PROCESS TO GET INVOLVED

Start at the County local level and just learn all you can. Meet people and build relationships to find opportunities. 

HERE’S A PIECE OF ADVICE FROM AMY

Know when to say “NO.” Learn to prioritize and be clear and strict about your schedule and life. Discover new ways to bless others while managing your schedule to own your life. 

NEXT, LOW POINTS THROUGH HER JOURNEY

Her low point was leaving her lending job to come to the farm. Basically leaving the comfort and authority she had built up to having to learn a whole new industry all over again. 

The fact that she was new to farm life and she had to lean everything resulted in her feeling stupid and underappreciated for a while. She was the butt of a lot of jokes.

AS A RESULT, SOME LESSONS LEARNED

She learned a LOT, but mostly that it’s ok to ask questions. And that all those learning points where she felt stupid were actually the next step to building up her knowledge. 

THEN, AMY DESCRIBES THE “AHA MOMENT”

When Amy left her bank position, she prayed a lot. It was a hard time for her. She wanted to be in control of the situation but God had something better for her. 

NEXT, WHAT IS ONE THING THAT AMY STRUGGLES WITH?

Scheduling and balancing family and work is difficult. Also, staying up to date with industry issues in agriculture is hard to fit in sometimes. 

** Here are 50+ Good Sources for Agriculture Information **

CONSEQUENTLY, WHAT IS AMY MOST EXCITED ABOUT?

She’s excited about showing her kids what’s out in the world. 

how to fake it until you make it

BEST ADVICE EVER RECEIVED

“Be a Blessing.” We can be a blessing no matter where you are. 

FURTHERMORE, HER BEST PERSONAL HABIT

Devotions and time with God. She loves the First 5 App.

Also, working out when she can helps make her day better. 

FAVORITE APP OR RESOURCE?

  • AwesomeCal – It’s a calendar App for scheduling
  • Notes App 
  • Calendar and Pen

PHYSICAL TOOL

  • Little Shark Vaccum for cleaning up after kids (and Clint) because it’s easy to use. Kids can use it, too!

BEST GO-TO MEAL

RECOMMENDED BOOK

  • Amy recommends the book Emotional Intelligence

Also recommended books:

  • Game of Thrones Series
  • Uninvited

IF AMY WOKE UP TOMORROW AND ACQUIRED A NEW 10 ACRES PLUS $1000

  • A few goats
  • Or investing in a small tractor for the pumpkin operation

IN CONCLUSION, SOME PARTING WORDS OF WISDOM

Every person has a really important story to tell. And there are people out there who do care. Be a blessing to others and you will be blessed. 

And now is the time to get involved, find your voice and look for those opportunities.

FINALLY, CONTACT AMY

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: France Family Farm

Finally, catch all the past episodes of Rural Women Inspired!

RURALITES, HONE YOUR DREAMS, OWN YOUR LIFE AND I’LL SEE YOU DOWN THE ROAD.

~ MUCH LOVE ~

signatureI hope you have found value in this episode to fake it until you make it. Tell me how you have learned how to become an expert when you don’t know everything.


How to Diversify Your Farm with Pumpkins with Amy France

Monday 7th of May 2018

[…] Learn More About Amy in that Episode Here […]

Comments are closed.