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.”

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