Building a Values-Driven Financial Legacy through Sustainable Food Systems

Business Legacy

Ever wondered how to build a financial model that not only supports sustainable agriculture but also stands resilient during market upheavals? Dan Miller, the visionary founder and CEO of Steward, shares his remarkable journey from co-founding Fundrise to pioneering a platform that empowers farmers with human-centric and flexible financing solutions. Tune in as he delves into the intricacies of Steward's alternative credit model, which has shown exceptional resilience even amid industry shakeups like the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank.

This episode reveals the transformative power of regenerative agriculture and distributed food systems in a post-pandemic world. Through compelling stories, including the rise of a vertically integrated meat company, Dan illustrates how Steward identifies and nurtures impactful projects. He also candidly discusses the evolution of his decision-making skills and the essential role that trusting one's instincts plays in leadership. As a remote-first company, Steward emphasizes flexibility and personal fulfillment, creating an environment where team members can seamlessly blend their passions with their work. Don't miss this insightful conversation on building a values-driven financial legacy and supporting the future of sustainable food systems.

Timestamps 00:00:00 - Introduction and Welcome to Business Legacy Podcast 00:00:37 - Introduction to Dan Miller, Founder and CEO of Steward 00:01:15 - Dan Miller's Background and Journey from Fundrise to Steward 00:02:20 - The Concept and Operation of Steward: Online Capital Raising for Sustainable Food Systems 00:03:45 - Impact of Interest Rate Changes and Resilience During Market Freezes, including the Silicon Valley Bank Collapse 00:05:00 - Identifying and Supporting Worthy Projects: Example of a Vertically Integrated Meat Company 00:08:00 - Building a Unique Credit Model for Alternative Agriculture and Regional Food Systems 00:09:45 - Initial Challenges and Evolution of Decision-Making in Financing Non-Traditional Agricultural Enterprises 00:11:15 - Surge in Recognition of Regenerative Agriculture Post-Pandemic 00:12:00 - Trusting Instincts and Lessons Learned from Various Business Ventures 00:13:00 - Steward's Remote-First Company Model: Flexibility and Personal Fulfillment 00:14:30 - Supporting Undervalued Businesses with Human and Flexible Financing Solutions 00:16:00 - Insights on Sustaining Regional Food Systems 00:17:00 - Significance of a Human-Centric Approach to Finance 00:18:30 - Surprises and Positive Developments in Sustainable Agriculture and Steward's Impact 00:20:00 - The Importance of Values and Culture in Steward's Operations 00:21:30 - Building Legacy Through Sustainable and Regenerative Agriculture 00:22:30 - Future Projects and Expansion Plans for Steward 00:23:30 - How Listeners Can Get Involved with Steward 00:24:00 - Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts from Dan Miller 00:25:00 - Conclusion and Where to Find More Information About Steward

Visit the website https://gosteward.com/ to find out what Dan and Steward are up to.

Legacy Podcast: For more information about the Legacy Podcast and its co-hosts, visit businesslegacypodcast.com.

For more information: Visit businesslegacypodcast.com to access the shownotes and additional resources on the episode.