Meet the Mentors - Meet Lynice Holmstrom
Get to meet the mentors that work with Saskatchewan Women in Ag to help support those in the industry!
This episode is with Lynice Holmstrom.
What is the BEST mistake you have ever made in your career?
The best mistake I ever made in my career was making the decision to join the workforce right out of high school. At the time, I thought I was making a mistake in not following the typical path and missing out on the common college experience. Looking back, I realize it was an opportunity I would have missed had I decided to follow the typical formal education pathway. I was able to gain real world experience, a strong work ethic and build a network of similar minded individuals in the agriculture field. This taught me that success doesn’t always follow the standard practices and sometimes the “mistakes” lead to the most outstanding paths.
2. What have been your biggest “ah-ha” or learning moments throughout your career?
One of my biggest learning moments in my career came through the building of new relationships. I had an “ah-ha” moment when I realized that building relationships is learning. Other people can teach us so much if we take the time to listen and learn from their experiences. I have learned the importance of serving, listening, and setting boundaries to create trust and fulfill business relationships. In return, my professional relationships have allowed me to become successful in my role and to buy grain!
3. What external organizations have you been involved with that helped build success for you?
There are many different organizations that I have been involved in that have shaped my success in my career. 4-H has been a huge influence on my success today. I was highly involved in a variety of agriculture-based projects that taught me how to communicate effectively and make decisions under pressure. The leadership roles and recordkeeping involved have sharpened my skills and allowed me to thrive in the world of grain marketing. Most importantly, it instilled respect for the agriculture industry and helped shape who I am today.
4. What is your main tool in managing life while cultivating your career?
The main tool in managing life while cultivating my career is leaning on the support of those around me. Whether it’s family, friends, mentors or colleagues. Having a reliable support system helps me stay grounded, gain perspective and navigate challenges with resilience. Nobody is to walk through life alone and I’ve learned that asking for help, sharing both wins and struggles and staying connected makes the journey more sustainable, and a lot more meaningful!
5. Do you have any advice or words of wisdom you would like to offer Saskatchewan Women in Ag members? Consider: some members are just entering the workforce, others have been working for 5 years and there are also those who are 10+ years into their careers.
Know your worth:
Don’t let anyone (or yourself) underestimate you. Your knowledge, intuition and hard work are an asset. Advocate for yourself, your ideas and your contributions.
Lead with confidence:
Don’t wait! Jump into opportunities, leadership roles and operations. Agriculture is thriving with diverse voices and perspectives.
Build your community:
Connect with other women in the ag industry. Mentorship, collaboration and shared experiences create a support system!
6. Do you have any recommendations for books or podcast episodes you feel would be beneficial for our members?
I listen to many different podcasts and books but some of my favourites recently are…
The let them Theory – Mel Robbins (Book/Podcast)
Whoa that’s good – Sadie Robertson Huff (Book/Podcast)
Live in love – Lauren Atkins (Podcast)