Kimberly Ferris Holmes

I attribute my success to the formative years I spent growing up on a cattle and grain farm in rural Indiana. There, the rhythms of hard work and creativity were woven into everyday life. Long before anyone labeled me an “artist” or an “agricultural entrepreneur,” I was a 4-H kid judging livestock, hauling feed, and sketching cattle in the margins of my notebooks. Those early experiences laid the foundation for both the career and the creative life I continue to build today.

This past year has presented its share of challenges. After being laid off over the summer, I faced the uncertainty of life without a traditional job for the first time in years. In response, I leaned even more deeply into the two constants that have always sustained me: my cattle and my art.

I continue to raise cattle—what began as a 4-H project for my son evolved into a lifelong passion. At the same time, I’ve nurtured my creative endeavor, The Brindle Cowgirl, a small but meaningful art business. Through my Etsy shop and personal website, I showcase my work and connect with buyers drawn to agricultural and rural-themed art. Most of my commissions reflect what I know best: cattle, rural landscapes, and the working dogs that make farm life possible. While I’ve explored fluid art and other mediums, it’s the authenticity of ranch life that breathes truth into everything I create.

It is important to embrace risks, look at mistakes as an opportunity for growth, define your own success, and continuously develop your skills while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Also a quote by Jay Danzie; “your smile is your logo, your personality is your business card, how you leave others feeling is your trademark”.

My advice to young women entering this industry is simple: don’t be afraid to build your life around more than one passion. Sometimes the work you do on the side becomes the very thing that sustains you when your “real job” changes or disappears. Cultivating multiple revenue streams isn’t just smart—it’s liberating.

Let every talent you have earn its own keep. Exploring diverse interests makes you more well-rounded, resilient, and adaptable. No matter your age, if you feel called to pursue a passion or talent, embrace it. Following what inspires you not only enriches your career but also strengthens the person you become along the way.

One of the biggest challenges for me as a cattle producer is that raising and marketing livestock is traditionally a male-dominated environment. Being a woman in this space is rare, but it also gives me the opportunity to inspire others and show that passion and skill know no gender. With my art business, the biggest challenges so far has been getting my name and work in front of people both in my network and beyond. Coming up with ways to cast a wider net so to speak, in order to reach more potential clients without spending a lot on advertising has been a key focus. Transitioning from a traditional job to entrepreneurial ventures has required faith, adaptability and resilience; but it’s also opened doors to creative freedom, multiple revenue streams, and the chance to build a career that truly reflects my passions.

The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are hard work, dedication, adaptability, and service. My journey—from growing up on a farm in Indiana, to participating in livestock judging at NEO A&M and Oklahoma State—helped me develop skills I still rely on daily: public speaking, quick evaluation, working within a team, and confident decision-making. Reflecting on experiences like serving as the Indiana FFA Sweetheart in 1989 reminds me how deeply agriculture, leadership, and service have shaped my identity. I also value perseverance and dedication, which have guided my professional path. With extensive experience in sales—including nine years at Monster.com and eight years at Tenstreet LLC—I have learned to navigate challenges and seize opportunities with focus and determination taking a solution based approach to align customers with services that best fit their needs and problems they are trying to solve. On a personal level, I am proud to be a single mother who has been able to successfully purchase a home and support my son through my career endeavors, demonstrating that resilience and hard work make meaningful achievements possible. Setting goals for yourself, keeping your eye on the prize, and not giving up on your dreams when things are challenging are attributes that I hope to have instilled in him as well as others around me.