What Five Generations on the Water Taught Me About Business and Life
Fishing isn't something I chose — it chose me. My family has been pulling wild salmon from Alaskan waters for five generations, with roots that stretch all the way back to Norway before my grandfather made his way to the United States. Growing up, the ocean wasn't just our backyard; it was our classroom, our livelihood, and our way of life.
When you grow up fishing, you learn things you can't find in any business school. You learn to read the weather before it turns. You learn patience, real patience... waiting on the water's terms, not your own. And you learn that success isn't just about what you catch; it's about respecting what sustains you.
So when my husband and I decided to launch our own direct-to-consumer salmon business, I thought that same grit would carry us through. And it did — but not before humbling us first. Our very first shipments arrived thawed. Everything we'd worked toward felt like it was slipping away. But walking away was never an option. We problem-solved, we adapted, and we came out the other side stronger for it.
That's the thing about resilience, it's not something you summon in a moment of crisis. It's something you build over a lifetime of showing up, learning, and trusting the process.
I had the chance to share more of this story with Leslie on Meaning and Moxie After 50, and I hope something in our conversation resonates with you, whether you're building a business, navigating a transition, or just trying to find more meaning in your everyday life.
🎧 Listen to the full episode here | Find our wild Alaskan salmon at senasea.com
