Meet Nicole Zaagman of Nicole Zaagman Enterprises / Parkside Farm

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Zaagman.  

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
At seventeen years old, I headed off to college to pursue a career in graphic design. I graduated from Spring Arbor University in 2009 and started my corporate career as a graphic designer. I spent over 5 years working for various entities in the West Michigan area as a graphic, website designer, photographer, and creative consultant. 

In my last corporate position, I began thinking about working for myself. 

One of the catalysts that helped me make the leap to entrepreneurship was a former co-worker. Sadly, the last conversation I had with him took place shortly before he was involved in a tragic accident that resulted in his unexpected passing. 

My former co-worker was an organ donor who went on to help and save the lives of many others. It was in the midst of grief in this experience I realized that life is a gift and that I didn’t want to waste another day not pursuing my dream. It was his encouragement that spurred me on to quit my job and start my own business. 

My small business story officially started in 2014. I offered graphic and website design, photography, and marketing services to clients across the United States. During that time, my mother and I opened a photography studio together. In the following years, I went on to host events, speak at events, coach clients, and author two books. 

Fast forward to 2020, the world was taken over by COVID-19. During the pandemic, I made a “bucket list” of things that I wanted to do after years of promoting others’ dreams. One dream I held for 12 years was to have pygmy goats again. I raised them and showed them as a child and teenager, and they brought me so much joy. 

After many months of contacting registered breeders, I settled on a doe and her twins. The issue was they were in California, and I was in Michigan! Through the help of the internet and many prayers, I was able to secure transportation to bring them to me. The trio arrived in October 2021, and I picked Parkside Farm as the name for my farm. 

In early 2022, my husband and I discovered the farmhouse south of us was for sale. I wanted to purchase the home with plans to turn it into an Airbnb for guests to experience Parkside Farm. There was one obstacle in the way: obtaining a mortgage with no credit score because we were completely debt free. 

Thankfully, we had a former client and CEO of a bank who helped get the loan approved. We closed in March 2022, which expanded Parkside Farm to 8 acres. After opening our Airbnb in June 2022, I hosted over 120 individuals in 8 months and obtained Superhost status. I also continued to expand my pygmy goat herd. 

Within a year, I welcomed our first baby pygmy goat named Samson born in October 2022. Samson’s story touched the hearts of many through his grand entrance into the world via emergency c-section, saving him and his mother. As a result, I published my first Children’s Storybook called Samson the Baby Pygmy Goat in December 2022. 

Because I quickly saw the positive impact and joy the pygmy goats gave others and my previous experience in dog and horse therapy and art, I decided to create a program for families in my local community that featured a unique farm experience with pygmy goat and art assisted activities, called the Jump for JOY Program™. 

In early 2023, I obtained my Life Coach certificate and started offering JOY Sessions to help families strengthen their relationships, build social skills, improve confidence, reduce stress, and set family goals. I also offer mobile JOY Visits and JOY Parties with the pygmy goats at assisted living centers, private celebrations, and corporate events. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
As much as I’d love to say my 9-year entrepreneurial journey has been a smooth road, it hasn’t been. On the other hand, I am grateful for all the detours, potholes, and “road closed” signs along the way. Without them, I wouldn’t be who and where I am today. One of the struggles I experienced in 2018 was physical and mental burnout. 

I ended up having to shut down my former business and take a break to fully recover. It was a lonely and difficult time, and I suffered from severe social anxiety. But I really learned a lot about myself, the importance of mental health, and I strengthened my faith in the Lord. I learned I cannot do anything without my faith in Jesus Christ. 

In an age of hustle culture, I learned the hard way the importance of rest and work-life balance and not to try so hard to please everyone. Setting boundaries in personal relationships is equally as important in professional relationships. Sometimes, no matter what you do, some people are toxic, and those types of clients are not ideal to work with. 

Putting good contracts in place for your clients, setting up a business phone number, and sticking to set office hours are all good practices to implement in running your own business. Having a chance to get to know someone before jumping into working together helps you determine who would be a good fit for your services. 

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about Nicole Zaagman Enterprises, LLC / Parkside Farm?
Today my business specializes in life coaching and photography services. A good life coach and photographer requires great listening and people skills. To do both successfully, you have to bring out the best in people. I enjoy helping clients reach their goals with life coaching and capturing the true beauty of someone with a camera. 

My business also encompasses Parkside Farm, which is a reservation and by appointment-only farm in Byron Center, MI. Parkside Farm was named for its peaceful, “park-like” setting filled with trees, natural beauty, and wildlife. In the day, you can watch clouds roll by, see amazing sunsets, and star gaze at night. 

My farm is 20 minutes south of downtown Grand Rapids, not far from the International Airport, many restaurants, various entertainment options, and shopping venues. Parkside Farm offers a curated menu of services, including a barn theater and rustic barn for family events and relaxing overnight RV and farmhouse Airbnb stays. 

Last but not least, the Jump for JOY Program™ with my pygmy goats has got to be what sets me apart from others and what I am most proud of brand-wise. There is literally no other program that offers this unique experience. It took me 3 months to get an insurance policy in place because no one offered a risk category for goats! 

I have always had the propensity to persevere through situations that others deem “impossible.” Every day I utilize my experience, hard work, and creativity to further a unique business model crafted from my heart and passions. I absolutely love seeing others in my community benefit from Parkside Farm and my unique services. 

My mission is to spread joy to others, especially through the pygmy goats. At the end of my life, I want others to remember me because I made them smile or took the time to care about what they might be going through. And in small ways, encourage others to seek and pursue the things that bring them joy in life as well. 

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I absolutely love the area that I live in (Byron Center, MI) and Grand Rapids, for that matter. I think what I love most is how friendly and generous everyone is. It’s hard for me to think of something I don’t like. Perhaps the potholes from Michigan winters. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.nicolezaagman.com – www.parkside.farm – www.samsonthepygmygoat.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parksidefarmmi/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/parksidefarmmi
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@parksidefarmmi

Image Credits
Bruce Doll