Get to Know George
The visionary behind Skout Strategy, founder and CEO George Carter, gives a behind-the-scenes glimpse of how he’s spending 2023… we recommend you immediately jot down everything he’s currently listening to and reading. Like many entrepreneurs, George spends most of his day connecting, building, and meeting with vendors and customers, but on days off you can find him in the garden sharing his passion with his six-year-old and three-year-old daughters, Hendrix and Halston, who giddily pick and eat almost everything he plants.
New year, tell us your big dreams for the year (what do you want to tackle and/or accomplish?
My big dream/focus for 2023 is to continue to develop and understand the “business” of indoor farming, from end-to-end. That means understanding the design and construction process, developing operational efficiencies within the farm, and off-take strategies that shorten the food supply chain. As a company, it is paramount that we begin to standardize the process and costs of building indoor farms and aligning that with their production capacity. Equally as important is developing a framework that drives operational efficiency and can standardize the way our customers operate their indoor vertical farm from day one.
What did you learn in 2022? (Personally and professionally)
I learned that building a business from scratch is one of the most fulfilling things I have ever done. I also learned that building a business from scratch is one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life, but I would not have it any other way. The freedom and liberty I have been granted as an entrepreneur is like nothing I have ever experienced before. I am free to think and speak my own thoughts without fear of reprimand, plan my own workdays, and travel where and when I see fit. This same freedom comes with high levels of responsibility, discipline, and accountability, which is the most difficult part of it all. But all in all, being an entrepreneur is how I prefer to live this life and I am going to do everything that I can to not relinquish my grip on this way of life.
Favorite project in 2023?
It is hard to say… every project we are working on is groundbreaking in its own respect and they all hold a special place in my heart. Every project we are working on in 2023, we touched in 2022, and so it is fulfilling and a massive milestone to be able to see these projects come to life. Now comes the fun part, which is operating these farms and beginning to build the businesses that align with the founding vision.
What would you like to see more of in this industry? Less of?
I would like to see more small and medium-sized farms with a regional and local focus come into the market. The greatest value proposition indoor vertical farming has is its ability to grow food closer to where it is consumed. I would like to see more small and medium farms lean into this philosophy and win where big food producers are failing.
What are you growing this year in your garden and why?
In the spring we are growing all of our greens and root veg. Asian greens, collards, kale, cabbage, lettuce, beets, carrots, and radishes. In the summer we will have a massive section of Hopi Pink Corn, Anasazi Bean, melons. We will also do tomatoes, basil, thai basil, medicinal herbs, peppers, cucumbers, and flowers. This fall, I would like to get the garden cleared early enough to throw down some winter wheat so we can protect from soil erosion while also putting back much needed nutrients in the soil.
What’s on your spring cleaning list?
To clean our garden and get it organized. Additionally, I would like to clean out our back storage room and make it a more functional space.
Where are you headed this spring and summer?
Personally, I would love to take our girls to the ocean. Where, does not necessarily matter. I just want them to experience the sand in their toes, the salt water hitting their body, and the waves moving them around. I want our girls to have a strong and deep relationship with the ocean, so the more reinforce that, the better. Professionally, I would like to travel to South America (Chile and Venezuela) and also China. We have partners in all of those places that we have now worked with for years and it would be great to meet them in their homelands.
What can we expect from you/Skout this year?
You can expect Skout to have more of a voice within the indoor agriculture and food system space. For the last 2 years we have quietly been finding our way. We have clear direction on where we are headed and how we want to impact the industry.
What are you listening to or reading this year?
Over the past few years I have taken a keen interest in reading about monopolies as well as the concentration of economic power. I have also spent a lot of time reading about the grocery industry. How it has evolved and changed over time. Musically, I am listening to my favorites. The Arcs, Skyzoo, and Oddisee. All have released albums this year and they continue to be in my headphones, constantly.
We should all binge _____________ right now:
White Lotus. Season 1 and Season 2.
Tonight I’m making _________ dinner:
Since the start of this year our diet has shifted a bit and we find ourselves making more plant based meals. One of my favorites has been roasted veggie bowls with quinoa, seeds, and some sort of sauce. This has become my new go to.