Stephen grew up in North Carolina, spending most of his childhood outdoors—exploring his grandmother's farm, the woods, streams, and lakes of the biodiverse Southern landscape. After studying in the Rocky Mountains, a five-month solo motorcycle journey through South America sparked his interest in farming, grape growing, and winemaking. This passion led him to get his hands dirty working with boutique wineries and farms in Napa, California.

By 2012, Stephen took on the role of Director of Business Development for the first organic distillery in the U.S. and the first Biodynamic farm in Colorado. A year spent on a 90,000-acre cattle ranch further deepened his understanding of large-scale holistic land management, animal husbandry, and agricultural diversification. His passion for restorative agriculture evolved into a successful career in agrarian photography, capturing brands such as Pendleton, Red Wing, Toyota, Stetson, Epic Bar, Long Meadow Ranch, Tecovas, and BMW.

For over 15 years, Stephen has worked on and around Biodynamic and regenerative farms, ranches, and agriculture-based CPG brands—using storytelling and systems thinking to reshape how we do business. He founded Onda, a regenerative herbal and body care brand that pioneered regenerative supply chains, disruptive business models, and the revival of ancient healing practices for modern consumers. He founded Nuturn™, the first clinically proven regenerative skincare ingredient, bringing the power of nutrient-dense plants grown in living soil to personal care products. He also launched Prairie Star Beef, a small startup enabling rotational cattle grazing on his land to support soil health and biodiversity. Alongside these ventures, Stephen has consulted for multiple beverage brands, helping them integrate regenerative principles into their sourcing, storytelling, and supply chains.

At the core of Stephen’s work is building the bridge between soil and consumer, and farmer and brand. He helps connect regenerative producers with forward-thinking businesses, ensuring that the value of living systems is reflected in the marketplace. By strengthening these connections, he fosters a more resilient and transparent food and product economy that benefits both people and the planet.

Having navigated the uncharted terrain of building a mission-driven business, Stephen understands the challenges of entrepreneurship, burnout, and the resilience it takes to stay the course. He nearly quit after hitting rock bottom but found ways to regenerate and push forward. Now, he’s here to share what he's learned and support others forging their own paths.