Meet Denise Montrose | Business Owner & Non-Profit Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Denise Montrose and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Denise, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
The biggest obstacle I’ve had to overcome is a lack of thought process for starting the nonprofit. I have met quite a few farm rescue founders who grew up on a farm, lived in the country, had farm animal knowledge, and already had the land/farm established. At the very least, they had done significant research and planned the rescue sustainably. I met this cow, she stole my heart and before I knew it I was selling my house in the suburbs, buying an RV, putting everything in storage, and moving to the middle of nowhere. The lack of thought and planning has made the entire effort more difficult. Considering that I am a planner, the fact that I sprung into action and launched myself into chaos says a lot about what passion can make a sane person do,

What should our readers know about your business?
I spent my career in logistics and supply chain and opened Small World, an executive supply chain recruitment firm in 2014. Lately, that has taken a back seat to my more time-consuming roles as farm manager and nonprofit rescue founder. I opened the Tennessee Cow Rescue in 2021 after meeting a vision-impaired heifer calf on my 50th birthday. With no experience and even less sense, I launched myself into the world of farming to save one cow. There are currently eleven cows, a sheep, two dogs, and many farm cats who call the rescue home. We also frequently help relocate farm animals, placing them in a safe environment even though they never become a permanent resident here at the farm. In 2023, we saved 24 cows in addition to the cows here at the rescue.

The challenges and lessons have been crashing into me for three years and my success in overcoming them has been hanging on and riding the wave to a day that brings calmer waters. Building a farm from scratch without experience is not for the faint of heart. I’ve learned that I can take on, overcome, persevere, battle through, and conquer more than I thought possible. I have also learned that a life without something to be fully passionate about can be limiting, mundane, and unrewarding. I want people to know that when passion hits them out of nowhere, don’t ignore it. Take the road less traveled and spend your life living on the edge of what you once thought was your limit. You can do more, be more, win more, and love more. To me, risking more has been very hard but very worth it.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The farm is located in McMinnville, TN and after spending time on the farm meeting the animals and visiting the cave, we’d head to our adorable downtown for a day of shopping and a vegan lunch at Juicy’s. There are lots of places to explore in the area and we’d likely take a few cave tours, visit some area parks, and do a bit of kayaking. We’d head to Nashville for a few days to experience all the great food and live music. I frequently say that Nashville can be too much fun; hopefully, we can have a good time without getting in too much trouble. If it’s hockey season, we’d catch a Predator’s game; which in my opinion, is one of the best times you can experience in sports. Last but not least, Nashville has several amazing museums which is a super way to learn about the area and the history of country music.

Truth be told, it is hard for me to be away from the farm, so we’d have to head back home and enjoy the scenery and drinks from the porch swing.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My daughter, Abby Montrose, and father, Robert Feiklowicz, have supported my nonprofit launch, despite worrying for me in every way imaginable. Both have contributed time, money, and effort to the farm since day one. Not a day goes by that I don’t realize that what I decided to do impacts my family and friends in a major way. Abby will inherit a rescue farm filled with animals one day. Not everyone wants that; it’s a lot to ask of someone.

Website: https://www.tennesseecowrescue.org

Instagram: @tennesseecowrescue

Linkedin: @tennesseecowrescue

Twitter: @TNCowResuce

Facebook: @tennesseecowrescue.org

Image Credits
N/A