Today we’d like to introduce you to Hannah And Daniel Neeleman.
Hi Hannah and Daniel, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Thanks so much for having us—we’re excited to share our story with you.
We built Ballerina Farm quite literally from the ground up on a piece of land in Kamas, Utah. The idea grew out of a dream formed during our four years living in Brazil. That time abroad planted a deep love for farming and food. When we came back to the mountain west of America with a growing family, we wanted to build something lasting for them. Something rooted in hard work and simplicity.
Daniel and I both come from entrepreneurial homes, each of us one of nine children. My parents ran a flower shop together, built from scratch, where my dad was the artist and my mom the business brain. That upbringing shaped how I see the world, carrying me all the way to Juilliard at just 17 years old. It was there that I really learned what it meant to work hard for a dream. Ballet was my first love—it taught me discipline, but it was also where I realized I wanted a different kind of life; one where I could create, raise a family, and build something of my own.
One fateful summer in the middle of school, I met Daniel: a lacrosse player with a love for cowboy hats and Carhartt. We met at a BYU basketball game and clicked instantly. Not long after, he set aside his collegiate career to support my dancing dreams in New York. Soon, we became parents and entrepreneurs, all at once.
We launched Ballerina Farm in 2017 with big dreams and a lot of hope. We’re a first-generation farm, built day by day with grit, grace, and the belief that simpler living is worth pursuing. What started as a family dream has grown into a brand supported by nearly 100 employees and a community we love deeply.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
We’ve definitely experienced our share of challenges and lessons along the way, but who hasn’t? Our very first farm in Spanish Fork, Utah, actually burned down. After that, we decided to pick it all up and move everything to Kamas to start fresh. I didn’t plan on walking across the graduation stage of Juilliard with my two-week-old son, Henry, in my arms, but that is life! And I wouldn’t have it any other way. Instead of becoming a professional dancer, I found my calling by co-founding this company with my husband. That happened because of a series of obstacles thrown at us, challenges overcome, and lessons learned about ourselves along the way. It hasn’t been smooth – life with eight children can get messy – but it has been beautiful, exhausting, and deeply fulfilling.
This year, we opened our first Farm Stand in Kamas and are preparing to launch our flagship store in Midway, Utah, this May. We’ve seen so much progress, and yet we’re just getting started.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Ballerina Farm?
We’re deeply passionate about food and family.
Daniel and I just returned from a 12-week course at Ballymaloe Cookery School in Ireland. It was humbling, intense, and inspiring. We were up early, learning everything from knife skills to fermentation to traditional bread baking. It challenged us to think more intentionally about what we’re offering through Ballerina Farm—what we make, how we make it, and how we share it with others.
Rather than focusing on selling a product with our business, we’re really trying to cultivate a lifestyle centered around real food, meaningful work, and living with purpose. Our hope is that Ballerina Farm continues to be a place where people feel encouraged to connect to their food, their family, and their values.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
For both of us, our parents have been our biggest mentors. My mom and dad built something from nothing, and they poured every ounce of themselves into supporting their family. My family jokes that all the funds from the Flower Shop went to my ballet career, and they’re probably right. Daniel’s dad was the same. He built businesses, stayed grounded, and passed on a love for hard work and determination to his kids (most of whom are entrepreneurs themselves).
Mentors aren’t always the most successful or public figures. Sometimes they’re the people right in front of you, leading by example. Look for people who live in a way you want to live. Who approaches life with zeal, grit, and empathy? Those are the people to watch closely and learn from in my opinion. We’ve been incredibly blessed by our community, our team, and different friendships that have supported us through all seasons of our journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ballerinafarm.com
- Instagram: @ballerinafarm @hogfathering @ballerinafarmstore
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ballerinafarm
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ballerina-farm/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBallerinaFarm
