Dean and Marika

We first came across Ram through a podcast on farm systems and management. What was being discussed around time, delegation, and structure really resonated — because at that point, we had none of it.

When we started, it honestly felt like we had no time at all. Everything depended on us — solving problems, managing people, and keeping things moving. We were constantly reacting, and there was no real structure around delegation or record keeping. It was stressful, especially around audits, and it felt like we were always behind.

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That’s what drew us into the Time Freedom Program. We needed space — and a better way to run things.

At the start, we’ll admit, some of the process didn’t make sense. Slowing down and working through the foundations felt counterintuitive when everything felt urgent. But as we went along, it started to click.

The biggest shift for us has been in how we think about problems and delegation. Before, we would just jump in and fix things. Now, we step back and ask: how do we make sure this gets solved without us next time?

That one change has had a ripple effect across the whole business.

We’ve now freed up around 25–30% of our time from day-to-day operations, which means we can focus on projects, planning, and improving the business — not just running around reacting to it. The team is more accountable, systems are being used, and record keeping is finally under control. Even our auditor commented on how well things are set up now.

A big step forward for us has been hiring a new operations manager. Using our operational core values, we were able to find the right person, and with the systems already in place, the onboarding process has been far smoother. The coaching we’ve gone through has also helped us support them properly from day one, which has made a real difference.

There’s also been a big reduction in the mental load. Things feel more organised, more structured, and a lot more manageable.

On a personal level, it’s been just as important. Dean is now the fittest he’s ever been at 45, simply because there’s finally the time and headspace to focus on health — something that just wasn’t possible before.

This hasn’t been an overnight fix. It’s been a steady shift — in systems, but more importantly in mindset. We’re moving away from constantly reacting, and towards building a business that can operate more effectively and sustainably without everything depending on us.

That’s been the real change.