Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina (Tina) Angott.
Hi Christina (Tina), thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
That’s always a hard question because my story has taken a lot of twists and turns over the years.
If you had asked me 30 years ago where I thought I’d end up, I probably would have said leading marketing organizations, building brands, and helping companies grow. In many ways, that happened. But I never would have guessed that one day I’d also be running a farm, hosting guests under the stars, teaching people about flowers and fireflies, and helping others reconnect with nature.
My career started with a love of communication and storytelling. I earned my degree in Public Relations and Journalism and later a master’s degree in Corporate and Professional Communication. I’ve always been fascinated by understanding people, what motivates them, how they make decisions, and how organizations can communicate more effectively.
Early in my career, I worked in economic development, public relations, and marketing roles before stepping into leadership positions. I learned quickly that marketing wasn’t just about advertising. It was about solving problems, creating opportunities, and helping organizations grow.
Over the years I had the opportunity to work for some incredible companies including IBM, Lenovo, SAS Institute, Scott Safety, Corning, Trane Technologies, and now Cummins. Each role taught me something different.
At IBM and Lenovo, I learned strategy. I had a front-row seat to global business decisions and saw how large organizations operate. At SAS and Scott Safety, I learned how marketing could directly influence growth and revenue. At Corning and Trane, I became deeply involved in transforming marketing organizations, implementing new technology, building teams, and helping companies adapt to a rapidly changing digital world.
What I loved most wasn’t the title or the technology. It was helping people succeed. Whether it was mentoring team members, building partnerships, or helping organizations navigate change, I’ve always been energized by creating something better than what existed before.
But my story isn’t just about my career.
Several years ago, I was diagnosed with cancer. That experience changed me in ways I never expected. Going through chemotherapy and radiation forces you to look at life differently. It humbles you. It makes you realize how precious time really is. When I finally heard the words “cancer free,” I knew I wasn’t the same person who had started that journey.
Around the same time, another dream was beginning to take shape.
My husband Joe and I purchased property in the mountains of North Carolina. What started as land and possibilities slowly became Growing Faith Farms & Retreat. We began raising flowers and vegetables, creating experiences for guests, developing camping and glamping sites, and sharing the beauty of the property with others.
What makes the farm special to me isn’t just what we’ve built. It’s the stories that came before us. The old homes by the creek. The orchards that once covered the hillsides. The moonshine runners who traveled these mountains. The floods that reshaped the land. Every corner of the farm has a story, and I love helping people discover those stories.
Today, my life is very different than I imagined when I first started my career.
I still work in corporate marketing, leading marketing automation and digital operations initiatives. But I also spend my evenings walking guests through mountain trails, talking about history, watching fireflies dance across the fields, and helping families create memories they’ll remember for years.
I’ve learned that success isn’t always a straight line.
I’ve experienced professional highs and lows. I’ve battled cancer. I’ve watched my daughters grow into incredible women. I’ve become a grandmother. I’ve built businesses. I’ve faced challenges in relationships and learned difficult lessons about resilience, trust, and personal growth.
If there’s one theme that runs through my story, it’s reinvention.
Every time life has handed me a challenge, I’ve found a way to build something from it. Sometimes that something was a career opportunity. Sometimes it was a stronger version of myself. Sometimes it was a farm in the mountains.
And honestly, I think I’m still writing the next chapter.
The beautiful thing about life is that you’re never really finished becoming who you’re meant to be.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all. Like many people, I started with a vision of how I thought life would unfold, but the journey has been filled with unexpected challenges and opportunities.
Early in life, I navigated the challenges of divorce and raising two daughters as a single mother while building my career. Balancing work, family, and the responsibilities of everyday life taught me resilience, determination, and how to keep moving forward even when the path wasn’t easy.
Throughout my career, I worked hard to grow into leadership roles, often navigating organizational changes, high expectations, and the pressures that come with leading teams and driving results. One of the biggest challenges was battling cancer, which completely changed my perspective on life and taught me not to take time for granted.
Later, after more than 30 years of building my career, I experienced the shock of losing a marketing leadership position. That setback forced me to rediscover my confidence and realize that my value was not tied to a job title.
Along the way, I found love again, remarried, and together my husband and I took a leap of faith by creating Growing Faith Farms & Retreat. Building a business from the ground up has come with financial challenges, steep learning curves, and plenty of uncertainty, but it has also been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
Looking back, every struggle taught me something. Raising children taught me strength. Cancer taught me gratitude. Career setbacks taught me resilience. Entrepreneurship taught me courage. And perhaps most importantly, I’ve learned that you never stop learning, growing, or adapting. Every season of life brings new challenges and new opportunities, and our ability to evolve is what ultimately shapes who we become.
While the road has not been smooth, those experiences have made me stronger, wiser, and more appreciative of the life I’ve built along the way.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Growing Faith Farms & Retreat?
Growing Faith Farms & Retreat is more than a campground, farm, or event venue. It is a place where people can slow down, reconnect, and experience the beauty of the North Carolina mountains.
Located in Moravian Falls, North Carolina, our farm sits on over 200 acres of rolling farmland, forests, creeks, mountain views, and rich local history. We offer a variety of outdoor experiences including camping, glamping, farm stays, educational events, guided hikes, photography opportunities, seasonal activities, and private events. Whether guests are looking for a peaceful weekend getaway, a family adventure, or a place to gather with friends, we strive to create meaningful experiences that leave lasting memories.
What sets us apart is that we are not trying to be a large commercial campground or resort. We are a family-owned and operated destination where guests can experience authentic farm life while enjoying the natural beauty and history of the region. From feeding farm animals and picking flowers to sitting around a campfire under the stars, every experience is designed to help people disconnect from the noise of everyday life and reconnect with what matters most.
One of the things we are most proud of is the sense of community and hospitality we have created. Many of our guests arrive as visitors and leave feeling like friends. We take pride in sharing not only our property but also the stories that make it special, from the historic orchards and mountain homesteads to the moonshine trails and local folklore that shaped this area for generations.
As a brand, Growing Faith Farms & Retreat represents growth, resilience, faith, and connection. The farm was built through hard work, perseverance, and a dream of creating a place where people could find peace, inspiration, and adventure. Every flower planted, trail maintained, and guest welcomed reflects that vision.
What we want readers to know is that Growing Faith Farms & Retreat is not just a destination. It’s an experience. Whether you’re staying in one of our glamping tents, camping under the stars, attending a farm event, hiking through the property, or simply enjoying the mountain views, our goal is for you to leave feeling refreshed, inspired, and connected to something bigger than yourself.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I’ve learned that risk is a necessary part of growth. If you’re always comfortable, you’re probably not stretching yourself enough to reach your full potential.
That said, I don’t consider myself reckless. I believe in understanding the risks, preparing as much as possible, and then having the courage to move forward. Some risks work out exactly as planned, and others don’t, but I’ve found that the biggest regrets often come from the opportunities you never pursue.
I’ve taken several major risks throughout my life. Navigating divorce and raising two daughters as a single mother while building my career required faith, determination, and a willingness to step into the unknown. Later, battling cancer reminded me just how precious and unpredictable life can be. It reinforced the importance of pursuing the things that matter most rather than waiting for the “perfect” time.
Professionally, I’ve taken risks by stepping into leadership roles that challenged me, relocating for opportunities, and continuously reinventing myself throughout different stages of my career. My husband and I also took a significant risk when we purchased property and built Growing Faith Farms & Retreat from the ground up. We invested our time, energy, finances, and hearts into a vision with no guarantee of success.
What’s interesting is that my willingness to take risks extends beyond my career and business life. I’ve always enjoyed activities that push me outside my comfort zone. I’ve gone scuba diving, parachuted from an airplane, and enjoy skiing and other high-adrenaline adventures. Those experiences have taught me a lot about confidence, preparation, and trusting yourself. There is something incredibly empowering about facing fear head-on and discovering you’re capable of more than you thought.
At the end of the day, I believe growth happens at the edge of our comfort zone. Whether in business, relationships, personal challenges, or adventure, every meaningful accomplishment involves some level of uncertainty. The key is being willing to take the leap, learn from the experience, and keep moving forward. After all, you never stop learning, growing, or adapting.
Pricing:
- Camping starts at $25/night
- Platforms starts at $37/night
- Bell tents starts at $75/night
- Glamping starts at $165/night
- Call for group pricing and event rentals
Contact Info:
- Website: https://growingfaithfarms.com
- Instagram: @growingfaithfarms_nc
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/growingfaithfarms.nc/
