Hello
Hi, I’m Paul Schiefen, co-owner of Jardin du Soleil, a working lavender farm in Washington State known for its agritourism experiences, retail offerings, and community events. I’m also the founder of Root Down Consulting, where I help farmers and rural business owners build smart, grounded systems that support growth without burnout.
I bring more than two decades of experience running real businesses, from farming and retail to service-based work, along with 14 years of hands-on agritourism experience. My work sits at the intersection of land, people, and place, helping rural businesses grow in ways that are sustainable for both the operation and the humans behind it.
My Story
I’ve spent more than 20 years building and running businesses, from owning and managing an insurance agency in California to co-owning a working lavender farm here in Sequim, WA. In 2011, my family and I took on Jardin du Soleil, where I now help oversee everything from field work and distillation to retail operations, event planning, and staffing. Along the way, I also founded a local music festival, helped grow community events, built strong partnerships with other small businesses in our region, and served for two years as President of the Olympic Peninsula Visitors Bureau, working with destination partners and communities on regional tourism strategy.
Through my work, I realized how many other farmers and rural entrepreneurs were facing the same challenges I had, from pricing their products to managing their staff, designing guest experiences, or navigating agritourism regulations. That realization led me to create Root Down Consulting, and also to take on a role with the North Olympic Development Council, where I’ve supported dozens of local farm and food businesses with strategy, planning, education, and real-world tools.
Today, I help other farmers create systems that reflect their values, support their growth, and make daily operations smoother, whether that means planning events, developing value-added products, improving retail flow, or getting a handle on QuickBooks. My approach is practical, collaborative, and rooted in lived experience. I love this work, and I’m here to help you find a path that works for your farm, your people, your values, and your future.