Lin Honeycutt is a lifelong entrepreneur and community figure based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Over the course of more than three decades, he has founded, built, and led several beloved local businesses including Honeycutt Transmission (sold in 2019), The Holiday Light Store, and Fieldstream Farm, one of the most popular event venues and Christmas attractions in North Carolina.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Lin has lived a life of service, most notably through his 19 years as a Regional Coordinator for North Carolina Baptist Men (NCBM) and 17 years as Brotherhood Director for the Raleigh Baptist Association (RBA). Though retired from official ministry roles in 2021, Lin continues to serve his community through church cooking, committee work, and an unwavering devotion to his faith.
A husband, father, and grandfather, Lin is also a dedicated supporter of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a farmer, a skilled event host, and a man of deep conviction.
What does a typical day look like for you now that you’re retired from formal ministry and no longer running Honeycutt Transmission?
My days are still full—just different. I may not be coordinating disaster relief or running an auto shop anymore, but I’m still busy. Most mornings start early, either feeding the chickens at the farm, checking in on our tobacco fields, or helping prep for one of the 50-plus events we host annually at Fieldstream Farm. If it’s Christmas season, there’s likely something to tweak or light to test on our mile-long drive-through light show. With over 2 million lights, something always needs attention.
I also spend a lot of time in the kitchen—cooking for my church family has become one of my favorite parts of this chapter of my life. Whether it’s Wednesday night dinners or preparing meals for special events, it’s a way to serve that brings me joy and keeps me connected.
You’ve built businesses and led relief efforts. How do you go about bringing new ideas to life?
It always starts with a need. When I started Honeycutt Transmission, I saw a gap in honest, dependable repair services in our area. Same with the Holiday Light Store—people wanted quality decorations and couldn’t find them locally.
I don’t sit around waiting for inspiration to strike. I’m a believer in action. If something feels right and lines up with my values, I go for it. I’ll test small, fix what’s broken, and scale when I know it works. That’s how Fieldstream Farm’s light show grew from a small display to one of the largest in the state.
You’ve seen a lot of changes across industries. What’s one trend that excites you today?
The growth of community-based experiences really excites me. In a world so driven by screens and noise, people are craving real-life moments—family gatherings, seasonal events, things that bring people together in person.
That’s what makes the Christmas display so powerful. It’s more than lights—it’s memories. I think we’ll see more families, more communities, investing in these kinds of experiences, and I’m glad to be part of that.
Spreading Joy: The Impact of Holiday Traditions on Communities
You’ve balanced leadership and service your whole life. What habit helps you stay productive?
Consistency. I don’t believe in doing things halfway. If I say I’m going to show up, I show up. If I take on a job—whether that’s leading disaster recovery or frying 40 pounds of chicken for a church event—I do it to the best of my ability.
And I make lists. Lots of lists. A habit from my early shop days that’s stuck with me: write it down, check it off, keep moving.
If you could give your younger self some advice, what would it be?
Don’t be so hard on yourself. You’re going to mess up, and that’s okay. Just learn from it, apologize when you need to, and keep going.
I’d also say: listen more, especially when older people speak. Their stories hold wisdom, and you never know when you’ll be in their shoes.
Tell us something you believe that most people wouldn’t agree with.
That the best ministry often doesn’t happen inside the church walls. I believe real change happens in garages, kitchens, and cornfields—where people live their everyday lives.
A handshake, a shared meal, a prayer offered over a broken tractor—those are the moments where God works most powerfully.
What’s something you do regularly that you’d recommend others try?
Give without expecting anything back. Whether that’s time, money, or energy—just give. It might be volunteering at your church, supporting a cause like St. Jude, or just making time for someone who needs to talk.
Generosity changes the giver more than the receiver. That’s something I’ve experienced over and over.
When life gets overwhelming, how do you get back on track?
I walk the farm. Nature resets me. Watching the chickens scratch around, checking the rows of hay, or even just standing in the quiet field where the tobacco grows—it reminds me of what matters.
Sometimes I’ll pray, other times I’ll sing. Music helps me breathe again. And if all else fails, I cook. Feeding people brings peace to my spirit.
What’s a strategy that helped you grow your businesses?
Treating every customer and guest like they matter—because they do. Whether it was someone walking into Honeycutt Transmission with a busted alternator or a bride visiting Fieldstream Farm for her wedding tour, I always tried to make them feel heard.
People don’t come back because you’re perfect. They come back because you cared.
Can you share a moment of failure and what you learned from it?
Early on in the transmission business, I expanded too quickly and didn’t have the right team in place. It cost me. I had to downsize and rebuild from the ground up.
That experience taught me that you can’t build faster than your foundation. I learned to slow down, train better, and surround myself with people who share the same work ethic and values.
If you could give away a business idea to readers, what would it be?
There’s room for a traveling event kitchen—a mobile unit that serves home-cooked meals for families dealing with illness, grief, or crisis.
We often bring flowers and cards, but a warm meal made with love hits differently. Someone should build that into a scalable, compassionate business.
What software helps you stay productive?
Google Calendar. It helps me coordinate everything—from light show installations to farm deliveries to church dinners. My schedule is full year-round, and I’d be lost without it.
What’s the best $100 you’ve spent recently?
I bought a new commercial baking pan set for the church kitchen. Not exciting for most folks, but it means I can prepare more meals, more efficiently. It’s already been used for three potlucks and a funeral reception.
Any book or podcast you’d recommend?
I’ve always respected John C. Maxwell’s leadership books. The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership in particular taught me that leadership isn’t about control—it’s about service. That’s stuck with me through every season of life.
What movie or series have you enjoyed lately?
I rewatched It’s a Wonderful Life last Christmas, like I do most years. It hits home every time. That idea—that a simple life of doing right by others can have a ripple effect—is exactly what I believe.
Final Thoughts:
Lin Honeycutt’s story is not about fame, nor fortune. It’s about faith in action. Through business, mission, light displays, and community meals, he’s created something rare: a legacy built on humility, service, and heart.
And in a world that often moves too fast, Lin’s life reminds us to slow down, do the work, and take care of each other—one light, one meal, and one act of kindness at a time.