I’m heading out to deliver some of our drop-off subscription bouquets.
During my years as a flower farmer and business owner, I’ve learned many monumental lessons. The one I am sharing here saved my flower farming life.
It occurred during my early years of farming. I was frustrated and seriously thinking of quitting.
It was nearly a hundred degrees that summer afternoon, and I felt like I was about to explode, I wasn’t finished harvesting, but customers were already chomping for their orders, I couldn’t even face the long chore list waiting—start seeds, weed, plant, wash buckets, so forth and so on. (Sound familiar?)
Then I heard my 80-year-old neighbor’s tractor heading my way. I wanted to hide. I had no time for a fence visit that day…
He pulled up and waited. I try to blame my next move on being overheated, but the truth is I was just so stressed…I ignored him.
Finally, I walked over. He stared at me and then cut his tractor off, a first. He asked, “What is wrong?” And this starts my gushing.
“I can’t get all my work done. I wake up to a long to-do list and go to bed with an even longer one! What in the world am I doing wrong? I’m practically working from sunup to sundown— and for peanuts. I hardly have time to go to the grocery store, much less time for my family!”
Bawling commenced.
After a long silence on his part, he began to share. Here was wisdom from a man that had built and ran not one, but two successful farms.
His message was to focus on the things that really matter to the business. Do what’s important to the bottom line and let the rest go— it’s the way to success.
Why be in business, be the boss, the one in charge if you don’t make money and have time for your life too?
In the weeks following that bawling talk, I decided to turn the tables on my business. To start being the one in charge instead of chasing the dream and never catching it.
I began trimming and spent time focusing on what helped my business the most. This led my business to success and had a major impact on my quality of life.
I’m now in my 20th year of flower farming and I still follow this same train of thought. I am so confident and organized in my business that time opened up for what matters to me most…my family.
For several years, I have been sharing this with those eager to begin and those already flower farming. They are experiencing the same as I have— less chaos, more success, and more open time.
My online course Flower Farming School Online grew out of my experiences. Learn how you can manage or start your flower farming business and have it be a part of your life, not take over your life…
Open enrollment Fall 2021, I hope you’ll join me.
Read what students are saying about this course here.
All my best,
Lisa Z
Founder of The Gardener’s Workshop and Flower Farming School Online. Award-winning author of Vegetables Love Flowers, Cool Flowers, and The Easy Cut-Flower Garden Connect with Lisa on Facebook and Instagram!
