Spring Update: Wins, Lessons, Next Steps

               It’s been four months since we launched Standard Nursery LLC in February, and I wanted to share a quick update. Spring is finishing strong.  We shipped far more loads than I expected early on. That momentum came thanks to amazing growers and customers who were willing to give Standard a shot.

What I’ve Enjoyed Most

               If I had to pick my favorite part of this whole endeavor, it has to be making a plan come together.  When a customer has a need and I’m able to find the solution, arrange delivery, and everything goes off without a hitch, that’s a good day.  There’s something so satisfying about arranging all those details, quality control, shipping, everything, and then having a happy customer at the end.

Finding My Footing

               The most challenging part has been adapting to the emotional highs and lows of starting a business.  It is an emotional multiplier for sure.  Over the course of the last four months, and building on the last eight years, I have started to find a healthy equilibrium.

New Developments

               As we’re starting to build momentum at Standard Nursery, the pieces are falling into place to offer new partnerships and programs.  In May, we welcomed two new independent sales reps, Micca Rasp and Jon Gerber.  These two are industry pros.  They bring a wealth of knowledge and personal touch that our customers are already appreciating.  It’s wonderful to have them on board.  Micca is taking care of Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas while Jon is serving Colorado.  This added help has given me the bandwidth to continue developing the business.

Upcoming Trade Shows

               To help build the brand, Standard Nursery will be exhibiting at two trade shows this August.  We’ll be at TNLA in San Antonio, TX, where Micca Rasp and I will be working the booth.  We will also be showing at FarWest in Portland, OR.  There are a couple other shows where we are on a waiting list for booth space, so we’re praying those opportunities open up as well.  In preparation for trade shows, we just ordered our first booth materials.  It will be incredibly fun to meet customers under the Standard Nursery logo. 

Future Plans

               As the dust begins to settle next month, we will be highlighting the benefits of our grow agreements, which are the main purpose and vision of Standard Nursery LLC.  Grow agreements align the needs of customers with the production capacity of growers and provide a true leading indicator for future demand.  If you struggled to find certain items this spring, Standard Nursery Grow Agreements might be the solution to shore up future needs. 

Economic Outlook

               The news is full of predictions of recession, but I have not felt the effects just yet.  I can tell that the pandemic levels of spending have leveled off entirely but based on this spring’s sales and talking with other nurseries, I would say that we’ve experienced a much better spring than most were expecting.  

Recent CPI data came in below expectations at 2.1% while the Fed is still predicting persistent inflation into the future.  The disconnect between expectations and the data seems to reflect a spending shift away from certain luxuries back towards necessities like food and clothing.  I expect the nursery industry to be resilient as it caters to both modest luxuries and the necessities of landscaping contracts.  Standard Nursery is looking towards the future with optimism.  

Tools for Growth

There is a terrific book called “The Upside of Uncertainty” by Nathan Furr, PhD and Susannah Harmon Furr.  I’ve listened to it several times.  It provides a framework through which the future is viewed as an opportunity for innovation to transform risk into advantage.  I would highly recommend it to any other entrepreneurs who may be looking warily at the future. 

Closing

I would just say a hearty thank you to everyone who has made the launch of this new business a success.  I appreciate your support more than you’ll ever know.  The future holds the promise of new partnerships, greater projects, and opportunities to come.  If there's anything we can do to serve your business, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Josh LaPoint

503-713-9907

Josh@StandardNurseryCompany.com