Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Gullickson.
Hi Mary, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Started in the parking lot of a local grocery store in New Prague. Sold annuals and perennials out of one greenhouse for three months in the summer. Did this 2012-2014. In 2015, we opened our current location with a new building and one greenhouse.
Every year, we add a greenhouse to the current three growing houses. We also expanded our plant selection to include fruit, vegetables, shrubs, trees, tropicals, and houseplants. We are a full-service garden center offering landscape design, Residential and Commercial plant designs, and pots and gardens installation. A gift shop that changes with the seasons offers a wide range personal gifts, home, and garden accessories.
We have been an all-women business for 14 years, serving the surrounding communities. We offer classes and workshops at the location and go out to the community to teach different groups.
We host several customer appreciation events throughout the year at our Lily Jo Gardens at our location.
Our Lily Jo Garden features 5 themed walking gardens with 2 waterfalls throughout. It was planted back in 2008 so, you can walk through mature trees, shrubs, and perennials to get an idea what the landscape would look like in a home or commercial setting.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The weather was always a struggle and still is to this day. Planning what people want to buy and staying on current events.
We started using a software program to track sales, which was very beneficial. Learning this program was a process and continues to evolve. Learning to go from buying plants to growing plant materials, winterizing them, and keeping quality product with the ever-changing weather patterns.
COVID brought on a whole new dynamic to get through and learn how to deal with customers. shortage of products, changes in shipping.
Employment is seasonal, and finding talent to work with every year is an ongoing process. We have been blessed with great people who are like family and have stayed through the challenges.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Retail business to grower, designer, and installer. We specialize in quality, unique plants to purchase or have us design. We have the knowledge to help our clients select and grow plants and succeed. We enjoy putting together designs that inspire new ideas and trends.
Our store is very appealing and colorful the moment you walk on the property. It changes often to keep it interesting.
We are considered more of a boutique, so we offer closer engagement with customers. We offer help to solve problems with timely solutions.
Owners are always on staff and ready to care for staff and customers.
We stay up to date on the latest plants available and offer a good selection to choose from.
How do you define success?
Success is making a difference in the community we serve. Having the customers find joy in coming to our store. To be a go-to place to help with customer needs and education. Marketing ourselves as experts in our field and sharing that through different social and community channels. Supporting the community and non-profits throughout the year- by giving our time and resources.
Growing every year better and wiser.
Earning our customers’ praise.
Pricing:
- Annuals start 2.99
- Perennials start at 12.99
- Shrubs start around 32.99
- Tree start around 199.99
- Gifts range 3.99-300.00
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cedarbrookgc.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/cedarbrookgc
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-beth-gullickson-6ba80426/
