Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Lenzen.
Hi Sarah, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I decided to go back to school in 2018 after spending over 20 years in retail management. Three of my four children were grown, so I felt it was time to focus on my education and start a new career. I completed my AA Degree at Central Lakes College in 2020.
After being accepted to the University of Minnesota, we moved to Crookston and I completed my Bachelor in Horticulture. We moved back to the Brainerd Lakes area after I graduated in the Spring of 2022, and I accepted a position at Landsburg Landscape Nursery where I worked for a season to gain some hands-on experience. It has always been my goal to have my own business, and I had been dreaming of my plant truck for years.
I’ve created several business plans in my entrepreneur business classes at UMC, which gave me some great business ideas! I launched the Crazy Plant Company website on my birthday in February of this year. In March, we had our first pop-up sale and we have been growing ever since.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I have always had big ideas. When I am passionate about something I am all in, two feet first! My husband teases that I said I would start slow. Well, I guess we have different ideas of what that looks like. What started as a spare room full of plant inventory has now taken over the whole house in the last few months. We have finally agreed to convert our living and dining room into my plant space, which also includes the laundry room for watering and a potting bench in the garage. Who am I kidding?
As much as he would like all of the pots, plants, and soil contained in one space, I still have it all over the house! Although, it did make it much easier to convince him that we needed a greenhouse. I am excited to say that we have purchased one and it will be going up on our property soon! Another challenge has been keeping up with social media. I have been very fortunate to have the help of my daughter, Nora.
She has been doing an amazing job managing the marketing aspect and building the brand.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Crazy Plant Company carries many varieties of common, rare, and specialty house plants. Currently, we travel throughout Northern and Central Minnesota having pop-up plant sales at events and local businesses with plans on expanding to other areas. We offer online ordering on our website at crazyplantcompany.com with local delivery to the Brainerd Lakes Area along with shipping nationwide.
My goal is to help teach people how to care for their plants so they can be confident and successful in raising healthy, happy plants. Whether it is providing care instructions or answering questions, I’m here to help. We are very excited about our plans to grow and expand which include opening a plant shop and a nursery in our area offering annuals, perennials, classes, and more!
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
It is so important to never give up on your goals and dreams and it is never too late to finish what you started. I was 45 when I finally graduated college and 46 when I started my business.
It doesn’t matter how long it takes, what matters is that I’m doing it and I couldn’t be more excited about the future.
I am so grateful for my supportive husband and children that have been there every step of the way, cheering me on during this awesome crazy journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: crazyplantcompany.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/crazyplantcompany/
- Facebook: facebook.com/CrazyPlantCompany
