Nursery

         

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Interview with Grace Harper, Owner of Harper's Nursery, located in Portland, Oregon

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your background and how you came to start Harper's Nursery?

A: I've always had a love for gardening and plants. Growing up, my grandparents had an incredible garden that inspired me. After I graduated from college, I worked at a few different nurseries before realizing that I wanted to start my own business. I wanted to create a space where people could come and feel inspired to start their own gardens and connect with nature.

Q: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced in starting your own nursery?

A: There were a lot of challenges in the beginning. Finding a location, getting the permits and licenses necessary, and securing funding were all difficult. But one of the biggest challenges was figuring out how to get our products out to the world. We tried a few different platforms, but eventually found that Shopify was the best option for us.

Q: How did Shopify help your business grow?

A: Shopify was a game-changer for us. It allowed us to create an online store and connect with customers all over the country. We were able to showcase our products, provide detailed descriptions, and offer easy ways for people to purchase. It also helped us streamline our inventory and shipping processes, which saved us a lot of time and hassle.

Q: Can you tell us more about how you've used social media to grow your business?

A: Social media has been a key component of our marketing strategy. We regularly post photos and videos of our products, gardening tips, and relevant articles to our Instagram and Facebook pages. We also use these platforms to engage with our customers and answer any questions they may have. It's been a great way to connect with people who may not live near our store, but are still interested in what we have to offer.

Q: What advice would you give to someone who is interested in starting their own nursery?

A: My advice would be to start small and be patient. It takes time to build up a loyal customer base and establish your business. But don't be afraid to try new things and take risks. And make sure to invest in tools and platforms, like Shopify, that can help you reach a wider audience.

Q: What are your future plans for Harper's Nursery?

A: We're always looking to expand and improve our offerings. We're hoping to add more indoor plants and gardening tools to our inventory in the coming months. And we're also considering adding a landscaping service to our business. We'll see where the future takes us!

Q: Finally, can you share a success story that stands out to you from your time running Harper's Nursery?

A: One of my favorite success stories involved a customer from New York who found us on Shopify. She was interested in creating a rooftop garden and had been looking for the perfect plants and supplies. She ordered everything she needed from our online store and, after a few months, sent us photos of her beautiful garden. It was incredibly rewarding to know that we were able to help someone across the country create something they loved.

         

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