 Bill Raynolds and Jenny Gunderson, owners of My Garden Nursery, have created a welcoming, fun and quirky atmosphere at their store.It would be easy to classify the rise of My Garden Nursery in Mill Creek, Wash., as your typical David and Goliath tale: Small garden center uses its quick wit to eclipse local retail giants—earning awards and accolades. And while there’s truth in that scenario, the full story is much richer and more complex.My Garden Nursery (www.mygardennursery.com) has built a following by being fun, quirky and friendly. Gardeners will find a place where gnomes are celebrated, heuchera warrant 365 days in the spotlight and customers are encouraged to “Plant-a-Head.” Underlying this, however, is an almost ferocious devotion to quality plants and maintaining good fiscal policy. In other words—fun and games made possible by awareness of the bottom line. “I don’t want to paint a picture that building the business was easy,” said Jenny Gunderson, co-owner of My Garden Nursery with partner, Bill Raynolds. “It has been incredibly difficult and trying the last four years—especially with my cancer diagnosis coming right in the middle of it.” Indestructible duo Bill and Jenny are the yin and yang of My Garden Nursery. Bill has a finance background, so he’s experienced in dealing with banks, credit lines and back-office work. But his true passion is with the plants—whether it’s growing from starts, maintaining the store’s landscape or keeping everything in top shape while it’s on the benches. Jenny shares this love of plants. She has been in the garden-center business for 30 years, and is a self-proclaimed heuchera addict. She’s known for “waking up with these ideas to do crazy things.” Which is why you’ll find moss sculptures of life-size dogs, dazzling displays and a dynamic sales-floor showcasing what’s new and interesting. “Our staff is quite skilled at really connecting with customers,” Jenny said. “We’ve hired well, and I think the feeling we’ve created is that we’re a family.” This atmosphere is crucial to the store’s success, according to Bill. “One thing that really distinguishes us is our different hiring model,” he said. “Rather than bringing in a big crew, we operate on a more lean basis and keep everyone year-round. That way they’re not looking over their shoulder worried about job cuts. It means our employees really get to know the customers and make a connection with them.” For a cause The close-knit culture at My Garden Nursery is especially evident in the causes championed by the garden center. The store raises money for Alzheimer’s research through auctions and other events. Jenny said the community has been very supportive, and to date My Garden and its customers have raised over $25,000 for the cause since opening in November 2006. An ongoing reminder of this initiative can be found within the nursery—a beautiful demonstration garden called the “Plant-a-Head for Alzheimer's Memory Garden.” Nestled among the trees and shrubs, all manner of head-shaped containers signifying the loss resulting from the disease greet store visitors. “I have been in the nursery business for over 30 years,” Jenny wrote in a heartfelt message on her website. “I have dreamed of owning my own nursery since I was the ‘garden girl’ at Payless drug store. I have to believe that the reason Bill and I have finally achieved that dream is greater than just selling plants. I also have to believe there is a bigger reason for both of my parents having Alzheimer’s. I am strongly convinced that the two combined factors have steered us toward doing something positive by raising money for Alzheimer’s research.” Breast cancer awareness is another cause that’s near and dear to My Garden Nursery. Jenny is a breast cancer survivor who completed the grueling Susan G. Komen 3-Day/60-mile walk. And when My Garden Nursery won $2,500 in a merchandising contest, part of the proceeds went to breast cancer charities. “It’s part of our mission statement,” Bill said about the store’s philanthropy. “It’s part of who we are. It’s not a one-time thing. It’s core to our approach—to give something back.” My Garden Nursery Mill Creek, Wash. www.mygardennursery.com Named best Home and Garden Store in Western Washington for 2010 by Evening Magazine Viewers Winner of Stepables merchandising contest Fun fact: Has its very own U.S. Contract Post Office Unit where customers can mail packages and buy stamps.
Because our line of credit is set up as a seasonal revolving line, we are really careful about making sure that we pay it down to zero a period of time each year.”
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