Today we’d like to introduce you to Greer Bowley.
Hi Greer, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
During the initial covid lockdowns I realized I was pretty unhappy working a classic 9-5 job for someone else. I made some significant life changes with the help of my husband Matt and we both ended up taking different jobs to put our plan into action. With these different jobs, I was able to focus more time and effort on my dream job, working for myself and selling house plants to my local community!
We started attending the Toledo Farmers Market as a mobile houseplant shop out of our van Bertha in the spring of 2021, selling houseplants, art, and some handmade terrariums. Through connections made at the farmers market and new friends, we met along the way we started joining other markets and gaining new customers/friends!
By the spring of 2022, I quit my job and have been focusing on The Green Crow full-time. We renovated a room in a commercial building and opened a very small brick and mortar. We now attend multiple farmers markets and pop-up markets, manage an online store, and the brick and mortar and teach workshops with multiple area businesses!
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?
Not at all! Working full-time while trying to start my own business was difficult. I didn’t want to take out any loans so we had to play our cards just right and make the right moves to be able to grow. Also having a husband become a business partner is also challenging, it adds a whole new dynamic to the relationship that took some time to navigate. We both sacrificed a lot of free time, a huge change of schedule, and income to get to where we are today.
And it’s still challenging! We are by no means “out of the woods” and it’s a different problem every day that needs to be solved.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
In the most basic sense, I sell indoor tropical plants. But I like to think we are so much more than that! I really like to help people realize they can grow plants and enjoy them, I like finding the right plants for your situation and educating about proper care along the way.
We are known for our bioactive terrariums, which are small living ecosystems contained in a glass vessel. Using the right plants, soil, water, and live insects they become self-sufficient and easy-to-care-for items to display in your home! I teach classes across the Toledo area on how to build your own.
I’m most proud of forming genuine connections with people and helping to turn people who thought they couldn’t grow anything into green thumbs!
What matters most to you? Why?
Being a business that is very open and accessible. I am easy to reach and I want people to never hesitate to reach out with questions. Just being an active part of our community.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.greencrowplants.com
- Instagram: @greencrowplants
- Facebook: TheGreencrowplants
Image Credits
Matt Bowley
