“How long have you been working here?” A dreaded pause follows the question. I never quite know how to answer. Truthfully, on one hand, I can not remember. Then again, I have only been on the payroll for a short time. Typically, I just joke around and mumble something along the lines of “Oh, forever, I stay hidden!”
I remember my first responsibility for The Garden Corner. It was before we even had a physical location! Every spring was busy planting baskets for the City of Lake Oswego. All season, I would stand at the end of the table and sort all the tags that were planted into the combinations. My job was to match the images from each variety into separate containers. All of the tags had to be sorted before we could eat. The responsibility of getting those baskets planted so we could get to lunch was entirely mine.
With the fall came the close of hanging basket season. Suddenly, I was out of a job! Not to worry, groundbreaking for The Garden Corner began in the winter. While the work was much more physical, I was not much of a complainer. I kept busy by helping prepare the property for The Garden Corner. I could be found outside, shoveling bark into my brother’s little wheelbarrow. Next to my father’s much larger wheelbarrow, the photographic evidence proves that clearly, we were pivotal to success.
After our opening, the years start to blur. I had huge responsibilities. Planting season continued, and the jobs got larger. Ranging from stacking pots to scooping fertilizers, and even the delicate task of watering plants. In a way, our growth as a company was due to my continued dedication. Planting seasons passed, and again, I was in desperate need of work.
My skills grew, and eventually I was approved for “helping” on the store floor. I took my responsibilities very seriously. I checked in with every employee, followed and monitored progress, and learned much about their personal lives. Productivity slowed, and many of the customer appreciation treats disappeared. It was at this point in my work experiences that I learned to keep my hands busy if my mouth was moving. Another skill to add to my resume. Where would we be if I were not such a stellar employee?
Eventually, there was a planting season where I started applying what I had learned. Designer planters followed, knowing what to plant together to create a masterpiece, and adding those touches that finished the look. This work I was comfortable with, behind the scenes. Tending to little plants and watching them grow under my care. Learning about new varieties, the science behind the ever-evolving breeds was fascinating. I started selecting my own colors and plants to try out.
After the planting season, display design followed. Another area that I found unknown expertise. The ability to produce a visually appealing display that allowed merchandise to flow. Particularly with the holiday displays. My ideas grew from simple visual displays to signage creation. A decent amount of messes were made, trailing my wild ideas. I started attending buying shows, learning how to produce displays from scratch, and building them with items that I had purchased. This was a whole new level of risky. After one season, I was more than ready to return to the comfort of basket growing.
Basket growing has once again evolved. Now, not only was I fulfilling orders and planting the season’s greatest hits. I was also growing a little mind. Plants grew between feedings and naps. Triumph was found on both fronts. My child is still alive, and all of the baskets grew appropriately for a spectacular season. Although… there were a few combinations that I will not be taking credit for, I blame the exhaustion!
This winter, I have taken on an entirely new skill set. Beyond being an article writer, a visual merchandiser, and a basket planter extraordinaire, I am adding the title of fashion designer to my list this year. For a very particular client, if I may boast, I am dressing none other than our famous Sasquatch. I will not be taking any critique this year; those of us in high fashion can do no better.
And after my grand debut. I will continue to plant the baskets for the spring. This year, I might set up a station where a little set of hands can sort some tags just like I did. Afterall, that is how the next big act will begin.
