“I worked in the family business growing up and decided to continue on doing things ‘the same’ but in my way.”
Wendy Lund of C.R.Mines Propagation grew up in the nursery industry. Wendy’s family have always owned and or operated nurseries of various sorts. She was weeding, cutting and potting plants from a very young age, and when her friends were getting part-time jobs, Wendy was an experienced nurseryhand. “I think that I fell into my business. I worked in the family business growing up, and when I left school I had a gap year and just decided to continue on doing things ‘the same’ but in my way!”
Wendy started C.R.Mines Propagation in 1990 and collaborates with wholesale nurseries so they have ‘potting-ready’ quality tubes in stock to maximise their seasonal growth. She does this by consulting and working together to build a Nursery Growth Maximisation Plan.
“I find Suzi and the other members so inspirational. It is so great to have other business owners to discuss things with and to throw ideas about.”
Wendy has been a HerBusiness Network member for over 12 months now and says that she finds Suzi and the other members so inspirational. “It is so great to have other business owners to discuss things with and to throw ideas about.”
Wendy takes full advantage of the accountability within the Network. She loves her Growth Group, the various member only events and the library of information. Wendy shares that the events are so well timed, “It seems just when you are starting to lose some mojo, the next event is on and you are back to full steam!”
Who’s your favourite entrepreneur and why?
In recent times it is definitely Suzi Dafnis. She has become a complete inspiration for me. She is so real. I admire her enthusiasm, her honesty and her grit.
Why did you start your business and what gave you the idea?
I think that I fell into my business. I worked in the family business growing up and when I left school I had a gap year and just decided to continue on doing things ‘the same’ but in my way!
What do you enjoy most about running your own business?
I think probably the flexability…at times!! I could always drop my kids at school and pick them up in the early days. Not that I necessarily had shorter days, just flexible.
I also love the challenge!
What three pieces of advice do you wish you’d been given when you started?
- Delegate!!!!
- Know your numbers from the get go!
- Give yourself credit.
What advice would YOU give someone thinking about starting a business?
- Listen to the HerBusiness podcast.
- Know your numbers and try to have some sort of budget to work towards.
- Be confident, even if you have to fake it til you make it just a bit.
- Be prepared for big highs but also some big lows.
- Don’t ever think it is easier than a 9 to 5.
What skills and knowledge areas would you recommend those starting out in business get acquainted with quickly?
- Costings and budgeting.
- Basic business laws and regulations.
- Leadership skills.
What does your IDEAL business look like? Even if you’re not there yet, what would it look like if your business was ideal?
Ideally my business would be able to run independently of me being present each day. I would be able to deep dive into research for better practices and new innovations…..exciting stuff.
The business would be running smoothly and be profitable..
What problem does being a Member of the HerBusiness Network solve for you and your business? And, how?
Being a member of HerBusiness is amazing. I find Suzi and the other members so inspirational. It is so great to have other business owners to discuss things with and to throw ideas about.
I love the growth groups, I love the various online events and the library of information. Events are so well timed, it seems just when you are starting to loose some mojo, the next event is on and you are back to full steam!
Learn more about Wendy and C.R.Mines Propagation.
