Today, we’d like to introduce you to Cynthia Stringham.
Hi Cynthia, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
The journey began in late 2022 when my husband and I were presented with an incredible opportunity. A local business owner approached us about buying her property and continuing the 40-year legacy of the 42nd Street Greenhouse. Taking on this venture was the most daunting challenge we had ever faced. Managing and selling over 400,000 plants was an adventure like no other.
As the greenhouse season wrapped up in mid-June, fate had another surprise for us. An online gardening company reached out with an offer that was too intriguing to pass up: acquiring a chrysanthemum collection that traced its roots back to Faribault, Minnesota, in the 1930s. Initially, the equipment caught my eye, given my limited experience with chrysanthemums, which until then had been confined to the mum pots one finds at big-box stores in the fall.
However, when we welcomed the equipment and the mums into our lives and as we deliberated over starting another business, the mums began to bloom. It was love at first sight. I was awestruck by their beauty, having never realized the full splendor of chrysanthemums. Diving into the history of these flowers and learning about their origins with the Lehman Family in the 1930s, we knew we couldn’t let this piece of horticultural history fade away.
Embarking on this business venture, we’ve decided to take things slow, especially since we’re also nurturing our greenhouse retail business. To connect with an audience that appreciates heirloom garden chrysanthemums, we’re venturing into the e-commerce market. But rather than unleashing all 100 varieties we possess, we’re concentrating on 20 favorites in 2024. We’ve limited our quantities and selling window as we navigate this new territory.
The interest we’ve encountered has been overwhelming, and I eagerly await the day we feel fully confident in managing both businesses. I can’t wait to see how Heritage Mums blossoms in the time to come.
We all face challenges, but would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Is the road ever truly smooth? Reflecting on this latest chapter of my life, I’ve come to see it as a profound learning experience. There’s so much I’ve realized I need to learn, and I’m continuously picking up new lessons through this journey. One thing I’ve observed: every time I’ve hit a roadblock, it seems the universe conspires to bring someone incredible into my life to help me navigate the challenge.
Take, for example, a dear friend of mine, a perfect embodiment of this serendipity. My skills in website development are, to put it mildly, basic. Knowing this, she stepped into my world like a guardian angel. With her expertise and a few late-night sessions that burned well past midnight, she crafted a beautiful and fully functional website. It was nothing short of miraculous.
Her act of kindness didn’t just solve a problem; it reinforced a valuable lesson about community, support, and the unexpected ways we learn and grow. In the grand tapestry of this journey, each thread of challenge is intertwined with opportunities for learning and moments of grace, thanks to the amazing people we meet along the way.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Heritage Mums?
Right now, it’s just my partner, our four dynamic boys, and a circle of phenomenal individuals who pour their heart and soul into making our business thrive. One standout star is my dear friend Andrea, the unsung hero of our chrysanthemum operations. Together, we’ve lovingly tended to each of those baby plants, ensuring they’re ready for their journey to gardens across the U.S.
What really fills me with pride is our team’s insatiable curiosity. We’re not afraid to dive into uncharted waters, experiment with something new, and embrace the difference. This adventurous spirit is matched only by our unwavering commitment to quality. Believe me, if there’s one thing that has consumed all our energy this past year, it’s ensuring that everything we produce meets the highest standard possible.
In a nutshell, we’re a small but formidable team driven by innovation and a dedication to excellence. That’s the heartbeat of our business, and it’s what we hope shines through in every plant we send out into the world.
Any big plans?
Oof! That’s a loaded question! We are looking forward to a lot, but before we get ahead of ourselves, we are putting all our energy into the 2024 growing season. That said, we are excited to open more of our collection in 2025 and find ways to show off these incredible blooms.
Pricing:
- Each mum plug is $5.95 with a minimum purchase of 6 mums.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.heritagemums.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/heritagemums
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heritagemums/
