Reed, CEO/Founder at Revival Roots & Revival Roots Nursery: Advize Career Interview
A Cornell University graduate with a background in agricultural and life sciences, Reed's career journey began with childhood agricultural experiences and progressed through internships at Roots Organic Farm and corporate roles at Dermalogica and Discovery Networks.
This diverse experience culminated in founding Revival Roots & Revival Roots Nursery, where leadership responsibilities encompass brand representation, team management, client relations, and strategic planning.
Daily activities range from team meetings and client interactions to vendor management and garden installations, showcasing the multifaceted nature of leading a horticulture business.
Success in this role, according to Reed, requires excellent communication, a strong work ethic, and a customer-centric approach. The most rewarding aspects include business growth, fulfilling client dreams, and building a passionate team.
While challenges exist, including unexpected issues like rodent infestations, proactive problem-solving is key. A deep passion for plants and food, along with practical experience, is crucial for success in the industry.
Starting a business, Reed emphasizes, demands significant energy and commitment, with team management proving especially vital. Entry-level opportunities abound, and even informal gardening experience is valuable.
Finally, a commitment to service and exceeding client expectations are paramount to building a thriving horticultural business.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Reed Newman
CEO/Founder
Revival Roots & Revival Roots Nursery
Cornell University, Class of 2016
NA
Environmental & Related Sciences
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting
Entrepreneurship and Business Owner
Greek Life Member, LGBTQ
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Career Path Of A Founder At Revival Roots And Revival Roots Nursery
Reed's career path began with childhood experiences in agriculture, influencing their Cornell University education in agricultural and life sciences. Post-college, a progression of internships—from a hands-on role at Roots Organic Farm where they "learned so much...practical knowledge," to corporate experiences at Dermalogica and Discovery Networks—culminated in starting their own company, Revival Roots, combining their passion for agriculture and business acumen gained through diverse professional experiences.
Main Responsibilities of a CEO Founder at Revival Roots Nursery
As CEO/Founder, Reed's main responsibilities include being "the face of the brand," selling the vision internally and externally, and managing the team to ensure everyone feels supported and engaged in creating value for clients. A significant portion of their time is dedicated to client relations, actively seeking feedback to refine services, while also strategically planning for future growth to ensure the company's vision continues to evolve.
A Day In The Life Of A CEO And Founder At Revival Roots Nursery
A day in the life of Reed, CEO/Founder of Revival Roots & Revival Roots Nursery, is a dynamic mix of team meetings ("Monday starts off with an All Hands meeting"), client interaction (designing garden layouts and visiting client homes), vendor management ("maintaining those relationships is like maintaining any relationship"), and new garden installations. This reflects the multifaceted nature of leading a company focused on living, growing things, requiring a blend of strategic planning, hands-on work, and strong relationship building to ensure success.
Most Important Skills for a CEO and Founder at Revival Roots
For a CEO/Founder like Reed, success hinges on "creating value for the customer" through excellent communication and professional conduct, even involving physically demanding tasks; the ability to embrace hard work and view the customer as "the boss" is paramount to their success.
Favorite Parts of Being a CEO and Founder at Revival Roots Nursery
Reed, CEO/Founder of Revival Roots & Revival Roots Nursery, finds the most rewarding aspects of the role to be "growing a business" and fulfilling customers' dreams of home gardening, finding this "very rewarding." Building a passionate team sharing a common goal of providing food is also a key source of enjoyment for Reed.
Biggest Challenges Faced By A Founder At Revival Roots And Revival Roots Nursery
The biggest challenge for the CEO/Founder of Revival Roots & Revival Roots Nursery is handling the myriad of issues that arise, from client concerns to, as the interviewee puts it, "a rodent [that] came in the middle of the night and ate the entire garden." The most insightful advice offered is to address these challenges "quickly and thoughtfully," preventing smaller problems from escalating.
Favorite Parts of Working in the Agriculture Industry as a CEO Founder
Revival Roots' CEO/Founder, Reed, finds deep satisfaction in contributing to food security by empowering people to grow their own food, stating that "being able to provide the ability for people to grow food at home is huge." The resurgence of interest in agriculture, driven by movements like farm-to-table, excites Reed, who observes a renewed passion among younger generations to transform the industry.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Horticulture Industry According To A CEO And Founder At Revival Roots Nursery
To thrive in the horticultural industry, a passion for plants and food is paramount; "If you don't care about it, there will always be someone better than you". Reed, CEO/Founder of Revival Roots & Revival Roots Nursery, advises gaining practical experience within the industry before starting a business, echoing Jane Wurwand's advice to "work first in the industry...learn all the rules so you can eventually break them".
What a CEO Founder at Revival Roots Nursery Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Nursery Industry
Reed, CEO/Founder of Revival Roots & Revival Roots Nursery, learned that business growth directly correlates to the energy invested, emphasizing that "the possibilities are endless...but you are accountable for how far your business goes." Furthermore, team management demands a significant time and mental commitment, proving crucial for success and yielding "Dividends for your business a million times over."
Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Horticulturists
Numerous entry-level agricultural positions exist, from working on farms ("tons of available positions") to participating in programs like WWOOFing, which provides housing and meals in exchange for farm work. Revival Roots, the interviewee's company, values passion and willingness to learn over formal experience for its entry-level garden specialist roles, suggesting that even informal gardening experience, like tending a home garden, can be valuable.
Significant Career Lesson from a CEO and Founder at Revival Roots Nursery
The CEO/Founder of Revival Roots & Revival Roots Nursery learned that "being of service" is crucial for career success; this means exceeding expectations, such as "cleaning the whole garden space," to foster strong client relationships built on exceptional service and positive word-of-mouth referrals.
College Experiences That Helped A Founder At Revival Roots Nursery Succeed
Reed's Cornell experience highlights two key factors contributing to their career success: pursuing academic passions, specifically taking "a lot of classes in plant science," which fueled their interest in the field; and developing leadership skills through Greek life, where they actively sought and held various leadership roles, learning to "deal with hard issues and how to deal with a team." This combination of technical expertise and leadership experience proved invaluable in building their career.
Advizer Personal Links
revivalroots.com & revivalrootsnursery.com