Inspired to to create her dream garden from a mud pit, Lizzie’s career has flourished.
It all started when Lizzie moved into her new build property and was faced with a pile of mud and rubble to transform into a garden. Lizzie took that challenge head-on, unaware that this gardening task would spark her entrepreneurial spirit and that a successful business would be built upon the foundations of her new build garden.
With a blank canvas, Lizzie set out to make the very most of her muddy new build garden. Enthusiastically, Lizzie ordered flower seeds, but upon arrival was disappointed to find that “the seeds arrived in a bashed up white envelope alongside adverts for frumpy items like elasticated waistband trousers and cruise holiday brochures.” That moment planted seed in Lizzie’s mind.
Seeds of success
The Rose Press Garden is a business that was born in lock down that offers a modern approach to gardening, using easy-to-follow guides and subscription boxes of seeds and bulbs for every flowering season. The Rose Press garden has cultivated a loyal social media following that has transformed into thriving garden community where they share photos and get advice and encouragement. Lizzie say that her online presence has “helped me reach new customers, share customer photos and create a community online. I love how everyone who is signed up the gardening flower seed and bulb subscription can share their pictures and experiences together.” Lizzie also uses videos on her dedicated YouTube Channel to share valuable planting information specifically for new gardeners.
“Social media has been a huge influence on my business as it has enabled me to show others how easy and fun it can be creating your own beautiful garden.”
Lizzie, The Rose Press Garden.
It’s hard to believe that The Rose Press Garden did not exist 7 months ago, that was when Lizzie ordered a pack of seeds that reshaped her career.
I had this moment where I wanted to scream ‘young people garden too’- I was so frustrated that gardening wasn’t being advertised to a younger generation, yet in lock down, so many new gardeners were trying it for the first time.
There was no brand out there that I felt was speaking to me in the gardening space, so I decided to create my own business and brand… and the idea for a modern gardening brand was born.”
Before The Rose Press Gardens was born, Lizzie’s roots were in marketing. Lizzie worked for many renowned brands such as Tabasco, Dorset Cereals and Hartley’s Jelly. Her flair for marketing has now been transferred into her colourful and vibrant brand and packaging designs. With illustrative and colourful how-to guides included with each order.
Growing the business
The Rose Press Garden name came from her new home, which was named after her late God Mother. Lizzie garden is her biggest advocate which features on her social media. It’s a wonderful cottage garden with beds of swathes of scented flowers. The front of the house is pretty with climbing roses, she regularly gets compliments from passes by.
Like every gardener, Lizzie was faced with a set of her own unique challenges with her own garden.
“My biggest gardening challenge so far was just knowing where to start on my new build garden, and the heavy clay soil in my garden, but since digging out the beds I have loved every second of making it.”
Gardening can be expensive, especially for a beginner, but Lizzie says “A few pounds for a packet of seeds can give you hundreds of plants! Yet, if you buy fully-sized plants in the garden centre then you can end up spending hundreds. Try to constantly sow seeds and plant bulbs throughout the year so you spread the costs, and this is EXACTLY why I started my gardening monthly flower seed and bulbs subscription. It gives you impact throughout the year, extends the flowering seasons and it keeps the cost down!”.
A Rosie Future
With every new and growing business, there are hurdles, Lizzie says “the biggest challenge of running the business has been cash flow! I started the business with all my own savings and as the business is growing (which is wonderful and exciting), it also means the expenses and items I have to buy come in larger quantities. I am so lucky to run this business, but it is really hard work at times, so it’s a good job I absolutely love it!”
“Monthly boxes of happy post full of flower seeds and bulbs delivered straight to you.”
So what’s next for The Rose Press Garden? “I’m about to launch my garden design online and in-person services which I think is so exciting for anyone who is looking at a blank canvas or has a mature garden and isn’t sure where to start. I’ll be focusing on the soft landscaping and offering suggestions for border shapes and how to fill them with gorgeous plants.”
“The pre-order for autumn planting bulbs launches soon too and I can’t wait to share all the gorgeous bulb collections and colour combinations I have this year! “
Lizzie’s Gardening Tips
Lizzie has offered some free advice for Rated Street readers to get you outdoors this summer:
- Get started and give a go. Get your hands dirty, don’t fret too much about the instructions as we all make mistakes
- Try to grow a few things for the start of the year (eg tulips and daffodils) and a few things for later in the season (eg Dahlias) so that you have colour at each end of the season!
- Have fun and don’t take it too seriously- you’ll soon realise how addictive it is and enjoy every second!
We can’t wait to see what the rest of the year has in store for Lizzie and The Rose press garden.
You can find Lizzie and her business The Rose Press Garden @therosepressgarden
Visit her website: The Rose Press Garden