32 / SEEDWORLD.COM FEBRUARY 2018 “We wanted to offer a seed packet line to garden centers that was different from anything offered in chain stores and one that taught consumers how to garden.” In 2008, the company expanded its offerings and started shipping seeds directly to customers. Today, Botanical Interests sells more than 650 organic seed varieties, has 48 employees and ships to 12 million across the country to 4,000 outlets that include garden centers, gourmet grocery stores and some hard- ware stores. “Botanical Interests has always been a labor of love,” Seaborn stresses. “We wanted a line that was special, educational and beautiful. And we wanted to offer our stores marketing support and options. Also, we wanted to create a place where people enjoyed working. We’re very lucky to have a staff that shares our commitments. At a certain point in any company’s growth, it’s no longer about the founders, but about the talent within the company that continues to propel it forward.” Getting Botanical Interests to the success it is today has not been without its obstacles. Seaborn cites change as the main challenge over the past two decades. “I feel like I have led three different companies,” she says. “The startup, the growing company and the midsize company. And each has had different needs. It was sometimes a painful learn- ing experience. I have had to restructure the company each time. But, each time we came out better and stronger. We have been able to embrace change as a constant.” Seaborn smiles and likes to say that problem-solving is easy… once you know what the problem is. “You can’t come up with the answer until you know what the correct question is, and that as soon as you correct that problem or bottleneck, you need to be looking for the next one. I also like to tell my co-workers that if our hair is on fire, we are doing something wrong. There is no reason to be stressed out if we are working from a good plan.” As for what is next for Botanical Interests, Seaborn says she is especially excited about the upcoming season. “We will continue to invest in what we believe in. We have so many improvements that include launching a new packet design, as well as non-GMO verified certification. We will soon be launch- ing a special-order program that allows consumers to order at the store from our entire selection of seed and products, and have the order delivered to their house. No need for our custom- ers to go to Amazon! We will continue to be cutting edge for our stores, and fun, inspiring and educational for our consumers.” Seaborn does stress that she would not be where she is today if it were not for her father’s fortitude — which she definitely inherited. Tragically, her father died in a plane crash just two weeks before her wedding in 1992, but she says, “The thing about him was if he wanted to do something, he did it. So, I learned from him. You may die a pauper or you may die with a few toys in your posi- tion, but that doesn’t really matter. What matters is, did you try?” She adds that there have been more than a few times that she worried Botanical Interests would fail and that she would end up a pauper, “but even if that was going to be the outcome, I was happy that we tried.” SW Download the Seed World Mobile App For Free! DOWNLOAD FOR IPHONE DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID Scan the code with your mobile device to download our app! Scan the code with your mobile device to download our app! Stay connected and engaged with all the latest news trending in the global seed industry. Features: Easy click or swipe menu navigation iOS and Android mobile and tablet versions Current stories at a glance Enlarged text for easy reading ü ü ü ü Sponsored by: