Describe your business. Did you find it, or did it find you?

Sierra Nursery has been serving the local community as a small, retail family-oriented business for the past 34 years. I worked in the nursery business growing up in Long Island, NY in the 1960s and loved it. So when we decided to buy a small community-based business and found the nursery for sale in early 2007 – it was a perfect match.

How are you involved with both the community and your customer?

We live and work in the community; our son goes to school here. We are all about being locally-owned and operated. I volunteer with a local nonprofit called A Touch of Understanding, which teaches kids to be accepting of others. I also substitute teach locally. We support local school sports and activities in a number of ways and we are active in the Roseville Chamber of Commerce. We also conduct an average of 15 educational gardening seminars each year at the nursery.

Why is your staff the best in the business?

Our mission statement is: “To transform our customer’s landscapes by providing quality plants and Earth-friendly, sustainable gardening practices.” We can only do that by attracting and keeping the best and the brightest staff in town. We are very proud of the fact that we have several staff members who are either a California Certified Nurseryperson (CCN), or have a degree in environmental horticulture. We also have two design consultants on staff who have done hundreds of consultations and landscape designs in the area over the years. Our people are what make us different from the rest; it really is that simple.

What life accomplishments are you most proud of?

Supporting my son who is on the Autistic Spectrum by being his advocate at his various schools over the years. And, obtaining my masters degree in my 50s.

What’s your favorite local business other than your own?

The Doggie Bag.

And finally, customer service is…?

Customer service is what makes us a viable, small community-based business. Our target clientele are precisely those people who value education and solid advice that will help them be successful gardeners. It defines us – plain and simple. At Sierra Nursery we are knowledgeable, friendly and local.