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Building Community at The Growing Place

Siblings Becca and Michael Massat carry forward a family tradition while building a team that feels like family. At The Growing Place in Aurora and Naperville, Illinois, the transition from second-generation to third-generation leadership isn’t simply a passing of the torch, but a thoughtful blending of legacy and reinvention. Siblings Becca and Michael Massat grew […]

Building a Career, One Connection at a Time

For Sayde Heckman, the HortScholar program was more than just a professional development opportunity—it was the turning point that shaped her career. Heckman, who earned her bachelor’s degree in plant science from the University of Missouri, applied to the program in 2016 at her advisor Mary Ann Gowdy’s encouragement. “It sounded like a really cool […]

Building Systems, Teams, and Trust at Oakland Green Interiors

For Genevieve Mills, growth has gone beyond expanding client lists in interior and exterior plant design. In her roles as Director of Oakland Green Interiors and Chief Operating Officer and In-House Counsel of Oakland Nurseries in Columbus, Ohio, she has prioritized developing strong internal systems to set the stage for long-term success. Several years ago, […]

Tax Planning for Horticulture Ahead of 2026

By Tommy Irvine, Lead Agriculture Advisor, Pinion Horticulture businesses, like other agricultural operations, are often met with both challenges and opportunities when it comes to tax planning. From depreciation strategies, inventory management, and yield projections, to ag-focused tax credits and incentives, income averaging, entity structure, estate planning, and accounting methods — there are many important […]

Diversifying Revenue Streams in Garden Centers

How independent garden centers are creating opportunities to boost revenue and loyalty. Independent garden centers are finding that offering alternative products and services keep customers visiting year-round, not just during peak seasons. Online and big-box competition is intensifying, and shoppers expect more than a simple checkout transaction alone. Customers want services, experiences, and a sense […]

Mastering Career Development Planning

By Neal Glatt, Founder & CEO, Neal Glatt Sales & Strategy When employees leave companies, the core reason usually comes down to hope: hope that a new pay bracket will afford them the lifestyle they desire, hope that the new role will better leverage their strengths daily, or hope that the new team and leadership […]

Supreme Court Casts Doubt on IEEPA-based Tariffs; Decision Now in the Justices’ Hands 

The Supreme Court heard nearly three hours of oral argument on whether the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) of 1977 authorizes a president to impose broad, across-the-board tariffs. Several justices, including conservatives such as Chief Justice Roberts and Justices Gorsuch, Barrett, and Kavanaugh, pressed the government on two fronts: first, whether tariffs function as […]

Workplace Stress

By Andy Sawan, Sedgwick Stress is a growing concern across many industries because it can affect not only workers’ well-being but also safety and productivity in the workplace. It affects employees in a number of ways including their mental and physical health, staying focused on the job at hand and maintaining awareness of their surroundings. […]