We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Karen Miller. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Karen below.
Karen, appreciate you joining us today. Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?
In hindsight, it truly feels like the launch of my business, Homegrown Gardens, was divinely timed. I had the concept of a turn-key garden business that offers custom designs, raised bed construction, organic plants and education several years prior to launching in the Spring of 2020. It wasn’t until the fall of 2019 that I started taking action on bringing this concept to life after listening to my intuition that was giving me a strong nudge to go for it. During this time I was getting my proverbial “business ducks in a row” of developing my website, landing on the right name, etc. March seemed to be a natural time to launch a garden business, which unknowingly happened to be the exact time COVID was ramping up in 2020. It truly was the perfect time to offer my services as we were all faced with unique challenges of being at home with uncertainty around food availability. It was off to the races to design and build 50-plus garden spaces while growing thousands of vegetable starter plants out of my garage. I think back to that pivotal – and quite magical – first year in business and feel honored to have been called to action in spreading so much joy, health and beauty during trying times. Since then, Homegrown Gardens has continued to expand it’s reach to various communities, positively impacting thousands of lives.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I am an entrepreneur who has merged an extreme passion for growing organic food and dreaming up designer garden spaces into a niche turn-key garden business. My path stems from various life chapters, each offering valuable contributions that are woven into my current position in life and expanding business. I grew up on a farm in Iowa where working with the land and having a garden was a non-negotiable way of life. As a child, I witnessed my father battle serious health conditions, which engrained the importance of establishing a healthy lifestyle and sparked my purpose to empower others to do the same. The belief system that “plants are medicine” has always deeply resonated with me, so I became a registered dietitian while expanding my garden expertise in my spare time.
My personal journey into functional gardening began after moving out of the city of Chicago into my first home in 2011. I converted an unused area into my first vegetable garden and quickly realized that planting haphazardly in a small space without a plan led to a messy, unappealing jungle as many garden staples like tomatoes, cucumbers and squash pump out lengthy vines. This inspired me to research how to organize plants in raised beds, grow vertically and establish dedicated paths in order to create a more functional and enjoyable garden experience. In 2016 I wanted to scale up my operation and had grand visions to convert a larger space into a garden utopia. I found a true diamond-in-the-rough property in Glen Ellyn, Illinois with a sizeable outdoor area overgrown with unhealthy trees. The complete overhaul and bold transformation of my own yard naturally garnered attention and momentum started to build. Over the next few years, as I helped family and friends create garden spaces of their own, the dream of Homegrown Gardens began to take shape. I recognized the opportunity to live authentically by fusing my core values — quality homegrown food, personal wellness and connection to nature — into a niche business that serves the community.
We custom build our boxes 2-3′ tall with a variety of trellis options, solving a slew of common garden problems. Growing in an elevated structure is kinder to the body as harvesting becomes a breeze when vegetables are at arms length versus on the ground, which also means critters are less likely to get your bounty! There is no need to worry about the health of your in-ground soil as the organic soil we install in the boxes is the perfect blend of compost, top soil and sand for proper drainage and significantly fewer weeds. My functional designs include dedicated paths for adequate workspace and a combination of vertical structures to support the robust growth of vines throughout the season. Linear trellises add a lush green wall for privacy while rustic arbors and cattle panel trellises create an inviting tunnel to usher you into the garden. You can never have too many vertical growing options as crop rotation is vital to the long-term health of your garden.
Homegrown Gardens is in the business of building luxurious garden spaces for families to connect and create memories in while embracing a garden-to-table lifestyle. During the initial consultation, an overall vision is co-created that aligns with the client’s needs and budget. From a functional and artistic standpoint, designs often feature trellising, which creates vertical, lush green walls adding to the organic beauty of the space. More sophisticated projects include custom irrigation systems, professional lighting, firepit areas, hardscape patios, decomposed granite paths, perennial beds and even garden sheds. After the construction phase is complete, we offer planting services to bring your garden to life and sessions throughout the season for ongoing support and education. All plants are organic and grown locally in Winfield. They are nurtured to a healthy maturity level to ensure success for even the most novice gardener, which equates to a successful garden season and bountiful harvest!
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
Given that Homegrown Gardens is in the business of creating jaw-dropping garden oases – oftentimes starting from a blank canvas or unusable space – it was an easy decision to hire a professional videographer to capture the unique story that goes along with each stunning backyard transformation. There is also so much to learn when you embark on your gardening journey, so we create content that is both uplifting and valuable for my audiences across Instagram, YouTube and TikTok platforms. If you’re just starting to build your audience on social media platforms, I would advise to stay authentic to you and your brand in order to attract the right audience that resonates with your passions and offerings. Simply put, your vibe attracts your tribe.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
Springtime is when I grow an impressive amount of organic veggies and herbs from non-GMO seed for my clients. In my third year of business, I grew close to 3,000 plants out of my garage and it became apparent that it was time to scale up my operations as I was busting at the seams. As hard as it was for me to let go of an outdoor space I put so much love and care into in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, I knew in my heart it was time to pass the torch on Homegrown Gardens 1.0 and expand into something much bigger. In the fall of 2022 I took the leap and purchased a 2.3 acre property with loads of untapped potential in nearby Winfield, Illinois where I am currently spreading my wings and tackling my largest transformation yet.
If there is one thing I’m known for, it’s my ability to envision and maximize potential in any space. Behind the scenes I have been in the dreaming phase of what Homegrown Gardens 2.0 will look like since I’ve moved in nearly two years ago. I’m about to bring these dreams to life starting with a stunning 40’ long greenhouse as the backdrop to my new expansive garden space. Future plans include creating a multilevel she-shed with a balcony overlooking the garden and stylish she-coop to match for my backyard chickens. I plan on becoming a beekeeper, planting a variety of fruit trees in an oversized orchard, and establishing a vineyard with pollinator-friendly perennial beds throughout the property.
It brings me so much joy and purpose to help others discover the magic of gardening coupled with the health, happiness and abundance that comes with it. My vision is to spread the love of gardening on a larger scale by creating a true sanctuary and event space for people to gather at. Imagine garden-to-table meals, yoga in the greenhouse, and simply taking time to connect with nature to recharge and fill your cup. As a proper Iowa farm girl would, I live by the mantra “If you build it, they will come.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.homegrowngardenschicago.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homegrowngardenschicago/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/homegrowngardenschicago/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@homegrowngardens
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@homegrowngardens
Image Credits
Christina Russo Photography