We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nicole Holland. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nicole below.
Nicole, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?
Leaving a very comfortable landscaping career in the low desert and investing in Cactus Mart on the heels of a long recession. I had many important people tell me they didn’t think “now was the time” considering the real estate bubble bursting and nobody knew where Morongo Valley was. This was still pre social media frenzy. Not much was happening in the high desert in those days. But I really loved this place and grew up shopping here and always loved the originality it brought. I trusted my gut and heart that I belonged here.
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.
Growing up in the desert between high and low I got to travel a lot back and forth to see family. Spending most of my time outdoors hiking, exploring, discovering nature being outdoors was my natural habitat. I started working for a landscaping company in the low desert in my 20’s and started to get even more into plants, cactus, native flora… etc. seeing what worked and how and what struggles in the intense heat and the requirements for successful growth. Working outside in the desert summers here you learn real quick about discipline and why you start at sunrise and finish by early afternoon.
It’s a discipline I still keep.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Resilience… ? Following my passion even when the odds and others tell you not to. Plus, not to operate from fear. If you really believe in something. (Yourself) you go for it! I traveled a lot as a kid and saw a lot of those old desert Barron towns where they offered you interesting, exciting experiences or stops….”petrified wood in the deserts of Arizona” and it was something to look forward to in our long travels, that’s the same vibe I want to keep going here I know people travel long distances to come to the desert to see Joshua tree or to see Palm Springs or Coachella. They’ve made a trek. I want it to be worth it when they get to us…experience the desert. Dig your own cactus. See our goats, tortoise habitat, chickens running around literally and of course our cats.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Having a great staff and clientele. I couldn’t ask for more.
Hearing everyone’s stories and we all share a common bond. Just living the best life as simple as possible. 
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cactusmart.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/cactus_mart?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
Image Credits
Cactus mart