Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Cynthia Stringham. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Cynthia thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear your thoughts about family businesses.

Navigating a family business is a bit like trying to sail a boat in unpredictable waters – especially when it’s manned by me, Thom (my life partner), and my energetic crew of four boys. A year into this adventure, it’s clear that love, loyalty, and a dash of spontaneity, while charming, aren’t the only ingredients needed for smooth sailing. The boys are great at pitching in with the grunt work, but let’s face it, they’re still kids. Their contributions, while valuable, are understandably limited. It’s fantastic they’re learning the value of hard work early on, but it’s a balancing act. I’m striving to instill work ethics without inadvertently scripting a childhood memoir titled “All Work and No Play.” And then there’s me and Thom, the spontaneous duo turned business partners, learning the hard art of time management. Spontaneity has its charms, but I’ve realized the hard way that if I don’t schedule family time like I do for work, it gets gobbled up by the insatiable appetite of business demands. So, I’m on this journey of setting boundaries, where ‘family time’ isn’t just a concept but a scheduled event, and where work doesn’t always get the lion’s share of my day. It’s tougher than anticipated, this balancing act between nurturing a business and nurturing a family, but perhaps the most important venture I’ve ever embarked upon. My goal this year, to really turn off the thoughts of work, while trying to be present with family. Right now, I have a lot of room for improvement.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hello there! I’m Cynthia, but most know me as “Melon” from my social media handle, Melon Monologues. My journey into the world of gardening began in my childhood, sneaking peas in my dad’s veggie garden and admiring my mom’s beautiful blooms. Today, I share this passion with my four boys, nurturing their appreciation for the garden. A few years ago, I left the corporate world to focus on what truly matters to me: my family and my love for gardening. This led to the creation of my Finsta account, where I enthusiastically (and sometimes excessively) share my gardening experiences. My candid and vibrant storytelling on this platform earned me the nickname “Melon” and drew a community of fellow plant lovers.

My passion blossomed into incredible opportunities. I became the host of PBS Utah’s Digital Series “Modern Gardener,” exploring the unique gardening landscape of Utah. The biggest leap, however, was taking over a 40-year-old nursery, the 42nd Street Greenhouse, with my husband. Here, we embarked on an exhilarating journey, remodeling our home in three weeks and nurturing a massive first season crop of 400,000 plants. Our adventure took an exciting turn when we started selling cuttings of heirloom perennial chrysanthemums, including the renowned Lehman chrysanthemum stock. At Heritage Mums, we offer 96 different varieties of these beautiful flowers, each with its own story. We’re not just selling plants; we’re cultivating laughter, growth, and the sheer joy of gardening. I invite you to join our quirky, vibrant community where every day is a new adventure, filled with garden mishaps, triumphs, and the eternal joy of a garden party that never ends.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

As someone who’s navigated the highs and lows of team management, I’ve learned a few key strategies for maintaining a motivated team. Firstly, clear and consistent communication is paramount. It’s not just about delegating tasks; it’s about creating an environment where everyone feels heard and valued. I hold regular team meetings to not only discuss project updates but also to encourage open dialogues about challenges and ideas. This fosters a sense of belonging and respect among team members. Additionally, recognizing and celebrating individual and team achievements is crucial. I make it a point to acknowledge even the small wins, whether it’s through a simple shout-out in a meeting or a more formal recognition. This not only boosts morale but also reinforces positive behaviors and outcomes.

Another vital aspect is to lead by example. I believe in demonstrating the work ethic, enthusiasm, and positivity I wish to see in my team. Showing empathy and understanding individual needs and challenges goes a long way in maintaining morale. Flexibility and adaptability are key – I stay open to feedback and am willing to adjust strategies to suit the team’s dynamics and the changing environment. Lastly, ensuring a healthy work-life balance is essential. Encouraging my team to take adequate breaks and respecting their time outside work helps prevent burnout and keeps everyone refreshed and motivated. With these practices, I’ve seen significant improvements in team morale and productivity, fostering an environment where everyone feels motivated and appreciated.

Let’s move on to buying businesses – can you talk to us about your experience with business acquisitions?

Oh, absolutely, I’ve dived into the deep end of buying businesses – twice, to be exact. The latest escapade? A chrysanthemum rooted cutting business. We had just five days to move out products from the previous owners. Talk about a crash course in snap decisions! Thankfully, our first business allowed for cash flow, so we could bootstrap this roller coaster. Would I recommend this high-speed approach to others? In a word, nope. It’s been a bit of a tornado, but I’ve been described as a tornado sooo…. That said, the price was right, my gut was giving a thumbs up, and sometimes, you just gotta ride the wave of spontaneity, right?

So, here we are with Heritage Mums, our latest brainchild where we deal in rooted cuttings of heirloom chrysanthemum plants. It’s still under wraps, as we are working on a few things with the website. There’s palpable excitement in the air about the mums, and I can’t help but think, despite the whirlwind acquisition, we might have struck gold (or should I say, green?). It’s a bit like buying a mystery box – you’re not quite sure what you’re going to get, but the anticipation is half the fun. Fingers crossed, Heritage Mums turns out to be the jewel in our entrepreneurial crown!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.heritagemums.com
• Instagram: @melonmonologues
• Facebook: @melonmonologues
• Linkedin: Cynthia Stringham
• Youtube: @moderngardener

Image Credits
@lizzyography