We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Laurie Troppito-Brewer. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Laurie below.

Laurie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?

This is an easy question! While small business owner is an all consuming challenge, I would not do anything else!! On the really hard days I day dream of clocking in and out, but when I am really honest I never had that mind set.The best part of my job is the owner part. Creating the vision, environment, and brand that makes our customers and teams lives easier and more beautiful is the driving force.

Laurie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I kind of stumbled into gardening, and grew into business ownership. During my senior year of college I took a Summer job as a gardener, to continue learning about color, shape and 3-D forms. That was it! One Summer outside and I couldn’t bare being locked up in a dark dusty studio again. About 8 years later I interviewed a fascinating man, eventually he asked me to marry him. When I became pregnant it was time to grow our family. That is when Philly Lily really took off; giving me the opportunity to create a business that focuses on cultivating sustainable gardens with the right plants for our climate and earth in the right spot for our customers. Our company thrives on implementing one of a kind solutions to your garden issues, whether they are curb appeal, needing shade, or taking the task off your plate. We utilize plants, planters, stone, metal, and wood so no two gardens are the same.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

Doing the right thing. We all make mistakes, choose a plant that doesn’t work, or think we have mastered a skill that is beyond our grasp, the trick is how you move past it. We keep open lines of communication with our customers, admit when we are wrong and figure out the best solution. We have one amazing customer with the !worst! soil. She has full clay, a hill that doesn’t drain,spots that are too wet and too dry next to each other, full sun, full shade, and 21 deer who like to browse. She also has an amazing sense of humor, and a desire for a great garden. We have reworked the irrigation, twice, replaced most of the plants at least once, tried new species, constantly amended the soil, and neither of us have given up. She has also given our number to most of her friends with gardens, is one of our biggest fans, and has become a great friend.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Almost every new customer has been word of mouth. We have all the required social media, website, email blasts, but a recommendation from a friend will always hold more weight. One of my favorite things we offer is to host a happy hour for our customers once their garden is complete. This is such a fun way to kick off new blooms and patios. We create a menu that speaks to and uses as much of the new garden space as possible. We are about to kick off a new pergola and herb garden with thyme lemonade & lattice shortbread tarts. We have been blessed with the greatest customers, so many of them becoming the best of our friends. It has been the honor of my work to be included in the families of so many when it all started off with a garden.

Contact Info:

• Website: phillylily.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phillylilyllc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhillyLilyllc
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurie-troppito-86110581/