We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Rachel Nisch. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Rachel below.

Rachel, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.

Graye’s Greenhouse is about as close to a community gathering space as a for-profit business can be. Sure, it means inefficiencies in production and smaller profit margins, but it’s why we have a kind and loyal customer base, and frankly, why the greenhouse feels like a worthwhile pursuit.

Trending for several years now, houseplants are not hard to find. Every box store from Lowe’s to Ikea sells plants, and the internet is full of houseplant enthusiasts selling starts from their personal collections. So while Graye’s specializes in houseplants (and increasingly native perennials, vegetable starts, and specialty annuals), it’s our approach to business, more than our product, that keeps us going. Our approach to business: engage with greenhouse visitors honestly and openly, help folks however we can, seek out and say yes to opportunities to be involved in the community. Oh, and grow healthy happy plant babies!

In its almost 100 years, Graye’s has earned the reputation as the place to bring struggling inherited plants with immense sentimental value, unwieldy cactus that need wrangling, bits and pieces of cool plant specimen, extra newspaper for this and that, used pots and planters, plant collections from deceased relatives, etc. We regularly help propagate Grandma’s Christmas Cactus, repot a Peace Lily from Dad’s funeral, identify pest damage from a plant sample in a Ziploc baggie, and help a teacher plan a plant project for their students. Customers bring in treats for our greenhouse kitties, smoked fish from trips up north, homemade cookies around holiday times, and cold drinks for staff on hot summer days.

Our way of operating is far from the corporate standard. It takes time that doesn’t directly translate to money. But it creates a space that the community values.

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?

My involvement with the greenhouse came out of the desire to work with my hands in the dirt for as much of the year as possible. I had been going to Graye’s since I was a kid, and the place has always been special. The smell of the dirt floors and humid air, the free-roaming kitties, and the overgrown lushness of the old glass house in the middle of metro Detroit has always held some magic for me (and plenty others).

At Graye’s, we specialize in houseplants, unique and native perennials for the garden, and vegetable starts in the Spring. We propagate the majority of what sell, so visitors to greenhouse get to see every stage of plant and process. Beyond our eclectic plant collection, the greenhouse structure itself sets us apart. In the past few years, we’ve focused on expanding the use of the space for community events, workshops, and intimate weddings. Graye’s has become a hub for showcasing local artists, a meeting place for plant groups and book clubs, and a “happy place” for many.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Owning a small business in a world of constantly shifting trends and competitors means a constant state of pivot. Graye’s Greenhouse has a long history in the community and it walks the curious line of being both unknown and deeply cherished. As its new(ish) owner, I understand the need to maintain the charm and vibe that make the greenhouse special to so many, while pivoting toward new revenue opportunities. In the past 5 years, I’ve imagined the greenhouse moving in lots of directions and still feel like I haven’t found ‘the thing’ that will sustain the business longterm. A few years back, I was working on plans for the greenhouse to become a 100 person wedding venue before realizing that it’s much better suited for intimate occasions of up to 30 people. I’ve considered a landscaping branch of the business, renting space on the property to a separate compatible business or even an entirely unassociated entity. I’ve thought about a more ambitious retail component with a dedicated space outside the greenhouse, or a hyper-personalized interior greenscape concept.

This answer is less about a specific pivot I can point to and the business’s subsequent new horizon, and more to say existing as a small business IS a pivot. Big box stores and corporations make the tides that small businesses then have to navigate. Luckily, we are flexible and enjoy huge community support, which keeps us afloat on the high seas!

Can you talk to us about your experience with buying businesses?

I purchased a business that had been in the same family for three generations, since it’s construction and establishment in 1928. I knew and loved the greenhouse since I was a kid, which motivated the purchase despite the challenges. I worked with the previous owners for three years prior to the purchase, learning the business, gaining acceptance by the community, and basically becoming part of the family. Buying a business that was already loved by its customers and known for its warmth, expertise, and quality product was hugely helpful. Having such a positive relationship ongoing relationship with the previous owners is invaluable.

The acquisition process itself was definitely challenging and a huge high stakes learning opportunity. The property essentially hadn’t changed hands since its inception, and the business and its buildings predated zoning, so there were plenty of meetings with the township, inspections, appraisals, etc. Inheriting a collection of historic buildings continues to be a blessing and a curse. The amount of history is incredible and exciting, and the list of repairs is endless.

Contact Info:

• Website: grayesgreenhouse.com
• Instagram: grayesgreenhouse