Meet Emily Leoni of Tau Gardens

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Emily Leoni.

Hi Emily, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
It all started with a simple desire to change my career.

My husband, Mark, and I met while we were both working on a horse farm in 2008. We went from mucking stalls and providing the care and feeding of some beautiful beasts to managing three large facilities before the local equine vet scooped me up to be his assistant. I spent six years there, all the while missing working with Mark.

So, I applied for a job in a greenhouse with absolutely no experience other than growing our own vegetables every year. It was a huge leap for me. When I was hired, the owner told me she was interested in selling the farm. I ran home and told Mark. Owning our own farm had always been our dream. We had tried purchasing farms before, and it never happened. It wasn’t the right time.

I worked the 2019 spring season at the greenhouse and filled my brain with as much information as I could. I learned about all the flowers, plants, watering, soil, fertilizer, pest control, ordering, and what plants grew best in all areas of the greenhouses. Moving, working, breaking, sweating! It was so intense, and I loved every minute of it. We finally had the discussion, and the option to buy was on the table. Mark and I had always made a great team; we still do, so the opportunity to buy a farm and work together again was all it took. Mark could grow anything and I had the flower knowledge. I like to think I have beginner’s luck.

Setting up a brand-new business was so challenging. There was so much to do: Lawyers, CPAs, vendors, brokers, and the banks! In September 2019, we signed the papers. It was ours. We became Tau Gardens. We designed a beautiful logo, erected our sign, and plunged headlong into the business of growing. We had a slow and rough start. Fall offerings in the greenhouse business are slim; we had pumpkins and mums. Period. So, we focused on the here and now while we waited for any money to be made.

Fall quickly turned into winter. We knew that the former owner had a decent Christmas business, so we decided to try our hand. First-time charm is my motto. We were also fortunate to have an employee stay on, and she taught us all we needed to know about wreaths, grave blankets, and other holiday decor. We managed to do pretty decently and sighed with relief.

Soon, we were on the heels of our first spring. Plants, plastic, soil, and hard goods were purchased. Planting started in late February 2020, and we spent eight weeks growing and nurturing our flowers, vegetables, and herbs. We were so excited for the coming season. Everything was in its place!

Then came the pandemic. Businesses were ordered closed, and people were quarantined. Sheer panic set in. Our plants were ready to be sold. Not knowing what to do, I reached out to the grower community. I had a very memorable conversation with one of my wholesalers. I needed guidance and advice. He had been in the industry his whole life, but when he told me to try and “hold” the plants, turn down the furnaces, and stop watering, I did the exact opposite. I kept going.

A few days later, the governor finally allowed garden centers to open. Our plants were beautiful and full of flowers. Customers streamed into our parking lot.

We sold out of everything we grew! The greenhouse industry had not seen a year like 2020 ever. People were plant crazy. They had nothing to do but stay home and spend time in their yards. It was amazing and scary. We overcame the obstacles and made our dream come true, and we could finally share it with everyone else.

Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
Opening any business is no small feat, but operating multiple greenhouses and growing flowers is hands down the hardest work I have ever done. There are so many variables with the weather being the most unpredictable, I am constantly tied to the ever-changing environment. I quickly understood that I cannot control everything. I can only control my response. That realization has been a game changer for me, both professionally and personally. I’ve learned to push through and keep going despite the odds.

In the meantime, a lot of repair work was needed. The farm was suffering from neglect. No maintenance had been done. Strings of bailing twine, bubble gum, and wrong screws held our farm together. Pipes had frozen, heaters were in disrepair, the plastic greenhouse coverings were torn, and broken pots were littered everywhere. We had to focus on making this place shine once again.

Thankfully, Mark is amazingly handy. He was forced to fix things on a shoestring budget. The trash pile behind the property was overflowing with broken pots and empty bags of soil. Garbage was everywhere. We moved and rebuilt a greenhouse to become its own vegetable and herb house. We built a pole barn for our soil and mulch. A talented local artist created a beautiful mural of sunflowers on our barn to greet our customers. Once again, we were hopeful and excited. We helped create gardens for nearby communities and participated in fundraising programs for local schools and scout troops.

Then, last season, right as we were beginning to greet a new growing season, the road commission decided to undertake a lengthy and disruptive construction project just outside our business. Road closings and detours during our busiest time of year made for intense and worrisome nights. We had decided the prior year to find another avenue for selling, so I created a cut-flower garden. The idea was to have customers come and cut their bouquets, but the road closures shuttered that thought.

I dug in and thought about how to sell our hard work. I was able to woo three local florists to buy our flowers. The florists could market our flowers as locally grown by a small business. It was a success for all. It was a profitable endeavor, and we’re expanding it this year. Now, as we are in the throes of preparing for another season, we are looking forward to seeing our old customers and greeting new ones. Spring is such an inspiring season for growth.

Being a business owner, boss, and manager is hard work and it has taught me how to tackle the challenges head on with only love in my heart all the while believing there is nowhere else to go but forward.

When you leap, the net will appear.

Thanks for sharing that. Would you be willing to tell us a bit more about your business next?
Tau Gardens is a Greenhouse/Garden Center that specializes in annuals, perennials, vegetables and soil. We have become known for our gigantic hanging baskets, quality vegetable and herb starts, Non-GMO and heirloom seed options, OMRI listed and organic soils and beautiful fresh cut bouquets. Most importantly, we are known for our customer service.

We are in the business of helping people grow!

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Just about everyone in my life deserves credit for this endeavor.

The “Grower” industry is full of so many helpful people. I have cheerleaders that I have never met but they are constantly reaching out to me. Helping, chatting, discussing, and sharing. It is incredible! I am beyond fortunate to have these people in my corner.

When people walk into our greenhouse, they are smiling and so genuinely happy to be here. That’s what keeps us going.

Contact Info:

• Website: taugardens.com
• Instagram: @tau.gardens
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taugardens?mibextid=ZbWKwL