I tell people all of the time that I'm like an annoying toddler, asking "Why?". "Why? Why? Why?"
Part of "adulting" is being gainfully employed. There are bills to pay, possibly a family to support. If we're lucky, we find a job we enjoy going to everyday (or at least most days). The ideal is to find an industry you can call home, whether or not you stay with the same employer. I was curious why my fellow Christensen's employees worked here and why they work in the industry. So I sent them all a short survey to ask "Why?"
Sometimes the "why" is as simple as Larry's "I needed a job". Other "whys" included expected answers. But there were also some unique stories. Can you relate to any of them?
Like many of you, some of Christensen's employees have been in the industry a long time. As expected, owner Eric has been around since the age of 12. But so has Matt (with a break in his 30s). Kim, Barry and Cinco provided similar answers with 40+ years, 40 years and 45 years respectively. Chris and Dave are close behind with around 30 years. Christensen's also has the relative newcomers like Jen who's in her second season with the company, but has been in the industry for seven.
When asked why they're in the landscaping/green industry, there was a common thread that many employees enjoy the outdoors. Barry agreed, adding "the industry is still fun. Problem solving and meeting some of the most interesting people" were reasons he's stayed.
Molly explained that it was her love of the outdoors and plants (more specifically perennials) that brought her to the industry. "Working outside was what got me hooked. Weeding, watering, trimming plants, and working on my farmer's tan, was so peaceful and relaxing which is so different from most jobs. Working in the office was the next step for me. But I stay for those moments where I can walk out to the lot and see all of the beautiful perennials that I now order."
The plants are, of course, an important element. Chris said "I like working with the plants and seeing all the new varieties that come out."
One of the more unique stories was Jen's. She was laid off from a hospital during COVID and was hired at a neighborhood nursery. "I always liked plants, but truly came to love them. I look forward to the insanity that comes with spring time in a nursery. I take a lot of satisfaction in adding to the sustainability of our planet and helping people solve problems all while adding beauty around them."
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Co-workers, and friends, Alex and Britt
Kim's experience seems to support that survey. She likes plants but essentially "stumbled" into the landscaping industry. She stayed because of Christensen's. "Christensen's takes very good care of their employees and the employees take very good care of each other."
Another employee reported similar feelings. "I'm not sure why I stayed, maybe I'm a masochist. But something about the place and people really resonated with me. I liked that it wasn't retail and I enjoy doing blue collar work."
"Relationships I've built over the years stand out the most" for Matt. He went on to say, "It's the people. We move thousands (even millions) of dollars in products around, yet most of us understand this industry is full of SNAFUs and unpredictability. Success comes from working as a team, staying ahead of problems, managing expectations, and celebrating the small wins along the way. At its core, this industry is about picking things up and putting them back down again. But it's how we work together to make that happen, while creating more beautiful spaces and providing for our families, that I reflect on."
Christensen's owner, Eric, had planned to fly planes. He even went to school at Embry-Riddle in Arizona to study Aeronautical Science. But he realized he loved flying too much to make it his career believing "your career shouldn't be your passion." So he returned to grow and sustain the family business intending to one day take it over.
As for me, I'm in this job because I needed a part-time position that would work around my kids' schedule and Christensen's needed part-time help for the buyers. But, after almost 7 seasons, I've come to enjoy learning about the plants, using the resources to alter my own landscaping and being surrounded by so much natural beauty.
