plant career and business in Canada

Discussion in 'HortForum' started by eliyome, Jul 18, 2007.

  1. eliyome

    eliyome Member

    Messages:
    12
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    canada
    does anyone know if certain degrees are required to own a plant/garden store? do you need a certain degree to sell plants? a business or horticulture degree perhaps? i live in canada and have a recent dream of owning a plant and pottery store. any information on this or where to find more information on this i would greatly appreciate.
     
  2. smivies

    smivies Active Member

    Messages:
    793
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Kingston, Ontario, Canada
    None at all. But with any occupation, credibility (especially in the early years of a business) is often increased with a suitable diploma or degree. In addition, people in the trade (either via experience or education) will have methods that increase the businesses viability.

    Nor does it affect what you call yourself unless you're dealing with a regulated profession. You can call yourself a landscape designer (if that's what you do) for example but not a Landscape Architect (unless you have both the degree & the professional designation). And finally (and obviously), don't misrepresent yourself as having a degree (or diploma) that you don't. For example Business person is OK, Business Degree is not OK.
     
  3. eliyome

    eliyome Member

    Messages:
    12
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    canada
    well at the moment i am about to start a fine arts degree and hoping to major in ceramics. perhaps if i get a little business savvy or a little business degree at a college (possibly some sort of two year program) and act as though i mainly focus on pottery i can be taken seriously at some point. then i can just put a bunch of plants in and around my pottery and sell that too.

    thanks for the reply.
     
  4. jimmyq

    jimmyq Well-Known Member 10 Years

    Messages:
    2,345
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Metro Vancouver, BC, Canada.
    the only thing you need (so far as I know) is a business license and a store with inventory. If you want to sell pesticides you will need a vendors license and licensed dispensers on staff.
     
  5. growest

    growest Active Member 10 Years

    Messages:
    682
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    Surrey,BC,Canada
    I'm excited for you, eliyome. Plant containers have really become popular the last few years, and probably will be for a long time thanks to more people living in townhouses, apartments with balconies, etc...us boomers getting older and all.

    My old marketing teacher would say, retail is the easiest business to get into, and easiest to get out of...as in going broke. As mentioned a business licence, along with GST and PST registration in Canada, and you're in business. Very little stops anyone renting store space and filling it with product...but what competition! For you, tho, I'm excited coz you have a unique idea...being a ceramics specialist with the added twist of plants to go with them.

    Gotta figure out something to separate you from all the big boxes that are now selling cheap plants...independent garden centres are struggling here unless they have some special attraction. Sounds like you could have that special something, and wind up doing what you love and making a living at it. I hope so.
     
  6. eliyome

    eliyome Member

    Messages:
    12
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    canada
    thanks, this is a very new idea for me. i suddenly made the decision to switch into a fine arts program. at the same time i suddenly decided i love succulent and cacti plants. so then the idea of putting these plants in pots i make sounded very appealing. but the problem is.... i am 20 so this plan should take a good 5-10 years to put into order. i need to learn the business aspect (which this forum has been very helpful for). i also need to see how difficult it would be to specialize in succulents in cold cold canada. i have already had an impossible time getting my hands on any facinating succulent plants and it is summer! so if i can scope the situation out in 5 years when my degree is completed, i hope it seems as though specializing in succulents and ceramics and owning a small shop will be profitable and not too incredibly difficult.
     
  7. simple leaf

    simple leaf New Member

    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Vancouver, BC
    As others have stated no specific qualifications are needed to sell plants just follow your local bylaws for business ownership. I would recommend some sort of education/experience with plants though as you'll get a lot of customers asking for advice. My business partner and I own a small company that sells houseplants in the Vancouver area (in addition to doing garden design) and we love it. Farmers markets, craft sales and pop up shops are a great way to get started with minimal output. Checkout the local community of makers in your area and start to network with others, you'll make connections quickly and get to try your hand at selling your product.
     

Share This Page