2012 here we come
I hope you had a good Christmas and a good 2011. I want to update you all about my work and the results in 2011 on this post.
Family first
Being a dad to 3 beautiful girls (8, 5, 3) was a good part of this year. Best part was that the youngest one Tageet seemed to catch up with her growing (as she is a very small –but perfect she is extremely bright and confident. Yasmin and Edden were doing so well at school and at their activities (swimming, dance and piano).
We spend a good time together, although it was shame that most holidays we could not have together this year, so I am really hoping to next year.
Impressive to look back
Improving my website was only one goal from many, investing in my e-bay shop, new Amazon shop, adding new products, marketing to retailers, ( took part in the Four Oaks show), adding a Facebook page, while serving many customers and enjoying family life in beautiful Shropshire.
No more fire-fighting
Since the end of September I have not been a retained fire fighter. It did not end well – racism or equality reasons – not sure- but first I got a letter saying they had an error in the course results – then they decided to dismiss me. 6 weeks later I got another letter saying I can appeal again – It was after I sent an informal e-mail to someone saying what I think happened.
I decided to end it. I risked my life for not a lot and it took time from being with my family and working on the business. I thought it was a good opportunity to end it.
300% growth, 100% positive customer service
300% growth, while retaining 100% positive customer service- is the impressive part of 2011. Best4garden2010 e-bay shop can prove the 100% positive feedback.
But financially, it was not easy. I had to invest a lot of money and I have to thank many good friends for lending me their money.
My learning this year was great, one thing that I found is that it is not as easy as it may look like- to be a retailer or a wholesaler.
One goal that I struggled with was on the wholesale side, but It seems like it takes time to built relationships with retail buyers- only a few new retail customers on 2011 started selling our root barriers and lawn edging but there were lots that said they may do so in the coming year.
Enjoy the next changes
My goal since 2008 is to promote and sell green solutions for gardening and landscaping- to do so on 2012:
you will see the new website launch.
Many new green products
I sourced a hot new product for planting a tree- a very simple solution that prooved to have massive impact on young trees growth ( nearly double) , reduce cold damage, reduce maintenance, improve yield, save watering and water-Tree water-maizer –is the name I could call it so far.
Other products to come: playground rubber mulch, synthetic turf, and many more.
I am also working to offer to promote landscapers and designers in 2012 and to assist you in several ways, but I will update in the near future.
I would like to thank all my customers, and to all Lj members that assist through the years. It is a very exciting year. Just a few years ago I was so desperate, with no idea where to start, and had a massive support here from so many.
Wishing you for 2012: high growth, many blooms and a beautiful yield ( no matter what you grow)
Lots of love
Ofer, best4garden
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online: best4garden.co.uk
Comments
Good luck for the year ahead Ofer, you won't go far wrong with three lovely daughters to keep you in order, if my own experience is anything to go by.
Nice post, happy new year and best regards to you and your family, trying to persuade my 5 and 7 year old girls to also help out a little, sadly more interested in anything pink than green!!!
Lovely post Ofer!
Wow thank you,
so nice to get all these comments,
Aye and Susan, I wish you a great 2012 for all your lovely family.
Thank you Richard, I wish I had more time for gardening with the children,
we have few raised beds at the front ( thats were we get the sun) .
Me and Edden ( 5) were just pulling out all the Christmas potatoes the day before Christmas.
Both me and her planted them from plants on sep ( that I got on a trade show).
The key thing was to talk about it near her after with grandad , gramma, mummy etc.
She loved it- so as we all enjoyed these potatoes. Start with easy task that gives a lot of satisfaction- I guess. We once , before let the girls to collect all the potatoes from a big planter that I made - so I guess it is why they remember these things as fun. my Wife does a bit more gardening with them. About the pink - I know that is a difficult one- you should see the washing line here.
Many thanks JP and Phil- and best wishes too.