April Rorhbach, Owner at The Botany Shop

Name: April Rorhbach Profession: Owner at The Botany Shop

How did you get started in your business/profession?

I spent many years, about the last decade or so, learning all about botany, houseplants specifically, and growing hundreds of plants of my own indoors. What started out as a hobby quickly became a huge part of my life, and I had dreamed for the last several years of opening a plant store.

What steps led you to your current position?

A LOT of research, listening to advice from family and friends, and meeting with a business adviser.

What have you learned from working in your position?

Countless lessons! In owning a small business you have to learn how to handle so many different roles. Taxes, accounting, inventory management, customer service, social media management. And on top of that, I’ve learned that watering and caring for about 1,500 plants takes...a lot of time!

What challenges did you have to overcome?

Starting a brick-and-mortar store during a pandemic has certainly been challenging, from finding a suitable building to rent to plant shortages and pottery shortages, it definitely hasn’t been easy. I’ve had to get a little creative and be flexible, but it has all worked out in the end.

What advice would you give other women interested in pursuing this career?

Go for it! Do your research, get advice, don’t be afraid to ask for help, make sure it is something you are truly passionate about, and then just go for it! It is better to try and fail than to never try at all and look back later on and regret never giving it a shot. It’s OK to ask “What if I fail?” but remember to ask yourself “What if I succeed?”

How do you balance family/personal demands with work responsibilities?

Honestly, this is something I am still working on, like I imagine most entrepreneurs are as well. I don’t sleep as much as I should, as I’m currently writing this at 3 a.m.… There are things you have to give up to make time for both. It’s hard to have much of a life outside of the business this early on. It’s been 4 months now since opening the shop. But I am starting to get into more of a routine now of getting the work done that needs to be done consistently, which has allowed me to have more personal and family time. I am learning that I have to be pretty strict about having days off. And I wouldn’t be able to balance work/life at all without my planner and to do lists.

What was your first job?

My first “real” job was a summer high school gig working the cherry harvest in the lower Yakima Valley where I grew up. I worked in a fruit packing warehouse where I operated the machine at the very beginning of the line that loaded the bins of cherries onto the line.

What did you learn from your first job?

I learned that it was stressful to be in a position where the rest of the warehouse employees down the line would be held up if I made a mistake at my job. It was a quick way to learn that mistakes on the job have consequences that can affect others! But at the same time, it was very rewarding when I did my job well. It also made me learn that I wanted to work in a more creative and fun environment.