LEADERSHIP @7000ft WARNER'S

LEADERSHIP @ 7 000ft Advancing a Strong Community Advancing a Strong Community

Our leadership focus is on Misti Warner, co-owner Warner's Nursery and Landscape Company. Warner's is a successful landmark business celebrating their 50th Anniversary.

MISTI WARNER

WARNER'S NURSERY & LANDSCAPE CO. CO-OWNER

1101 E Butler Ave, Flagstaff, AZ 86001 (928) 774-1983

WHAT BROUGHT YOU INTO YOUR BUSINESS OR PROFESSION? I grew up working in my family’s garden center and watching my dad and his brothers build a thriving business. Upon graduating from NAU with a Business Management degree, I realized that I had a passion for the green industry and decided to make a career out of the family business, working in all departments and slowly working my way up in the company. HOW LONG HAS YOUR COMPANY BEEN IN BUSINESS OR HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THIS PROFESSION? Warner’s has been in business for 50 years. I got my first job at the nursery in Page, AZ when I was 7, cleaning the warehouse, watering plants and general yard work. Although I worked other jobs throughout high school and college, I continued my employment with the family business. I started full time at Warner’s upon graduating from college. IF YOU COULD GO BACK AND CHANGE YOUR PATH IN SOME WAY, WOULD YOU? IF NO, WHY NOT? No, I would not change my path. I think I’m right where I’m supposed to be. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE JUST STARTING OUT IN YOUR PROFESSION? Work in the industry to make sure it’s a good fit. Retail is tough but in the horticulture industry it’s grueling and is not known for high pay. You have to love plants and people. Acknowledge your personal strengths and weaknesses and grow a team that complements those, allowing for maximum growth. Honesty and humility will go a long way in any business. WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR INDUSTRY? I enjoy the seasonality of the business; we get a fresh start every year which is like an opportunity to do it again but better. I also am a plant nerd; I love our products and that we get to provide something that sparks great emotion. TO WHAT DO YOU ATTRIBUTE YOUR PERSONAL SUCCESS? I had a great role model in my dad. He had my sister and I working in the store when I was 7 years old. I watched him work hard for everything he had, and he expected the same from us. He and my uncles built a strong business model, ensuring we operate in a smart and honest way, allowing us to build onto a successful and strong business. WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN OR TO BALANCE OUT YOUR WORKLIFE? Most of my free time is spent with my three boys and my husband. We are a basketball family, so we watch and play a lot of ball. Gardening is my favorite pastime and my respite, so in the season on my day off I will typically garden in the morning, and play some sport or activity with the boys. I also enjoy my workouts, from cross training to running. WHAT INSPIRES OR RE-MOTIVATES YOU? I get a lot of inspiration from travelling. I enjoy touring other garden centers and growers and participating in industryled training. I also find motivation and get great ideas from my team. I’m lucky to have employees that want to work in this industry and are passionate about what we do. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF BEING IN THE FLAGSTAFF COMMUNITY? I enjoy most aspects of Flagstaff: the seasons, the outdoor activities, the small town feel. However, my favorite part of Flagstaff is the people. Despite everyone having differing opinions on hot topic issues, I feel connected to and supported by the community. WHAT PART OF YOUR LIFE TODAY COULD YOU NEVER HAVE ANTICIPATED 10 YEARS AGO? I think the biggest surprise to me is my family. I was always very career driven and hadn’t thought about having a family. However, now my husband and my boys are the best part of my life. DO YOU HAVE A RULE OR MANTRA YOU STRIVE TO LIVE BY? I have a sign in my office that reads “Do Good Work”. To me that means not only working hard but also doing the right thing. My dad taught me that it’s important to make the choice that is right from a moral standpoint, even if it doesn’t seem like what’s best for myself or the company. I try to always remember that. WHERE DO YOU HOPE TO BE IN 10 YEARS? In 10 years we’ll have our debt from buying the company paid off. That will allow me to have grown my staff up to a level where they can take over more of the day-to-day store operations so that I can spend more time travelling with my husband and spending time with my boys, wherever they may be.