Today we’d like to introduce you to Whitney Root
Hi Whitney, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Growing up surrounded by plants, gardening started taking me back to what used to be a chore with my parents, but is now nostalgic. Gardening is now something that brings me back to myself, a reminder how intricately connected to our Creator we are.
As I shared my gardening journey on social media, friends and family loved following along. They adored the simplicity I brought to their feeds and were curious to see how things grew. No drama, no fashion pressure, no trends – just nature. This simplicity helped them take a deep breath and reconnect with the basics.
I realized then how much people needed that simplicity in their busy lives – gardening is one avenue for that. More and more, people are craving the genuine, simplistic lifestyle that my gardening posts encompassed, which inspired me to turn my passion into a business.
I started offering personalized advice, and custom garden design and installations, showing others how to cultivate their own green thumbs. My goal with Whitney Root Gardens is to encourage aspiring gardeners to get back to basics and realize that they can garden with the right advice, materials, and patience – without all the fluff.
Everyone has a green thumb!! I promise!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s not been a smooth road. I was in a remote corporate job I hated. I recharged everyday in the garden and would be brought to tears dreaming this could be my full time job. I desperately wanted out of that environment so I could keep my hands in the dirt – and even do the boring admin things, but for a good purpose.
With every new thing (and even constant things) come imposter syndrome. It still happens today – the fear I don’t know enough, the self doubt, the wishing I was better at this, looked like that instead, etc. I eventually realized (and still have to remind myself) that it’s not my job to be an expert in every single corner of gardening, but to hone in on what I enjoy and want to bring to the world. I’d rather be really freakin’ awesome at a segment of gardening (lettuces, tomatoes, native flowers, design) than everything else (growing some random, difficult flower or fruit tree).
I eventually was able to quit my full time job. It happened so fast – and I’m happy about that. I am able to give my energy to my passion project turned business. AKA, I’m able to focus on helping people slow down – and I truly believe that’s why I’m on this earth.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Whitney Root Gardens?
Whitney Root is my name. I joke about that being the only reason I married my husband – for the last name haha!
I am known for vegetable and native flower gardens – specifically raised beds or enclosed flower beds.
I am a teacher at heart. I love taking a journey with my clients – from beginner to confident gardener. Everyone learns differently. I love providing different types of content for my clients to integrate the education I give them successfully.
I also make my education fun. I am goofy at heart. This work calls me to be lighthearted, child-like, and approachable. People don’t just hire me to get a garden bed. They hire me to make sure they’re on the right track, get that validation and feedback from me, and understand their options for gradually expanding their gardening skills.
I am most proud of my ability to help my corporate girlies loosen up and get into nature with my guidance – then eventually seeing it become an outlet for them to release pent up emotion. Nature is good at that: helping you process. I love that I am a conduit for my clients to release and recharge in a really healthy way – with a tangible reward.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Risk-taking is receptivity to feedback. If you’re not open to failure or feedback, you won’t take risks. Risk-taking for the benefit of humanity has resulted in pivotal moments for us as a collective. A daunting action, but it’s accomplished when we’re not focused on how devestating the failure could be. Stay present and have hope for the future 🙂
Risk taking for me has looked like moving cross country (then moving back home to TN), refusing medication and healing holistically, starting a garden without knowing anything, quitting my job! Living is risky, honestly. So, might as well make it REALLY risky haha.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.whitneyrootgardens.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whitneyrootgardens
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Whitney-Root-Gardens/61561322182776
