KAHT Business Spotlight-Winter Newsletter

Business:
Gina's Bee Lick Botanicals and Greenhouse
7295 Hwy 328 E.
Eubank, KY 42567
(606) 379-2747b
ginasgreenhouse@yahoo.com Berea Trail

Please describe your business.

Gina's Greenhouse is a joint effort of Mark and Gina Eubank. During the winter months, they plant, grow, and sell bedding plants. Their sales are to both wholesale and retail customers. From July through December, Gina exhibits at craft shows throughout Kentucky, selling dried floral arrangements and oil lamps with dried florals in them. Mark makes dulcimers and sells them at craft shows as well. The couple offers workshops on container-gardening and dried flower arranging.


How did you start your business?

The first greenhouse was built in 1984. They cut poplar trees for the supports, heated it with a woodstove, and ran a garden hose from the house for watering. Today, they have approximately 9,000 square feet of modern greenhouses.

Gina started working with dried flowers 10 years ago. Gradually, she developed her own unique style. The Eubanks built a workshop using logs from an 1830's cabin. In this building Gina makes her products and teaches others how to work with dried flowers. Mark often provides background music on his dulcimer.


How do you market your business?

Gina and Mark exhibit at approximately fifteen weekend craft shows between June and January. Each fall, they spend five weeks at the Harvest Celebration at Dollywood in Tennessee. Both are juried members of the Kentucky Craft Marketing program and participate in Kentucky Crafted: The Market in March.

The growing part of their business is marketed through newspaper advertisements, a newsletter, and word of mouth. One unique aspect of their business is offering tours and workshops to customers.

What piece of business advice do you offer to other KAHT business owners?

"Always put the customer first, both in quality and service. A smile and common courtesy don't cost anything, but might make the difference of whether your customer will ever return to your place of business. Be passionate about your craft or art…don't be afraid to follow your dream, but know that there will always be ups and downs. Constantly think along the lines of what can I offer my customers that I might not be doing now."