We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lauren Murvine. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lauren below.
Lauren, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
I grew up on a farm here in Wayne County. In that environment, I learned the value of working hard and having a bit of an entrepreneurial spirit from my parents. My husband and I recently purchased the 8 generation farmhouse where I grew up and that work ethic is something we hope to pass on to our children with their experiences growing up here on the same historic property.
In addition to that, I worked as a public school teacher for almost ten years. I left teaching when we started our family but I am certain that those years gave me many of the skills & self-direction I needed to launch a successful small business. All of those semesters of lesson planning, learning various computer programs and web applications, directing and encouraging students, and delivering current lessons while planning long term projects were the tasks that shaped me the most. It all has made me a better small business owner and I am certain that our customers will benefit.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am a wedding decor designer who has created sets of rental items used to inform and direct wedding guests in a clean elevated way. Simply put, we follow current and coming wedding decor trends & translate these trends into sets of high-end lettered signs (welcome signs, seating charts, table numbers, menus etc.) that we personalize and deliver for use at special events.
We are constantly adding new items and styles to our website. I have the best time determining what new look or “wow’ piece I can add to what we offer.
Our decor is unique because we utilize other skilled local makers as we construct each rental set. We have incorporated, one of a kind welded brackets, laser cut 3-dimensional lettering and other special features that are not easily replicated or found in stores. We also support a local non-profit “New Destiny Treatment Center, Clinton.” with each and every wedding rental that we provide.
In addition to our wedding business, my husband and I are teaming up on something exciting here on our property. In the space that surrounds our wedding showroom, we recently planted 12 varieties of Peonies! (660 plants to be exact). And we look forward to next spring when we will hopefully host several “Pick-Your-Own” events here in our Peony field, and eventually offer whole-sale peonies to our late May and June brides. You can follow along at “Walnut Ridge Farm Ohio” to see all of this come together. Jason and I are so excited to team up and pair my love for creating beautiful experiences and his passions for horticulture & re-inventing the family farm .
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Two qualities stand out most in my mind. Courage and commitment to your concept.
Launching any business feels risky. The reality is that many businesses fail for all different reasons.
In our house we have a lot of conversations that start with, “wouldn’t it be fun if……?” “Wouldn’t it be so pretty if……..?” Do you think people would come to an event where they could…….?”
Over time, we’ve narrowed our brainstorming down to our best ideas. Jason & I have chosen to let our curiosity lead the way more than our fears about how things might go. It’s been a great adventure to have a spouse who is up for that. So I would say courage would be the first thing, to give your great idea a chance, and being lucky enough to have the support to go for it.
As we’ve brought some of our ideas to life, I’ve often told myself. “You never will get where you want to go, unless you decide to act like you are going.” If you are going on a luxury cruise you have to buy the ticket, make your arrangements, and pack your bags. The same is true when you determine that your business concept is a good one and it’s headed down a path to success.
There was definitely a point in our wedding rental business that I decided to allow myself to be all-in. Our concept at the time was completely unique and I had some self-doubt, but I decided to start doing things a person with a growing successful business would do. In my case this meant buying the upgraded software, printing the fancy flyer, upgrading our advertising, and innovating the trendy new inventory. When I gave our wedding rentals my full attention, committed to my concept, and believed in its success, things really took off.
As we launch our latest project here at the farm, I cannot wait to see where Jason and my commitment to our Peony Concept takes us.
I would encourage others to make a bold & deliberate commitment to their good idea and see where it takes them.
Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
Our rental business is for anyone planning a special event who likes a unique element of personalization. We are a great match for engaged couples who like the luxury of someone else taking care of things like assembling the seating chart or creating a personalized statement piece to welcome their guests.
“The Peonies at Walnut Ridge Farm” will be open to all flower lovers who want to experience our unique location and take home a bouquet of our Peony varieties.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.
walnutridgeweddingrentals.com/ - Instagram: @
walnutridgerentals_lauren - Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/ walnutridgeleathercompany/ - Other: Our Peony Farm… https://www.facebook.
com/WalnutRidgeFarmOhio/ @ walnutridgefarmohio (Instagram)
Image Credits
Lauren Swast Photography Madison Banks Photography
