Meet Nanthawat Jiranuwatana

We were lucky to catch up with Nanthawat Jiranuwatana recently and have shared our conversation below.

Nanthawat, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
After I learned when to say “I don’t know actually… let’s find out together!” I started shedding my Imposter Syndrome. I believe it’s a valuable skill to admit when you don’t have the answer, as it opens the door to learning and helps you move forward; additionally, I find that people relate to and bond with me more when we figure things out together on the spot. This approach makes me feel less panicked, and I’ve noticed that others respond positively and are understanding. No one has ever been dissatisfied with me saying “I don’t know actually… let’s find out together!” yet. As a quick background: I have not received official training for what I do but I am self-taught and over the years I have joined established and published professionals in the field, with a few asking me for tips and trick and ideas. Though sometimes I feel like I am giving them the wrong information because I come from being self-taught, I remind myself that they also see me as a knowledgeable person and freely directed themselves towards me for answers. I firmly believe that you can achieve your goals and dreams with enough passion and audacity. If you remain meek and fear how others will perceive you, you’ll only find yourself in a comfortable yet very limited state.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I own “The Other Side Nursery”, a brick-and-mortar plant & crystal shop in Gresham, Oregon. I began selling plants at the Gresham Farmers’ Market, transitioned to primarily online sales during the Covid years, and then opened my shop in March 2022. I believe in making plants accessible to everyone, so I’m mindful of prices and ensure that every customer leaves with a clear understanding of how to care for their new plants. The last thing I want is for anyone to feel they have a “black thumb.” or feel excluded from something as fundamental as having plants.

Twice a year, I host a large sale called “The Other Plant Sale” event featuring over 40 vendors focused on plants and plant-themed arts and crafts, products, and supplies. These events take place in spring and autumn at Downtown Rockwood Plaza, right behind the shop. I invite everyone, from casual collectors to full-scale production nurseries, along with various societies and clubs. This is a free event for all guests to attend.

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?
– The ability to say “No.” This skill helps everyone, including yourself, by allowing you to set boundaries and recognize your personal and professional limits. Taking on too much can lead to losing sight of what you value. While it can be challenging to tell people “No,” not enjoying what you do would be even harder. There are ways to express this without a direct “No,” such as saying, “I can’t carry your product right now, but I can help you find a place that might be interested,” or “I can’t offer a discount on this product at the moment, but I may have a sale closer to Christmas.” This way, you’re not cutting people out entirely; you’re simply helping them move on.

– Having realistic expectations and a plan for slow periods. Understand that there will be many slow days alongside the busy ones, especially at first. Don’t let this discourage you or make you feel defeated. Instead, use this time to interact with people on social media, work on your website, etc.

– Being open during your stated hours, even if you have few customers. Those two customers could end up sharing their positive experience with thousands. There’s nothing more discouraging for potential customers than finding a business closed during its advertised hours.

If you knew you only had a decade of life left, how would you spend that decade?
My biggest challenge is attracting people to this side of town. For generations, this neighborhood has been underserved, and locals have often advised each other to avoid the area. The history here is quite fascinating; it was once a “drop-off” point for immigrants and displaced African Americans. Unfortunately, government programs have not recognized its value, leading developers and investors to overlook it until recent years. In the past decade, the City of Gresham has started to invest in and redevelop the neighborhood, bringing about positive changes. However, the challenge remains in attracting people who have, for decades, avoided this area due to rumors and misinformation, biased word-of-mouth. I am hoping by being here and hosting “The Other Plant Sale” I will help attract people to this neighborhood.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Alex Flores

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