From Backyard to Business: 3 Strategies That Took Me to Six Figures

Growing cut flowers can certainly be a seasonal side hustle that brings in some extra income, but for me it's a year-round career. And that's not by chance; that's what I set out to build from the beginning.  

Within just two years of sowing the first seeds in my backyard garden, I had grown Hidden Springs into a six-figure flower business. And it’s continued to evolve ever since.

Looking back, there are three key strategies that helped me make the leap from backyard garden to full-blown business. These same principles still guide my decisions today and keep my work profitable, sustainable, and aligned with the life I want to live.

1. Treat your business like a business from day one

If you’re not serious about it, don’t expect anyone else to be.

That means setting up the foundations early:

• Know your numbers. Track your income and expenses so you understand exactly what’s working.

• Make things official. Register your business, get the licenses and insurance you need, and separate your personal and business finances.

• Carry yourself like a professional. From branding to customer communication, show your customers they can count on you.

This mindset shift was one of the biggest differences between treating flowers as a hobby and creating a business that could contribute to my family.

2. Find your niche and dial in on it

When you’re just starting out, it’s tempting to try a little of everything: weddings, wholesale, subscriptions, custom orders. I did all of that in my first seasons.

But real growth came when I figured out what worked best for me and cut the rest.

For Hidden Springs, that niche turned out to be retail. Once I leaned into retail sales and stopped spreading myself thin, I was able to scale faster, serve customers better, and move the needle in a big way.

Ask yourself: Where do you feel most energized? What’s the most profitable use of your time and flowers? That’s where your niche probably lies.

3. Do what you do best and outsource the rest

No flower farmer can do it all, at least not sustainably.

I discovered that my best work (and the work I enjoyed most) was harvesting and designing bouquets. So I hired employees to handle planting, weeding, and deliveries.

I also stopped insisting on starting every plant from seed. Buying plugs and transplants saved me time, labor, and headaches, while still giving me beautiful crops to work with.

Outsourcing doesn’t always mean hiring a big team. Sometimes it’s as simple as trading time for efficiency; finding ways to protect your energy so you can focus on the things that matter most.

Final thoughts

My business is constantly evolving. But keeping these three points at the forefront - treating it like a business, finding my niche, and outsourcing wisely - has made all the difference.

Those choices allowed me to turn a backyard side hustle into a six-figure business in just two years, and they continue to keep Hidden Springs both profitable and sustainable today.

Wherever you are in your journey, I hope these lessons encourage you to take the next step toward the flower business you’ve been dreaming of.

I’d love to hear from you—what’s one strategy or mindset that’s made the biggest difference in your own flower journey? Share in the comments!