Lauren Lance is the woman behind The Borrowed Nursery. The Borrowed Nursery is not just a nursery, but rather a one stop shop for all things green goodness. Think everything from a retail space filled with a carefully curated collection of plants, pots, homewares and furniture to venue hire, plant hire and in house workshops.
In this interview we chat to Lauren about where it all began, knowing when to say yes and when to say no, and that bigger isn't always better.
Q1: Hi Lauren, welcome to the Woman Of Series! Can you tell us what it is you create?
Hi guys, thanks for having me!
The Borrowed Nursery is a range of experiences under the one brand, we have the retail shop, we hire out our pots and plants for weddings/events/engagement parties. We also hire out the space for the same events.
Our sister company is The Botanica Box which is a gift hamper service that we can do as far north as Brisbane and as far south to Byron and surrounds.
Q2: When did you start The Borrowed Nursery? What inspired you to go down this path?
I started The Borrowed Nursery 5 years ago, we were sourcing plants and pots for a good friends wedding and felt there was a niche for that in the higher market.
Q3: Talk us through your creative process. How do you reach your signature style?
I wouldn’t say it’s a structured process, it varies for each project. If its fitting out a retail space I need to look at the space, try and stay ahead of trends, we like to think we are fairly timeless in terms of plants. Design wise its more about textures fort me than anything.
Q4: What is your favourite The Borrowed Nursery project? Why?
My favourite thing I’ve ever done is how the borrowed nursery was born. I helped my two friends decorate their wedding, Chris and Hayley had a fiesta theme in the street of Hayley’s family home. It was really special to be apart of this with them, so this where the Borrowed Nursery idea came from, its great that it was something to do with some great friends of mine.
Q5: What single tool or strategy have you found invaluable to your business so far?
A great strategy that I’ve implemented is when to say yes and when to say no, always be open to opportunities but you have to be comfortable in also saying no if it doesn’t feel right. It's about finding the right balance.
Q6: What (and who) is involved in the process of bringing your business to life?
I've got a great team (including my mum) who help run The Borrowed Nursery everyday. The girls know my goals and are fully supporting me in achieving them.
Q7: What is your big hope and dream for your work?
Ultimately bigger isn’t always better, its about refining and making what you have great. I’m in the process of opening a store in Windsor, Brisbane. So we’re super excited to be expanding the brand there, as a lot of our customer base comes from Brisbane and the Sunshine coast.
Q8: What are your top 3 superpowers?
Multitasking would have to be my number one, followed closely by assessing the risk of things that would potentially effect my business. Number three is a tough one, I think being creative is a huge part of my job and I’m lucky that I’m quite good at it.
Q9: We’re all about women inspiring women. Who inspires you?
Every one of my female friends inspire me in one way or another. I’m surrounded by a really great group of women who are always lifting each other up.
Q10: What advice would you impart on the next generation of women, and women in business?
People shouldn’t think you can have it all, understanding what you have to sacrifice, what will you gain from it? Having it all isn’t something to strive for, pick something to strive for and focus on that.
