Gardner selected Small Business Person of the Year
Oliver J Gardner, owner and president of Four Seasons Garden Center in Williston has been selected as the US Small Business Administrations (SBA) 2005 Vermont Small Business Person of the Year. Nominated by Bob Blanchard, Vice President of Charter One Bank, Burlington, Gardner was selected for outstanding leadership related to his companys staying power, employee growth, increase in sales, innovative ingenuity, response to adversity and contributions to the community.
Four Seasons is a regional, independent retail garden center specializing in an extensive inventory of ornamental trees and shrubs, perennials, annuals and garden accessories. Through repeated demonstrations of revenue-generating ability paired with environmental accountability, Four Seasons set standards that changed the garden center industrys paradigm for success.
Following Gardners purchase of Four Seasons in 1978, the retail and landscape division doubled in size each year through 1981. Since that time, Four Seasons continued a pattern of steady growth and established itself as a small business success of major proportions. Employee numbers rose from 50 during peak season to a current peak season total of 95. Annual revenues increased from $80,000 in 1977 to $4 million, as of October, 2004.
In 1994, when Gardner learned of the imminent arrival of Home Depot and Wal-Mart, he implemented a dynamic plan to go upscale and boost Four Seasons competitive edge. The plan was a stellar success and promoted increased sales at a time when many independent garden centers were closing due to pressure from chain-store giants.
Through financial collaboration in 2002 with Taft Corners Associates, Inc., Charter One, and an SBA-guaranteed 504 loan administered by the Vermont Economic Development Authority, Gardner expanded and relocated Four Seasons in 2003 to a 10-acre lot less than a mile from Willistons box-store mecca. Although the company got off to a rocky start, Gardner ultimately gained higher profitability by increasing revenues, maintaining gross profit margin, reducing expenses, and retaining a high level of employee morale. By the end of 2003, he and his managers had developed a brand-new budget and held themselves to its guidelines. The new location, budget and expansion innovations produced a harmony of growth and increased revenues, as reflected by the companys financials for 2004.
The 9,600 square-foot garden center is itself a mecca, replete with marketing innovations that helped shift the company into a region-wide destination store. With over two acres of intensely landscaped gardens, ponds, walkways and park amenities; a café specializing in homemade soups, salads and sandwiches with seating near an indoor waterfall; an outside jungle gym, an indoor childrens play area; a full calendar of educational programs and special events; and a diagnostic center staffed by certified horticulturalists, Four Seasons is second to none in the retail gardening business.
Also exceptional is Gardners commitment to integrating community and business. He has offered use of the building for receptions and private parties, provided picnic grounds for public use and parking for unrelated local events. In Gardners view, community partnership includes environmental awareness, integrity and accountability. Four Seasons subsurface water recycling system alone is worthy of an award I have never seen a system so extensive in any garden center nationwide, said colleague R. Wayne Mezitt, Board Chairman of Weston Nurseries in Massachusetts.
Despite a progressive, 20-year spinal cord disease that severely restricts his mobility, Gardner has demonstrated extraordinary determination, persistence and creativity. He is among a select group of small business persons who will be honored by the SBA at national ceremonies in Washington, DC, April 26-28. He will also be honored by the SBA Vermont District Office at a special ceremony presented by Vermont Business Magazine in June 2005.