Thanksgiving 2021 has arrived, and I’m so glad for the break. I’m sure you are too. What a crazy year! Right after a crazy year. IS this now the new norm?
Let your holiday season begin by telling the people in your life how thankful you are for their presence in your life. And I’m thankful I have a platform like this blog to say so publicly to everyone on the record.
I’m thankful for:
Without any doubt, the best group of employees I’ve ever been fortunate to have as part of the Good Earth Plant Company team.
I’m starting with my work family. Honestly, I spend a lot more time with them than anyone else, other than myself. Our culture has evolved into an outstanding place to work – I still have fun every day.
I’ll begin my appreciation with our Office Manager, Erin. I give her a lot of credit for the positivity that we all feel here, and I gave her a new title of CFO – Chief Fun Officer.
Everything starts with a sale, and Dan continues to impress me with the multiple types of projects he closes and his now cast knowledge of everything from living walls to green roofs.
Rock on, Joe! Joe Benedetti shows off a newly installed living wall. Photo: Good Earth Plant Company
Now in his second year, Joe is rocking it as our Operations Manager. He is helped in his success by Lead Designer Rachel and Route Coordinator Lisa.
Our horticultural technician crew of Joel, Celso, Scott, Weslea, and new addition Brandon all do an outstanding job caring for our client
s and their plants.
Cassidy continues to grow in her role as warehouse manager and buyer. Shayla supports administration, and thankfully, me too (my weakest area).
The culture we have all created makes work fun and worthwhile. We enrich peoples’ lives with plants!
PR Pro Gayle continues in her role to get us noticed and does an outstanding job. Plus, she helped us write a white paper this year about the Post Pandemic Office. You can read it here, a great way to spend your Thanksgiving weekend.
I have two new Good Earth Plants support team members – Marc Simms of Right Performance Management (coaching our leaders for peak performance) and Kerry Peterson of Solana Pacific taking our automation technology into the modern world.
While not a person to thank, I achieved a long-term dream of building a new warehouse. It’s awesome! Take a video tour with me here.
Our new warehouse is a goal I’ve had for a very long time. Photo: Good Earth Plant Company
Our vendors: Too many to list, and I wouldn’t want to leave anyone off. They provide us with top-quality plants and pots, even during these difficult times of supply chain issues.
My real family:
Clockwise from upper left: Mom, Dad, Allie, and Ted. Photos: Jim Mumford
My Mom. I call her my “gentleness guru,” as she helps me re-frame what frustrates me. I’m a better man with her input.
Dad, living the life in an assisted living community near my sister in Denver. All you could ask for in one place.
My son Ted, who passed the California Bar Exam and is now working for Legal Services of Northern California, helping the underprivileged.
Allie – my incredible daughter. Teaching me lessons day by day. What will tomorrow bring?
Sister Monica and her husband, Scott. They have really done an outstanding job getting dad to his new home and overseeing the ongoing support he needs. They are now fur-parents of “Pepper,” the cat.
The rest of my family, including Kathy, Karen, Cade, Katie, and Sam. Aunts Nancy, Shirley, and Mardi, Uncle Rick, and all my cousins. All but one East Coast dwellers, I don’t get to see them often enough.
All my friends, too numerous to mention, who tolerate my sense of humor and passionate outbursts.
Everyone at Fix Body Group – chiropractors Shawn and Patrick, their trainer Chelsea, plus therapeutic masseur Victor. Thank God they keep me young and moving.
Everyone at Shelter Island Medical Group – Dr. Saleh, Mel, Julie, Devi, Ali, and the rest of the staff. They don’t treat me like a patient – until that is what I need, then they take excellent care of me.
Julia, truly part of my family and my black cat Paul. He keeps me company in this big ole house.
My “keeps me out of trouble” team of insurance guy Jim and Jeff, attorneys Harvey Berger and Bill Eigner.
Accountant, bookkeeper and friend Burt, and IT master Chris.
Leader Will Philips and all of the Silverados – Jan, Scott, Charlie, Shane, Todd, Rich, Edward, Nick, Kevin, Brian, and Brad.
All of Good Earth Plant Company’s clients, vendors, and colleagues. We could not be successful without you, especially this year.
It’s your Eco-Warrior team of Dan Summers and Jim Mumford at a trade show near you!
All of my friends in the plant, art, design, architecture, sustainability, and “nature” world, and the numerous organizations I belong to. It’s fun to be back out seeing everyone again!
My health, pretty good for 64. Gotta think young.
My appreciation and good fortune to enjoy and make a career of beauty, art, and nature.
Living in San Diego. Expensive, yes, but paradise, no less.
YOU – for reading this far and coming along with me on this journey. Everything positive I do for the planet, I do for you, our children, and their grandchildren.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. What are YOU thankful for?
Would you please tell us in the comment or get a conversation going on our social media pages?
