Lost Creek Greenhouse Systems - Home Based Business ProfileHave you ever wanted to build a greenhouse or hothouse for plants? Are you an inventor? Does selling plants and related products interest you? Okay then, let’s learn about one of the successful home based businesses I discovered in Mineola, Texas. The business…This is Loy and Shirley Robinson who operate a sole proprietorship called Lost Creek Greenhouse Systems. Both Loy and Shirley love to grow plants and invent products as part of their home based gardening business. They offer bedding plants and herbs locally; tubing benders for the do-it-yourselfer; and greenhouse supplies such as clear poly coverings, pots, peat pellets and fabric mulch. They took small business ideas and a lot of hard work, and made a nice enterprise that helps others. In fact, I'm one of their customers. 
Folks that are interested in building their own hoop house with arched steel tubing are well advised to see these people and learn what they have to offer.I can tell you from personal experience that Loy and Shirley Robinson are all about serving the needs of do-it-yourself greenhouse builders. They offer tubing benders that they invented and built themselves. Below is an example of one of the do-it-yourself tubing benders in a wall mount configuration at a customer location.
Here is an example of the type of structure that their tubing benders help their customers build.
Click here if you want to see how to build it yourself with a tubing bender, and be sure to come back to learn more about this successful home based business. It all started when…Loy has always had a passion for inventing and building things. Shirley has always had a passion for plants and was well acquainted with greenhouses, so the two were naturals for this business. And, then one day they met. Shortly thereafter, our pair of newlywed entrepreneurs from Texas had a colorful and interesting start to their business back in 1996. As is the case with many businesses, it wasn’t always so smooth and effortless. Nevertheless, full time focus and tenacity paid off over the long haul, and they are now an established part of the do-it-yourself greenhouse marketplace. Early in their business startup, they sold both tubing benders and steel hoops for making structures. Now that they expanded their selection of tubing benders, they focus mostly on selling the benders and detailed instructions, as well as supplies for homemade greenhouses and growing plants. How the business grows…One of the keys to business success is letting people know that you’re out there providing a product or service. Loy says: “You simply have to get the word out to the people. Starting our business on a dead end street in a small east Texas town, we once nailed 85 posters to telephone posts along every road leading into and out of that town. Although not a recommended approach, it helped our business increase by 200% in 6 months.” Today, their primary means of growing the business are the Internet and word of mouth. Word of mouth comes from satisfied customers, and that is a great way to expand your business. Not only do you have a referral from others, but you also have a satisfied customer as a reference. Another key to success is knowing what business you are in - knowing the marketplace and where you fit. This is the only way you can focus on your niche, and focus is nearly a guarantee of success. For my friends at Lost Creek Greenhouse Systems, their business niche is the homeowner gardener. As a homeowner and Lost Creek Greenhouse Systems customer, I’m here to tell you that they are absolutely focused on their niche marketplace. They have a well made product that is reasonably priced and promptly and efficiently shipped. This is just another impressive aspect of this small home based business. Give these fine folks at Lost Creek Greenhouse Systems a shout and tell them that Clair Schwan sent you. Benefits of the business…Wouldn’t it be nice to start your day with a leisurely cup of coffee and a tour of your peaceful gardens and greenhouses? Of course it would, and that’s just how Loy and Shirley like to start their days.
Resources you’ll need…A business such as this requires a green thumb, space to build greenhouses and raise plants for sale, and a suitable climate. From what I have seen, Loy and Shirley have just what they need for success. This type of business also requires warehouse space for supplies such as poly coverings, fabric mulch, peat pellets, pots and greenhouse accessories. A fabrication facility and shipping facility are also required. Even if these are very modest in size, you’ll need dedicated space to create, store and ship your products to customers.
Lastly, you'll want to put some thought into how and where deliveries are made so it is convenient for the trucking company and not an inconvenience for your day-to-day business activities.
Income potential…For a greenhouse supply business such as this, gross income potential in the range of $80K to $120K is reasonable. Much of this will depend on the type and cost of the products you offer, the breadth and depth of your marketplace, and your ability to keep customers satisfied. 
At one point in the Lost Creek Greenhouse Systems saga, there was an opportunity to feature their products and services on a national television program. Loy declined at first because of his concern that it would put too much pressure on his growing business. He knew that if business exploded and he couldn’t meet customer demand, that could do harm to his reputation by creating dissatisfied customers.
He finally agreed to demonstrate how to build a greenhouse for TV. The photo above right shows Loy on the left with the film crew at the end of shooting an episode of Michael Holigan's Your New House. The greenhouse in the background is what Loy and Shirley call a "hobby size" that is most suitable for beginners. Challenges to overcome…The biggest challenge for this business was making ends meet while introducing a new innovative product to the marketplace. Getting the word out about a new product is understandably a challenge. You have to create the product as well as “pull it” through a marketplace that isn’t at all familiar with it or you. If you are selling a known product or service, you can “me too” advertise to a marketplace that is already familiar with the product or service. In any case, Loy and Shirley made good use of the Internet to demonstrate their product. Seeing videos of the products in action is very persuasive. Achievements…Loy and Shirley are comfortable with their success as merchants, but they believe their greatest achievements are found in their satisfied customers. Loy and Shirley say: “If you provide good quality service and products at competitive prices, you will succeed. It may take a little longer, but you will be successful.” When customers are satisfied and they let you know it, that has to be a great feeling. This is one of the themes of many successful small businesses. They do something they enjoy and have a passion for, and financial success follows where their heart has led them. As a satisfied customer, I can tell you that positive customer feedback for Lost Creek Greenhouse Systems isn’t a bit surprising. Loy and Shirley are straight shooters, great people to deal with, and they deliver what they promise. Special message from our featured entrepreneur…If you are going to start your own enterprise, Loy suggests you “start at an younger age”.
It isn’t that being older makes business more difficult, but it’s the idea that once you discover how much fun and satisfying your own business can be, you’ll wish you had started sooner.Loy also advises: “Be prepared for hard times and low cash flow in early years” and “learn to spend less and shop for lower prices longer”. These are good small business ideas, and just plain old good ideas if you ask me. The Robinsons want you to know that “A small family owned and operated business can be very successful if you focus on new concepts and fresh innovative ideas, and have a healthy dose of courage when it comes to marketing. You must also be determined to satisfy and assist your customers before and after the sale." Done with Greenhouse, take me back to Honest Home Based Businesses
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