TGt Meets...Hope Dean, Director of Wild Roots Greenery - IWD Special
Hope Dean, Director, Wild Roots Greenery. Wild Roots sells house plants, ceramics and a small selection of life style interiors. Their shop is based at 18 Kingland Crescent, Poole, located near the Dolphin Centre.
The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is #choosetochallenge – what would you choose to challenge when it comes to gender equality or inequality this year?
I’d like to challenge the stigma around common gender associated job roles. As someone who has had job roles where both sexes are heavily involved, I'd love to be able to pick up a drill or a hammer without a male generated, humourless joke attached.
Thinking of your own experience in the world of business – which inequalities, if any, have you experienced personally or witnessed around gender?
Sadly I've experienced a fair few inequalities when it comes to the Event Industry. Previously, as an Event Manager it wasn't unknown to not be taken seriously by men. I’ve had my fair share of comments from males who have shared their perspective in passing comments. For example: “Leave it love, let a man pick that up for you.” It’s not until you experience it regularly and step away that you realise even those small comments can be insulting.
What do you think women offer in particular to the world of business?
Without discrimination to men, I think women can add more emotional perspective to business...see the bigger picture. We sometimes find it easier to see different sides and perspectives within projects. That being said, we can sometimes have too much to say!
What do you think men offer in particular to the world of business?
Their own experiences and perspective, it’s not unknown that men and women will often show different view points but equally everyone is allowed to have their own perspective. What I’m trying to say is I don't think men bring any more or less than women to business.
Can you name up to three women in business or in your organisation or in the wider business community that you admire?
Emma Rowland (Owner and Director of Pen Gallery): Emma has a huge passion for art and design and it’s blown me away at how she has managed to crowdfund money for her new gallery venture here at Kingland Crescent.
Rachel Howard is a huge inspiration for me. Her vision and passion for women's fitness and health is to be desired. Rachel started up her initial business (Strength Beyond The Surface) whilst still working full time but since being made redundant from her full time job she is now running full steam ahead with her business. Rachel offers a range of services encouraging, motivating and helping people’s day to day lives improve through fitness and nutrition.
My third would have to be every parent who is currently juggling home schooling, work, and trying to smile everyday! The end is in sight, you can do this!
Can you name up to three men in business or in your organisation or in the wider business community that you admire?
My Dad, I've grown up watching my dad put in the hard graft and experiencing his own challenges with his own gardening company and if anything it’s given me the motivation to follow in his footsteps... running my own business!
Steve from Retro Restored, seeing how Steve has transformed his life through his passion for G Tech furniture is so inspiring. I love being able to talk about the highs and the lows of running our new businesses’ on the high street!
Do you think women who start their own business experience more challenges than men?
I really think it depends on the industry and the possible associated stigma it holds. I’d like to say that the greenery industry appears to have a real mix of sexes, so personally I haven’t experienced too many challenges around my female gender.
Now a little bit about being based in Poole and your Covid-19 experience…
Describe Poole in 3 words…
Scenic, refreshing, restorative
Where’s your favourite place for an out of office/remote meeting?
Somewhere out in nature, with a warm tea in hand!
What do you most love about working in Poole?
I’ve lived here all my life and I'm always drawn to nature...what’s not to like? It’s so easy to stumble upon nature in Poole, on my lunch break I'm 5 minutes from the park or I'm just a 10 minute drive to the beaches!
How do you think Poole and local businesses will bounce-back once lockdown is eased?
I’m so excited to see Poole busy again and I'm so thrilled to be a part of the regeneration. I think people will be desperate to get out and feel a bit of normality and with so many new businesses opening up in Kingland Crescent I’m hoping that these local businesses will quickly begin to thrive and invigorate our much needed High Street.
How has Covid-19/Lockdown affected your business and what are your plans for the year ahead as we start to move out of lockdown?
Covid- 19 changed my world instantly. I went from being an event manager to starting my own business, being offered a shop, decorating and gutting the shop all within 2 months! I turned around the shopfit in 2 weeks with doors ready to open on the 2nd of January, however we ended up going into instant lockdown the night before we planned to open! We haven’t opened our doors officially yet, I’ve managed to create a website allowing people to order with click and collect, along with local deliveries. At the moment, I’m helping people bring the outside in, working on lots of exciting collaborations and ensuring that I can stock some of the best greenery related products around.
Anything else you’d like to say?
I just want to take this opportunity to say a massive thank you to everyone who has supported me, purchased from Wild Roots, interacted with me on social media and even knocked on the shop door with messages of encouragement and positivity. It means the world to me and continues to give me so much motivation during these tricky times.
For more information visit www.wildrootsgreenery.co.uk/shop
