Empowering Women in Business: Meet Two Female Botanical Entrepreneurs

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Empowering Women in Business: Meet Two Female Botanical Entrepreneurs

At SecondFlor, we believe in the power of bold women who dare to turn their passions into successful ventures. Today, to celebrate International Women’s Day, we’re highlighting two inspiring American entrepreneurs whose love for the botanical world has led them to create businesses that flourish with creativity and determination. These women have fearlessly embraced the challenges of entrepreneurship, and with the support of SecondFlor, they continue to grow and elevate their businesses with confidence. 

Ginger: Founder of Xanadu Botanicals & Design, Creating Innovative Green Spaces

Ginger Harwerth, founder of Xanadu Botanicals & Design, began her journey in the plant and design industry back in 1988, when she established her business with her husband. Now, she’s the sole proprietor of the award-wining Xanadu Botanicals & Design. Ginger places paramount importance on quality and service, values that have been instrumental in the company's growth and success.

Based in Laurel, Maryland, Xanadu Botanicals & Design specializes in crafting preserved moss walls, creating captivating interior landscapes, and designing festive holiday decorations.

Xanadu's Holiday Decor

Ginger is a firm believer in the principles of biophilic design, emphasizing the importance of nature in our lives. She observes that in our stressful world, people need nature to stay centered. Reflecting on the beauty of nature and being immersed in its presence can soften the stressful aspects of life. She feels that their work serves as a necessary bridge, bringing sanity and tranquility to people's lives.

In 2022, Xanadu Botanicals & Design received a Platinum Award in the Moss Wall category at the Biophilic Design Awards, as featured in I-Plants Magazine. This recognition underscores the company's commitment to excellence and innovation in integrating nature into interior spaces.

Xanadu's Moss Wall

Ginger attributes the company's success to a dedicated team and core values of quality and service. She encourages aspiring women entrepreneurs to trust their instincts, work diligently, and view challenges as opportunities for growth.

Ginger's partnership with SecondFlor has been a significant milestone for the company. The availability of quality preserved moss and plants from SecondFlor has enhanced their design capabilities. Ginger praises SecondFlor's excellent customer service, noting that having a new reliable supplier in the U.S. has been a game-changer for their operations.

For women aspiring to succeed in the plant design industry, Ginger offers this advice: "Go with your gut! Work hard, always do your best. Do not let negativity bring you down—look at every bump in the road as a learning experience and move forward with positivity, using those learned lessons to improve your business." When it comes to speaking about someone who has had an impact on her career, she spontaneously mentions her mother, who has inspired her creativity, perseverance and kindness throughout her life.

In celebration of Women's Day, Ginger and her team will be showcasing their work at the "Women Mean Business Summit," sponsored by WBEC. The event is scheduled for Friday, March 21, 2025, at MGM National Harbor in Maryland. Attendees are invited to visit their booth to experience their designs firsthand and learn more about their mission to bring nature-inspired beauty to everyday spaces.

Looking ahead, Xanadu Botanicals & Design remains committed to pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the world of plants, moss, and design. They are constantly exploring new techniques and materials, aiming to stay ahead of the curve and continue creating beautiful and inspiring spaces for their clients.

Xanadu's Interior Plantscape

For more information, visit their website at https://xanadubd.com/ or follow them on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/xanadu_b_d/.

Melanie, Founder of House of Harstad: From Legal Expert to Botanical Artistry

Melanie from House of Harstad

After a distinguished 26-year career as a banking and corporate attorney, she felt a profound yearning to reconnect with her roots. This desire led to the founding of House of Harstad, a venture that seamlessly blends her legal acumen with her deep-seated love for nature.

House of Harstad specializes in biophilic design, an approach that integrates natural elements into built environments to promote well-being. This philosophy resonates deeply with her upbringing, where nature was not just a backdrop but a vital component of daily life. Growing up on a private fly-fishing camp along Wisconsin's St. Croix River, Melanie's childhood was steeped in nature's splendor. Isolated from urban life, she found companionship among the flora surrounding her, considering flowers and plants as some of her "first, best, and most enduring friends." This profound connection to nature during her formative years laid the foundation for her lifelong passion for biophilic design, seamlessly blending the natural world with human-made environments. Her designs often incorporate preserved flowers and plants, bringing the tranquility and beauty of the outdoors into interior spaces.

House of Harstad's creations

In building her business, she found an invaluable partner in SecondFlor. She praises the company for its impressive quality and variety of products, as well as its responsive and efficient communication. These attributes have been instrumental in the growth and success of House of Harstad.

Reflecting on her journey, she offers sage advice to women aspiring to succeed in any industry: "No growth comes from a place of comfort." This mantra has guided her transition from law to entrepreneurship, underscoring the importance of embracing challenges and stepping beyond familiar boundaries.

Her commitment to biophilic design is not merely professional but deeply personal. She believes that integrating natural elements into living spaces fosters a profound connection to nature, promoting mental and physical well-being. This vision aligns with a broader movement in design that emphasizes sustainability and harmony with the natural world.

In celebration of International Women's Day, she participated in a women's networking event, honoring the achievements and camaraderie of her peers. On March 8, she and her friends will get together to celebrate the day. 

She draws inspiration from her grandmothers, who educated her and nurtured her love for flowers, and from supportive friends and mentors like Jessica Hilde, Holly Connaker, and Carla Anderson. These relationships have been instrumental in her personal and professional growth, providing guidance, inspiration, and unwavering support. Melanie feels particularly grateful for her friendship with Carla, a friend she didn’t know she needed, who guides her in developing her brand in the most intuitive and authentic way possible. 

House of Harstad creations

Through House of Harstad, she continues to intertwine her life's passions, creating spaces that reflect the serenity and beauty of the natural world, much like the landscapes that shaped her youth.

Where to find her? House of Harstad’s website is coming soon. In the meantime you can follow Melanie on Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/houseofharstad/

The journeys of these remarkable women show us that passion, resilience, and innovation can truly transform industries. SecondFlor is proud to be a part of their entrepreneurial stories, offering the tools, inspiration, and support they need to thrive. We celebrate their success and look forward to witnessing the continued growth of their botanical businesses, as they inspire others to follow their dreams and make their mark in the world of preserved plants and flowers.