Meet Ashley Porter | Horticulturist & Interior Specialist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ashley Porter and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashley, what do you attribute your success to?
I really stand firm on the belief that success is measured by how much impact you can have on your community and field of passion. As the business has grown it feels amazing to have been able to support our local schools, community organizations and continue to bring in products into the store that support families across the world striving for a better life. A big goal of mine is to eventually be able to fund botanical conservation projects in some of the countries I’ve traveled to. This means botanical gardens and restoration projects in Borneo, Madagascar, and Socotra. We are in the process of planting example gardens at the nursery from different global regions, and the concept is to eventually have talks and plant sales coordinated with the different gardens where the funds go directly to conservation projects in those parts of the world. In a round about way I’m saying that I think the passion of reconnecting people with the natural world has driven our success and hopefully that will continue to grow and make impacts both locally and globally that will last for years down the road.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I have a nursery/plant + home store in Cloverdale, Ca. I started it 8 years ago with my two business partners, after 13 years in the industry working/buying for other nurseries. I think a big thing that sets us apart is our customer relations and service. We are real people with real lives experiences and feelings and we share that with our customers and give them a space and open arms where they can do the same with us. So many conversations in our space are not about the products/ plants etc they are about life. It all weaves into the store and I think it makes people come back and feel like it’s kind of an oasis from all the hectic things going on in the rest of their worlds. Since our vibe is organic modern it definitely leads to a calm feeling when you come in, and our personal approach is relaxed with heart. I’m really proud to have created that for people. I have traveled extensively and we bring in faire trade products from across the globe, which adds to our uniqueness & interest both inside & outside.

I’ve been working full time since I was a junior in high school. I got into trouble as a younger kid, and went through some really rough patches, so went on independent studies mid high school. Once I started working it gave me a sense of pride, and when I started working at my first nursery at 18 it was kind of my salvation. Something about the connection to other living things without judgement or un reasonable expectations really ignited a passion that is still there and I love sharing with others. I always new I wanted my own business.

It hasn’t been easy at all, we started the nursery in a drought, have been through 3 separate years of fires in our area, and a pandemic. In the drought we leaned heavy on my favorite plants from South Africa, Australia, and Cal natives teaching people that you can still garden and the best ways to do so, including drought tolerant veggie gardening practices (I’m certified in permaculture) Through the fires we just became a place of refuge, we donated as much as we could to relief programs and offered our space to park, and clean water if needed.. In the pandemic while the doors where closed we offered free local delivery for anything, and curbside pick up. I posted regular availability lists on all social media platforms, and took orders via dms, email, and over the phone. One of my partners and I were working 16 hr days almost every day for 2 months (similar to the hours we were working the first few years in biz) That pivot saved us. Once we were able to open but with caution we did 30-60 minute appointments where the shopper had the whole place to themselves.

The most important thing I think I’ve learned is to really meet people where they are at, to not be afraid to be yourself in your business even if it means crying, and being honest about your own experiences and hardships. And that when you allow your passion to shine through, it will evolve into something greater that you expect.

I want the world to know that our space is for everyone, and that we can all make an impact.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We’re a little town so I think both exploring in the town and the outlying areas would be the way to go.

I’d recommend staying at the Pinschower Inn for a few days which is a beautiful victorian building with an amazing ornamental and edible garden right in town and then switching it up to The Ranch House, a vacation rental that totally encompasses Cloverdale country living with an upscale Sonoma county vibe.

For food I’d say Plank in the morning for amazing coffee and breakfast or pastries (one or two lunches their too because the avocado toast and greens sando is the bomb) . For lunch El Milagro and Picks drive in. For dinner the newest spot is the Beet Wine lounge and it’s great for Mediterranean food and an excellent wine list. I also love Thai 101 and The Wolf House Brew pub,

Shopping top spots are So Co Trading Company, 14 Feet, Erin Mavis Clothing, and Bolt Fabric.

I think the days should be spent wandering around grabbing coffee, good food and taking the time to chat with locals. We have a great walk that can be accessed from town that goes right along the river and is beautiful year round.

I also think no week long trip to Cloverdale would be complete without a drive up to Hopland and a drive out to the coast to visit Mendocino and Fort Bragg.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’ve had incredibly strong women in my life that I’m grateful for like my mother and grandmother. Also have been inspired by the likes of Jane Goodall, and my middle school science teach Mr.Noddings (who saw my passions early on even though I was somewhat of a pain in th a&% at that point in life) and most recently Ahmed Affrah who is extremely passionate about conserving the natural world of his homeland Socotra, Yemen, he really re-ignited the love & hope I have for protecting this incredible planet.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cloverdalenursery/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/cloverdale-nursery-cloverdale