Working with you to see your business grow

Garden Centre Mentoring

Running a garden centre is hard work. Between managing stock, staff, seasonal swings, and keeping customers coming back, it can be difficult to find the time — or the outside perspective — to work on your business, not just in it.

That’s where we come in. Hilton and Tracy Blake have over 35 years of experience owning and managing independent retail businesses across Australia. They know the garden industry inside and out, and they’re passionate about helping garden centre owners like you build a business that’s profitable, sustainable, and genuinely enjoyable to run.

Introducing the Growing Together Program

The Growing Together Program is our hands-on mentoring program designed specifically for Australian garden centre owners and managers. It’s practical, results-driven, and tailored to where your business is right now — and where you want it to go.

The program covers:

  • Store appraisal — a thorough review of your merchandising, layout, and customer traffic flow
  • Marketing & branding — building a consistent presence that attracts and retains customers
  • Business planning — setting clear goals and a realistic roadmap to achieve them
  • Budgeting & KPI monitoring — knowing your numbers so you can make confident decisions
  • Industry benchmarking — understanding how your business compares and where the opportunities are

We work alongside you to identify the areas holding your business back and put clear strategies in place to move forward. Whether you’re looking to increase revenue, improve your team’s performance, sharpen your marketing, or simply get better visibility over your numbers — we’ve seen it all, and we can help.

Monthly KPI Monitoring & Budgeting

Staying on top of your numbers is one of the most powerful things you can do for your business. Each month, we review your key performance indicators and budget figures to track progress, spot trends early, and keep you on course toward your goals. (Figures to be supplied to Hilton monthly.)

Annual Workshop Day

Once a year, Hilton and Tracy bring owners and managers together for a full workshop day. It’s a dedicated space to step back from the day-to-day, work through challenges, share what’s working, and set your direction for the year ahead. Practical, energising, and always worth the time.

Annual On-Site Garden Centre Appraisal

There’s nothing quite like fresh eyes on your store. Each year, Hilton visits your garden centre in person to carry out a detailed appraisal — reviewing your layout, merchandising, signage, customer experience, and more. You’ll receive a written report with photos and clear, actionable recommendations you can start implementing straight away.

Ongoing Support

Business doesn’t stop between appraisals, and neither do we. As part of the program, you have access to ongoing advice and support via phone and email — whether it’s a quick question, a marketing decision you want a second opinion on, or something more complex. We’re in your corner.

Who we work with