Running a seasonal business like a Christmas tree farm could be a
little unnerving to some, but Taylor said with a little budget management
and good scheduling, the business works well.
"My dad works for me part time-I don't call in "dad "anymore,
I call him Charlie-but helps out mostly with the maintenance of the equipment.
I think that's the hardest part-the budgeting, managing, scheduling, is
pretty easy, and I like making all of the decisions; getting the land ready,
what trees to plant where. "
Taylor manages five part-time employees, although on any given day 2-3 of
them may be working.
It's nice having a small business because you have to produce the product,
sell it and run the business side, "Taylor said. "What's different
about the Christmas tree business is that I work all year just to be open
one month, but it makes it worthwhile when the people come and have a great
time.
An average day for Taylor not only depends on the weather, but what time
of year it is. Winter means equipment and property maintenance, well spring
brings planning and planting chores. Summer gets busier as trees are sheared
for shape, and fall work begins in earnest to get the farm ready for December
customers.
"I work year around, "Taylor said, "a lot of people think
I work only around Christmas, but it's a constant cycle. It's nothing like
a 9 to 5 day-there's a constant flow of different things at different times.
"
Most people in the Christmas tree business are husband and wife teams, and
have really good trees. I'm very particular about our trees, because that's
what are customers demand. "
And its the trees-along with unique weekend events-that bring people from
more than an hour's drive away to the New Lymn farm.