Custom Solutions for A Beloved Local Business
Barlow Flower Farm & Garden Center was located in Sea Girt, NJ and was founded by Steve & Leslie Barlow in 1983. My role was to marry traditional farm operations with digital strategies to bring the brand to the forefront of local and nationwide gardeners.
Online Plant Shopping
Tasked with exploring new channels of selling homegrown plants to local audiences, an online store was built through Shopify. Managed entire project including:
Designing and launching Shopify store
Creating entire product catalog of live plants and gardening supplies including photos, videos, and copy
Navigating logistical challenges of curbside pickup and local delivery
Inventory management across multiple locations
Integrating marketing channels including email and social
Analyzing customer behavior and optimizing content to maximize conversions
Achievements:
450% increase in web sales over previous WordPress site
Custom password-protected web sales for local online fundraising events, raising thousands of dollars for local PTOs, sports teams, and nonprofit organizations
Print Publications
Spring Lake Magazine
A local publication featuring the people, places, and events that make Spring lake & Sea Girt so special. I’ve happily contributed both photo and copy in seasonal gardening articles for local homeowners.
Articles Published
Graphic Design & Content Creation
Barlow’s Youtube Channel
Education is a cornerstone in the world of garden center marketing, and Barlow’s reputation for plant knowledge was bolstered through the YouTube presence.
Project Management
In 2023, Barlow’s celebrated the 40th anniversary of the family business. Part of the 40th Anniversary campaign was overseeing the creation of a heartfelt TV-ready commercial.
Educational Graphics
Taking complicated concepts and condensing them into digestible graphics is a transferrable skill, and one I enjoy.
Awards & Recognitions
New Jersey Agricultural Society
Barlow Flower Farm: Winner of the 2025 Tony Russo Farmers Marketing Award
The Tony Russo Farmers Marketing Award is presented to a farm market that develops unique marketing plans and tools that promote the sale of farm products to the non-farm public.
Proudly secured the 2025 Tony Russo Farmers Marketing Award for the Barlow family.
In charge of the event calendar for the garden center, including free educational classes, paid intensive lectures, make-and-take workshops, community fundraising, and more.
Events
Winter Makers Market
What better way to beat the winter blues than strolling around a gorgeous greenhouse filled with houseplants & flowers? Each January, over 120 local small businesses and vendors would gather for two weekends in the Barlow’s greenhouse - to celebrate community, collaborate, and raise money for the local food bank. Proudly fundraised enough to provide over 20,000 meals over the duration of the Winter Makers Market.
Educational Classes & Workshops
There’s no better way to empower your audience to champion your brand than through education. Whether utilizing my colleagues’ expansive knowledge or bringing in local subject experts, keeping Barlow’s event calendar full was the backbone to customer education.
Yoga in the greenhouse, led by Inlet Yoga of Manasquan
Floral arranging workshop led by Amber & Earth
Educational farm tours for local elementary schools
Botanical bundle dyeing workshop with Earthly