Today we’d like to introduce you to Nina McNeilly.
Hi Nina, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
After 30 years in an IT based position, I knew it was time to make a change. I began praying and looking for another opportunity. What could I do, what would engage me? I was too young to retire and do nothing. Grandma always said idle hands and brain were a danger. I thought I would go to work for a company in sales or something. The only thing that came up consistently was hydroponic farming of microgreens. I used my technical abilities to build the systems and my love of gardening to grow. My mother and grandmothers were big gardeners, so they showed me how to plant and grow.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There are always struggles. When I began, there were no standardized systems. No videos of this is how you build, grow, develop. Most of the businesses who did this were based on the west coast. I began by testing, trying, adapting. I approached chefs with a concept, asking them to let me try, grow and develop. The first system didn’t work well, take what did work, think about what didn’t work and evolve. The niche is something grown for the chef, fresh and local. The business is small, chef driven. I have added products and variations as the needs of the restaurants and cocktail bars evolved. The business is prayed over by a network of friends and family, I just show up to do the work.
As you know, we’re big fans of Derber Greens. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I grow hydroponic microgreens and edible flowers, year round. Flowers change with the season. Microgreens have an extremely short growing period yet are extremely nutritious. The combination provides a large variety of flavor and color profiles. People first eat with their eyes. An attractive plate will gain the attention of the customer.
How do you think about happiness?
I like when I drop off a product and the chef’s eyes light up. They can see how the product will enhance their creation. How it will build and add to the plate.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://derbergreens.com
