Make Sure Your Retirement Plans Don’t Affect Your Team’s Morale

By Brian D. Sparks|September 5, 2025

I was recently digging through the feedback we received from Greenhouse Grower’s Top 100 Growers survey, which we conducted this past spring. One of the questions we asked was “What are you most excited about when it comes to the future of floriculture?”

I was especially looking forward to how our audience of growers answered this question, and I was indeed rewarded with lots of great thoughts, ranging from “Young gardeners getting into the industry and discovering a love for plants” to “I think we are on the cusp of great improvements in pest and disease resistance, as well as technology innovations.” My personal favorite response was “I believe that floriculture helps people to be happier and healthier, and I’m excited that we are part of the solution.”

Scattered among those optimistic sentiments, however, were a couple answers that gave me pause because they were focused on getting out of the business, either through retirement or by selling the company. I understand that, to a degree. The opportunity to retire and proudly look back at many years of hard work and career success is something to which many of us aspire.

But I do wonder about two things. First, do what degree are you expressing these sentiments to your team? Are you still actively involved in the business, or are you working with one foot out the door? I fear that too much of the latter might send the wrong message; if you don’t care, why should the rest of the team?

Second, are you prepared (or rather, is your business prepared) for this exit? Retirement is a lofty goal, but the “what’s next” stage also needs to include the future of your company.