Category Archives: Mastery

Sprouting Life

Seedlings

It was never my intention to get technical with my blog. But I have to admit that it is awfully hard to talk about reproducing plants from seedlings without getting into complex systems and processes. Nonetheless, for those interested in propagation at Houweling’s, I’m going to try to limit the technical talk and give you a lesson, with a quick and easy Q & A format. I have also included an interesting 60 second video tour conducted by my nephew Ruben, who is Houweling’s Propagation Manager.… Read more

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Mindsets & Manifestos

I’ve always thought of manifestos as politically-driven calls to action. Worldwide, the “Communist Manifesto” is probably the best known, but I suspect that you, like me, have never read a single word of it. In fact, it was news to me that businesses also have manifestos. I read Tim Cook’s version of The Apple Way soon after Steve Jobs passed away and now I understand why Apple’s employees are so motivated and loyal.… Read more

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What I Learned from Steve Jobs

I finally finished Walter Isaacson’s 650 page biography of Steve Jobs. There is a lot I liked about the book – most of Jobs’ business principles mirror my own beliefs in how I want to lead my company, especially his entrepreneurial spirit and brilliant vision of the future. Imagine having the confidence to make what people would buy without ever asking them. Like many geniuses in their field, he had a unique personality – a man who could be cruel, belligerent, controlling, aloof, introspective, intense, weird, passionate, driven and stubborn.… Read more

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Scrumptious Tomatoes – We’ll do Our Part, Please do Yours

I’ve been around tomato greenhouses since I was a kid. That’s why I’m not the least bit bashful about telling people a thing or two about tomatoes. As for blogging . . .  never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be writing stories about tomatoes in cyberspace (do people still call it that?). For me, writing doesn’t come easy. It’s like trying to nail jelly to a tree. So, at the outset, I’m going to be completely honest with you.… Read more

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