Question & Answer with Mr. Rodney Flemming
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Mr. Rodney Flemming
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Mr. Rodney Flemming is one of Nevis’ most popular horticulturists and has made a name for himself doing business as RBM Nursery, Landscaping and Maintenance Services. In this exclusive interview with Ron Daniel, Mr. Flemming speaks about why he decided to enter the horticulture business, gives advice to others that may be interested in horticulture, speaks about the importance of his wife to the business and his worst experience as a horticulturist.
Q: - When did you get into horticulture and why did you decide to go into it full time?
A:- I got into Horticulture back in 1996 when I worked at the Botanical Garden. I was instrumental in getting the gardens ready for when it opened as well as Caribbean Cove. Both Caribbean Cove and the Botanical Gardens were owned by Mr. Murphy and so me and my staff did all the preparations for both openings. I was also elevated from the post of Supervisor to Manager of the Botanical Gardens so I was seriously involved in horticulture. In 2002, myself and the Botanical Gardens parted ways and after lots of thought, consultation with my wife and a few other people I decided that I didn’t want to work for anyone else again and that I would do my own thing. People who were impressed with my work at the Botanical Gardens and the Caribbean Cove brought their business to me and I just decided to keep trusting in God and stick to it and I have not changed since.
Q: - I understand that you were actually a farmer, then moved to horticulture. Why did you make the change and do you still do farming?
A:-. Yes I was a farmer and I love farming. However it was hard for me to invest sometimes 12 hours a day in my farm and then not be able to get my produce sold. At the time the Department of Agriculture and its Marketing department had some serious issues and many times none of my produce were sold. I remember producing over $30,000.00 worth of onions and having to go back to Marketing to toss them into the sea because they sat there and spoiled. So I realized it wasn’t profitable to me so I went into horticulture. However I am back into farming because I love it. Here at the nursery I plant a bit of tomatoes and those have been selling well. I have been requesting some land from the government for the past two years to go into farming as well but to no avail. Recently I approached the new government about going back into farming and within a week, a backhoe was here to clean off the land so in the not too distant future I will not only be offering plants but also fresh top quality produce for the people of Nevis.
Q: - There are not many horticulturists in Nevis even presently. How was it for you in the early stages of the business especially as opposed to presently?
~~Adz:Right~~ A:- In the early stages it was quite tough. I had some serious obstacles to overcome especially financially. I was short on money and short on opportunities. However I stuck to it knowing that better times were coming. Now things are much better. I have done projects for Four Seasons, Deon and Associates, the Charlestown Sea Port, the Airport and a wide range of other clients. To compare it, is like night and day and I just thank God for his blessings on me. I know there is still much more to go but I thank God for helping me to get thus far.
Q: - What services does RBM Nursery, Landscaping and Maintenance Services offer and how can one contact you?
A:-. Well we offer consultancy services for all your landscaping needs. We offer advice on the right type of soil for the various plants to grow well, we provide possible designs for your gardens and provide the plants for it. Additionally we offer landscaping services, we sell plants, we sell tomatoes. Basically anything that involves horticulture and landscaping, we do it and we do it to the very best of our ability. Give us a call at 469-4770, Fax 469-4770 or cell phone 662-8887 or email us rbmnursery@hotmail.com…and we will be happy to be of service to you. We are located in Cades Bay on the main Road with a huge sign so it will be very hard for you to miss us.
Q:- Why should one go to RBM Nursery, Landscaping and Maintenance Services as opposed to any other business that offers similar services? ~~Adz:Right~~
A:- Well with RBM you can be assured that you will be getting quality for your money. As they say the proof is in the pudding and we have provided services for a wide range of large clients and clients keep coming back. I wouldn’t really look at it as a competition. As I like to say there is room for everyone and if we would learn to work together in Nevis, we would be even better off.
Q:-There must have been many ups and downs since you began operations. Can you briefly tell us of one of your worst experiences since you were in business as well as one of your best?
A:- Well the worst experience I had was the unfortunate breakup between myself and my former business partner. My advice to anyone going into business with another person is that if there isn’t a written contract where the roles and responsibilities of both parties are not clearly outlined, then don’t even enter into that business relationship. However my best experience was getting the garden ready for the opening of the Vance W. Amory International Airport. I had just opened my own business and had less than four weeks to do it. I was not sure I could get it done because I had to order plants from overseas and get everything ready but I got it done and that really gave me the confidence that I could make it on my own. It was my first job per se and I was able to accomplish it quicker than I ever expected.
Q: - What advice would you give to others who are interested in entering the horticulture business?
~~Adz:Right~~ A:- I would just tell them to work hard. As I said there is room for everyone so yes anyone thinking of it can join. RBM can never get all. They just have to be prepared to work hard and know that everyday wont be Christmas. You may have a good month, then have a month where no one wants your services. You may also have three good months but it is important not to squander your money away but to re-invest in the business. You also have to be prepared not to make a profit in your first couple years of operations. No one makes a profit right away so you have to be prepared for the losses but you can survive.
Q:- Looking back now; Do you have any major regrets having entered the horticulture business?
A:-. I have absolutely NO regrets. My customers tell me that they are satisfied and once they are satisfied, then so am I. It was difficult at first but I have made it through and I am grateful.
Q:-What do you do in your spare time? Can you share with us some of your hobbies or interests?
A: Well my spare time is spent with my wife and kids. I pick up my kids 3:30 every day from school and after that my time is spent with my family. My family is so important to me and I just absolutely love spending time with them so that’s what I do.
Q: - Is there anyone that you would like to thank before we end this interview?
A:-First and foremost I want to thank God for just giving me the health, strength and guidance throughout. I have to thank all of my customers for their patronage over the years. I would like to thank Mr. Le Blanc and Lawyer Lee Walwyn Bowrin who has really been a friend and good legal counsel. I would also like to thank Mr. Elvin Bailey because it is he who advised me that government had a scheme for small businesses. I cannot forget Mr. Hastings R. Daniel who helped me do up my business proposal and has always been there to give me very useful advice. I would like to reserve special thanks for my wife, Mrs. Melissa Flemming. To me I have the best wife in the whole wide world. A wife is to be cherished and treated well and I always try to do that. She is my wife, my friend, my business partner and my darling. She means so much to me and I love her dearly.
