Name: Southern Charm Garden Center

Address: 111 Commerce Park Road, Franklin

Phone Number: 757-562-7373

Operating Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday in season

Nature of Business: Garden center and landscaping services

Owner: Mary Ann Turner

Year Founded: 2008

Prior Location: We ran a landscaping business from our Sedley home for seven years before opening the garden center.

Number of Employees: Three to four.

How’s Business: Great. The warm weather is here and I think people are ready to get into their flower beds.

One thing you wish everyone knew about your business: We are a full-service garden center with horticulture experience and offering one-on-one customer service. We have a gift shop that carries flags, mailbox covers, fountains, spring/summer merchandise, flip flops, Tervis Tumblers and more. We turn the shop into Christmas time during the winter and sell fresh trees and wreathes. We carry trees, shrubs, annuals, perennials, hanging baskets and vegetable plants that are grown locally. We have four colors in bulk, in addition to topsoil, sand and compost.

Something you offer that a customer won’t find elsewhere: Customer service. You will be greeted with a smile and hello when you enter the store and we will kindly carry your goods to your car.

Advice to young entrepreneurs: If you have a dream, make it happen. Don’t let anyone bring you down. Have faith in God, and all things are possible.

Your first job: Pool window girl at the Country Club

Your role model: First my Dad. He has always told me that I could do anything as long as I put my mind to it. He has always stood by me and made me the person I am today. Second, my husband, for standing by me and joining me in pursing my dream; without him I wouldn’t be where I am today.

The key to a successful business is: A lot of hard work. Nothing in life comes easy, and if you want it, you’ve got to work hard for it. Take the good with the bad and always keep a positive attitude. Give your customers what they want and the service they deserve.