Today we’d like to introduce you to Mackenzie Leek.
Hi Mackenzie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Hi there, I’m Mackenzie, Marketing Director at Maypop Coffee and Garden Shop. Like so many others, I left remote work in public health to return to plants + photography + people IRL. I started part-time at Maypop in February 2021 doing outdoor plant care, and realized immediately – my joy jam was back. I was revived by the lush greenhouse in those early, chilly months, and Maypop’s trifecta of founders – Tammy Behm, Laura Tetley, and Laura Caldee. It was fascinating seeing the three sail a wild ship amidst a pandemic, and how they pivoted so craftily to keep business abound. As the growing season arrived, I was full-fledged enthralled by creating decorative porch pots, talking with folks about expanding their gardens and helping to design landscapes. I transitioned to full-time Perennials Dept. Lead in August and enjoyed witnessing each season at Maypop, every flavor of human interaction, and all angles of small business expansion. In December, I leapt into Maypop’s Marketing Director position and have been collaborating with the raddest of STL ever since. I live for connecting dots between neighbors and sharing what we love being, doing, and creating. Events and every day doings at Maypop bring a fun mix of folks together in a home, back yard, and greenhouse to relish over some of nature’s best – plants + coffee + art.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Challenges are inevitable when it comes to building and expanding a business. While my time with Maypop has been a little over a year, I think there have been many lessons learned these past four years with supply and demand of the industry, building relationships, and being able to finesse through uncertainty. At Maypop we believe biodiversity is key and that we can all be creators of landscapes and homes that nourish, entertain, inspire, and heal. What has challenged us has definitely grown us and we are always returning to the drawing board to refresh and regroup as we all continue to evolve.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As Marketing Director at Maypop, I oversee promoting and building our brand, product, and mission. That sounds boring in words, but each day is a colorful array of engaging via social media, corresponding with local creators to collaborate in upcoming events, and meeting elated folks at the register with their newest plant friend. We are a small yet mighty staff of 13 with loads of experience and interests, and do a dandy dance to meet each task at hand.
I am most proud of the connections and relationships built via my work. I meet each person and situation as an opportunity to elevate the experience for all involved. I love seeing people come to life through nature and together over a cup of coffee. There’s many layers to us all and being able to humanize the process goes a long way when it comes to a customer walking away feeling empowered to grow their garden, nurture a houseplant, or return with a friend next visit. Going from the greenhouse to the cafe and up to the office allots multiple chances to appreciate the biodiversity of our plant and human community always buzzing and building via Maypop.
Maypop is a gorgeous native vine that presents show-stopper summer blooms. It is an edible flower and loved by insects, bats, and hummingbirds. Also known as passionflower, it is a true representation of the spirit of Maypop staff and community. We love engaging with nature and the many many makers and movers of St Louis. Everyone that comes to Maypop knows they can also connect with that same life-giving energy.
What matters most to you?
People helping people. Always. We were put here to make sense of it all and the more we can lift each other up, the more we get to enjoy the ride.
Contact Info:
- Email: marketing@maypopshop.com
- Website: www.maypopshop.com
- Instagram: maypop_shop
- Facebook: Maypop Coffee & Garden Shop @maypopshop
- Other: Tik Tok @maypop_shop
