Generation Green’s Organic Growth
And a café too!
A health scare provided an unanticipated and unconventional path to entrepreneurship for Generation Green owner Sherry Sobey. Her business has evolved since a rare tumor pushed her to make changes for herself and ultimately to help others along a similar path.
The shop’s motto expresses her mission: Helping You Live Better… Naturally.
Q: Why did you start Generation Green? Where did you start?
A: I wanted to know more about the products I used on and around my body. I wanted to share what I learned with others. We were located at The Forks Market for five years before outgrowing the space and moving to Main Street in December 2017. This is our forever home.
Q: Why did you choose 433 Main Street?
A: I love the Exchange District. There’s a vibe, a community feel and history
here. We wanted to keep the feel with an industrial, open plan for the store.
There was room for us to open the Acorn Café. It’s one more step. We have
the products you put on and around you and now what you put inside you!
Q: How do you choose the products sold at Generation Green?
A: Our home and body products are safe for the environment and better for your health. We offer eco-friendly and sustainable products for environmentally conscious consumers. We stick to strict guidelines for ethical sourcing and source and purchase locally and with Canadian companies.
Q: What’s been the most surprising part of having a store?
A: You have to learn a little bit about everything. You wear many hats. I was not prepared for all the hats I would have to wear! My father-in-law has been my go-to for advice. He had a business for 25 years. My kids are older now (Sherry is a mom to three young adult sons). Sometimes I ask myself, ‘How long have I been here today?’ The store is also my home, my family. I’m surrounded by great, passionate people who work here.
Q: What advice do you have for other business owners?
A: Customer service is the most important. I treat customers the way I would want to be treated, by building connections. It isn’t about a sale in the moment, it’s about building a relationship based on trust. Empower your staff. It was a staff member with an interest in social media who grew our Instagram to more than 10,000 followers. The café is managed by an employee who dreamed of opening a café. I told her to take it and run with it. I rely on them.
Q: What’s next for Generation Green?
A: In January, we launched our Wildflower Project podcast, connecting our journeys by starting conversations. We want to expand the workshops we offer. And we’d love to take the Acorn Café on the road to Manitoba festivals and we’re thinking of refurbishing a horse trailer to do it!
All Photos by Kristhine Guerrero
