The Maven Herself: Martha Stewart

Jennifer Polanz

That’s right, Martha Stewart will be appearing at the 2014 IGC Show in Chicago as a keynote speaker. Here’s our very own Ellen Wells’ take on it:

If I was excited that social media and marketing guru Peter Shankman was keynoting the IGC Show last year, I’m through the roof on hearing Martha Stewart will take the spotlight at next year’s show in Chicago, scheduled for August 19-21.

Why? Because under that chambray shirt and perfectly coiffed hair, Martha is a gritty businesswoman—and a survivor. Sure, she can make an exquisite croquembouche and has a begonia collection to rival Lloyd Traven’s. But more importantly she built an empire out of what was considered “women’s work” and brought some well-deserved attention to and respect for how difficult that work can be. She nearly lost it all, yes. But she has gotten much of it back.

Martha is someone we can learn from, and during her keynote IGC Show founder Jeff Morey will pry out as many of those learning moments as he can during a Q&A with Martha on stage. Specifically he’s gunning for Martha’s thoughts on the “gardening and consumer lifestyle trends that matter most to the success of independent garden center owners and operators.” I for one also want to know more about building an unshakeable empire.

Jeff got the idea for inviting Martha to the IGC Show after seeing her on “The Today Show” last summer.

“I had ‘The Today Show’ on, and Martha was doing a gardening segment out on the plaza. She really championed IGCs to the audience,  recommending they go to their local garden centers for their plants and supplies,” Jeff says.  “I had our booking agency in New York City extend the keynote invitation to Martha, and she accepted!” GP