Growing good business

Located in the outskirts of Oberlin College’s vibrant campus in Northeast Ohio sits Tyler’s Farm  – a 6,000-square-foot hydroponic greenhouse that produces more than 15 different varieties of leafy greens.

The owner, Tyler Gogolek, opened Tyler’s Farm after he and his wife decided it was time for him do what he always wanted -- become his own boss.

Gogolek graduated from Ohio State University’s Agricultural Technical Institute in 1995 and worked in the field for two years. But afterward he secured a position at a nuts and bolts factory and took a long break from the greenhouse industry. 

In 2010, Gogolek dove back into horticulture and worked for a large floriculture operation in the area. Then, 18 months ago, he chose to go out on his own, this time growing produce. 

“My wife [asked] me, ‘What’s holding you back? Is it the money or are you afraid?’” Gogolek says. “I said both, and she said, ‘Well, get over being afraid and let’s find some money and make your dream come true.’”

Now, Tyler’s Farm's leafy greens - including Swiss chard, kale, arugula, mustard blends, oak leaf lettuce, romaine and spinach - are sold to a variety of outlets, including grocery stores, restaurants, farmers markets and institutions like Oberlin College.

Gogolek, who also grows about 10,000 mums yearly for local customers, says CropKing was instrumental in helping him add produce to his repertoire. He purchased his growing systems and recipes from the Lodi, Ohio-based company. He also leans on the CropKing team for its expertise in all areas of hydroponics -- from germination advice to pest and disease solutions to even marketing tips.

“Other than doing it for you themselves, they’re giving you everything you need,” he adds.

And while Gogolek calls on the team often for tips and support, it was CropKing’s Business Plan template that benefited him the most.

“Growing’s the easy part – but can you sell it? Can you maintain it? That’s another question,” he says. “There’s so much to the other aspect of the business.”

The template is designed as a “road map” to help growers understand the cost details of elements like greenhouse equipment, marketing, technical expertise and other supporting data. But it’s also a tool to assist in achieving financing.

“[The plan] helps you make all the numbers jive so you can present it to a lender,” he says. Gogolek used it to help him estimate natural gas costs, water usage, electricity and other potential expenditures based on his expectations for the business. 

Gogolek says the product has already paid for itself. “It allowed us to find out truthfully if it was going to work or not,” he says.

Now, a year and a half later, the actual numbers have added up to be extremely close to what the business plan originally projected. And Gogolek is back to doing what he loves full-time.

“CropKing answers your calls. They get right back to you. If they don’t know the answer, they find out right away for you,” he says. “They’re very pleasing to get along with, and they’re in the business to make you succeed.” 

Photos courtesy of Tyler Gogolek