Plant Magic - Bristol Business of the Week
Posted on: 25 Aug 2014This week's Bristol Business of the Week is Plant Magic based in Ashton. They produce a range of nutrients and potions that are working wonders for the chilli plants growing in our office as well as for gardeners around the country. They were also a huge sponsor for the Impact Barbarians Charity Rugby last weekend and helped them raise £10,219 for The Jessie May Trust and Children's Hospice South West. We caught up with Plant Magic's Managing Director Steve Webb to find out a bit more.
1. When did you set up Plant Magic ?
Plant Magic was officially established in November 2008. However there was alot of market research and trial period to test the market place for innovotive products and to gauge a response which proved positive .... It all started when I used to run a now successful garden retail outlet, we were importing certain products from America which seemed to get more and more expensive. Long story short I got laid off and appointed a UK based laboratory to conduct trial works and formulations for similar products, I eventually went to market with the products .... Plant Magic was formed.
2. Are you from Bristol?
Originally not from these neck of the woods however I moved to Bristol at some stage towards the latter part of 2000. I regard Bristol as my home now, it is a great City and would strongly encourage any business to move here as the people are lovely, willing to work and there is a great social aspect to the City too which is always a bonus!
3. How's business?
It's growing (no pun intended), we're still really in our infancy stage and would hope that we will be here and thriving for many years to come. We still receive positive feedback about our products. I think being a fairly small company still allows us to adopt the personal touch attitude that some of the corporate companies steam roll over making the customer feel a little un-loved .... we try our upmost to satisfy most, if not all of our customers (both retailers and end users).
4. Tell us about your business?
We manufacture fertilizers, growing media, beneficial fungi, bacteria & microbes, biostimulants and a whole range of additives. We're at exciting times right now as we are due to launch our new range of products to hit a garden centre near you soon! This new range of products is like NO OTHER and I don't thisnk this is particularly the right place to start punting these products .... keep an eye on our Facebook & Twitter pages or our website (www.plantmagicplus.co.uk) for more info.
5. How do you find running an independent business in Bristol?
As mentioned above it is great.
6. Where do you like to eat out in Bristol?
For me, I tried that new "SpitFire" place over by the Harbourside t'other week. Boy oh boy I have never had ribs like it ... so from now on that is most defo my fave place to eat out, they have loungers at the front to chillax on so a great atmosphere which is essential after a loooong day / week in the office.
7. What's your favourite place in Bristol?
This is a tricky one, it used to be a nice chillout afternoon sat up the Downs however I quite like a stroll round Ashton Court to unwind. If I was 15 years younger I would probably be saying some Mc Donalds car park with all the boy racers haha!
8. Where do you see Plant Magic in 5 years time?
Going on the growth we have achieved over the last 6 years I would like to think our workforce would double and that we would obtain more export as well as commercial accounts. It would be nice to see our products in most nurseries / garden centres countrywide taking on the likes of Westlands and Miracle Grow but we will just keep working to promote ourselves and hopefully with our chilled approach more and more retail outlets will come on board.
9. What advice would you give to any aspiring Bristol small business owners?
DON'T GIVE UP!!! In any new business venture you will nearly always get the "lull" period of no sales, raising doubt in your mind, stresses, depression .... bloomin eck I'll stop now as I'm not trying to put anyone off! Just go into it with your eyes wide open. Any new business is a gamble, it has taken me a few businessess before I got this one right and I am still learning. Don't kid yourself as what you might perceive as the next best thing since sliced bread, keep your eyes open and think outside of the box as it were.
10. If you were Mayor of Bristol for a day which one thing would you change?
I wouldn't necessarily change something but would instigate something ... I would close the entire centre of Bristol for a day and have a massive food fight party. This would bring communities together and the kids would love it!!
Plant Magic can be contacted at
Unit 12, Liberty Industrial Park, Ashton
Bristol, BS3 2SU
Phone 0117 978 2499
Email. info@plant-magic.co.uk
Website. www.plantmagicplus.co.uk
Article by:
Born and raised in the suburbs of Swansea, Jimmy moved to Bristol back in 2004 to attend university. Passionate about live music, sport, science and nature, he can usually be found walking his cocker spaniel Baxter at any number of green spots around the city. Call James on 078 9999 3534 or email Editor@365Bristol.com.
