Holding Nothing Back | Last Episode of 2025 for The Plant Movement with Willie and Eddie
Wed Dec 31 2025
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On this Episode, host Willie Rodriguez and producer Eddie Gonzalez sit down for one of their most transparent and wide-ranging conversations yet. This episode isn’t about hype — it’s about reality.
From rising costs and labor shortages to market saturation, real estate pressure, and the future of nursery ownership, Willie and Eddie openly discuss what’s happening right now in the Green Industry and what it will take to survive, adapt, and lead moving forward.
The episode opens with gratitude — acknowledging A’s Ornamental Nursery, the team, and the clients who allow the podcast to exist as a platform for growth and learning. Willie also gives thanks to God for the opportunity to steward both the business and the responsibility that comes with having a voice in the industry.
Willie and Eddie also extend an open invitation to nursery owners, garden centers, landscapers, and industry professionals to step up and share their stories on the podcast in 2026 — because the industry needs more voices at the table.
Hard Topics That Need to Be Talked About
This episode tackles conversations many avoid:
Product pricing that hasn’t changed in decadesImmigration reform and its impact on laborWage increases and the real cost of doing businessRising interest rates and slowing home salesWhy only a shrinking percentage of the market still prioritizes plant qualityWillie shares perspective from his role on the FNGLA board, while Eddie brings a fresh lens as someone who didn’t grow up in the industry but understands its realities through lived experience.
Economic Pressure & Market Reality
Willie and Eddie break down:
Why 2023–2024 slowed the industryHow middle-class spending on landscapes has declinedWhy high-end landscapers remain booked months outThe saturation problem — too much product, not enough movementThe harsh reality facing small nurseries trying to survive rising rents and shrinking marginsThey also discuss real numbers: land prices, lease contracts, annual rent increases, and how owning property may be the only path to long-term stability for nurseries.
Leadership, Boundaries & Business Discipline
This episode reinforces powerful lessons learned in 2025:
Stop bending over backwards for people who don’t respect your businessRequest depositsProtect cash flowRespect your time, your team, and your boundariesNot everything works — and that’s okayWillie shares hard-earned wisdom on sacrifice, discipline, and what it truly takes to build something solid:
3 years to start5 years to become credible10 years to become stableSales Strategy, Risk & Transparency
The hosts walk through:
Slower summer months and the strategies used to survive themDiscounting excess inventory responsiblyCreative sales terms like 90-day pickupA major Clusia giveaway that cleared land, built goodwill, and sparked industry conversationThey also discuss how social media has become a portfolio, not a crutch — emphasizing transparency, quality, and trust over vanity metrics.
Looking Ahead
The episode closes with forward-thinking plans:
Inventory management systemsA future online plant storeStronger accountability across operationsA renewed commitment to community, honesty, and collaborationWillie and Eddie wrap up with gratitude, humility, and a reminder that challenges are often the
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Send us a text On this Episode, host Willie Rodriguez and producer Eddie Gonzalez sit down for one of their most transparent and wide-ranging conversations yet. This episode isn’t about hype — it’s about reality. From rising costs and labor shortages to market saturation, real estate pressure, and the future of nursery ownership, Willie and Eddie openly discuss what’s happening right now in the Green Industry and what it will take to survive, adapt, and lead moving forward. The episode opens with gratitude — acknowledging A’s Ornamental Nursery, the team, and the clients who allow the podcast to exist as a platform for growth and learning. Willie also gives thanks to God for the opportunity to steward both the business and the responsibility that comes with having a voice in the industry. Willie and Eddie also extend an open invitation to nursery owners, garden centers, landscapers, and industry professionals to step up and share their stories on the podcast in 2026 — because the industry needs more voices at the table. Hard Topics That Need to Be Talked About This episode tackles conversations many avoid: Product pricing that hasn’t changed in decadesImmigration reform and its impact on laborWage increases and the real cost of doing businessRising interest rates and slowing home salesWhy only a shrinking percentage of the market still prioritizes plant qualityWillie shares perspective from his role on the FNGLA board, while Eddie brings a fresh lens as someone who didn’t grow up in the industry but understands its realities through lived experience. Economic Pressure & Market Reality Willie and Eddie break down: Why 2023–2024 slowed the industryHow middle-class spending on landscapes has declinedWhy high-end landscapers remain booked months outThe saturation problem — too much product, not enough movementThe harsh reality facing small nurseries trying to survive rising rents and shrinking marginsThey also discuss real numbers: land prices, lease contracts, annual rent increases, and how owning property may be the only path to long-term stability for nurseries. Leadership, Boundaries & Business Discipline This episode reinforces powerful lessons learned in 2025: Stop bending over backwards for people who don’t respect your businessRequest depositsProtect cash flowRespect your time, your team, and your boundariesNot everything works — and that’s okayWillie shares hard-earned wisdom on sacrifice, discipline, and what it truly takes to build something solid: 3 years to start5 years to become credible10 years to become stableSales Strategy, Risk & Transparency The hosts walk through: Slower summer months and the strategies used to survive themDiscounting excess inventory responsiblyCreative sales terms like 90-day pickupA major Clusia giveaway that cleared land, built goodwill, and sparked industry conversationThey also discuss how social media has become a portfolio, not a crutch — emphasizing transparency, quality, and trust over vanity metrics. Looking Ahead The episode closes with forward-thinking plans: Inventory management systemsA future online plant storeStronger accountability across operationsA renewed commitment to community, honesty, and collaborationWillie and Eddie wrap up with gratitude, humility, and a reminder that challenges are often the Support the show