Cara Goch Widder

Proven Winners

Digital marketing specialist

What 3-4 professional and/or personal accomplishments are you most proud of?

• Utilized data to drive marketing decisions in a role that hadn’t focused on it in the past. This involved seeking out and learning existing reporting systems, creating surveys, developing email campaigns and more.
• Self-taught a new marketing automation platform in order to segment SMS subscribers to create and launch targeted product messages for improved ROI and click rates.
• Came to the industry with minimal horticulture experience and grew my plant knowledge and marketing skills through multiple internships and roles. As a bonus, I also gained several mentors and lifelong friends that have become a part of my inner circle.

What led you to work in the horticulture industry?

• It’s a bit of a long story, but I’ll try to keep it concise. While I was in college, I worked a seasonal job at a local apple orchard. I was studying business management at the time and got into a conversation with my manager where I shared concerns about what I would do after graduation, as most of my prospects involved working for a car company. She knew I loved anything agriculture-related and suggested I take a look at the agriculture degrees at Michigan State University.
• A few months later, I transferred and became a Spartan! Soon, I landed a job working in the blueberry research labs and greenhouses. This stint into the world of research and plant breeding opened my eyes beyond just corn and soybean sales, and I dove into the horticulture industry.
• Through professors and classes, I was introduced to the world of floriculture and knew I had finally found my passion. I fell in love with the beauty and the variety of products and the fast-paced environment — both of which are enough to keep me creatively busy.

What’s the best thing about your job?

• I get to do what I love, every day.

Describe to a 6-year-old what you do in life?

• I tell people what flowers they should buy!

What are your favorite hobbies?

• Cycling
• DIY house projects
• Camping

When you’re not working, what are two to three things we could find you doing?

• DIYing a project at the house
• Enjoying a cup of locally-roasted coffee
• Exploring nature with my toddler

Do you have any unusual talents, or can you tell us something interesting about yourself that other people may be surprised to find out?

• I’ve owned Border collies since I was 13 years old and have competed with all four in AKC breed shows to earn their championship titles.
• We’ve competed in several states and I even bred a few litters whose offspring went on to become agility and obedience champions.

What are you (un)secretly good at?

• Finding the best coffee shops

What are your top three bucket list items?

• I’d love to go to base camp at Mt. Everest.
• Visit all 50 states
• Show one of my dogs at Westminster

What’s your favorite plant variety and why?

• Lately, I’ve really been loving the Mangave ‘Art & Sol Lavender Lady.’
• Aside from the purple undertones of the foliage, I love that it’s drought tolerant and brings a unique texture to containers.

You’re buying a vacation package to anywhere in the world without a budget, where are you going?

The Maldives

One thing you can’t live without?

• My family! Technically, they’re more than one thing — I can’t imagine life without them.