Growing with Grace: How Karen Walker Turned $20 Into a Thriving Nursery

Some people stumble upon their passion. Others, like Karen Walker of Walker’s Garden Nursery, bloom right where they’re planted. For Karen, what began as a simple love for nurturing plants became a lifeline, for her family, her son, and her future.

From $20 and Seedlings to a Full Nursery

In 2019, Karen registered her business with nothing more than $20, a few vegetable seedlings, and a dream. At the time, she was looking for a way to support her autistic son while still earning an income from home. Driving him back and forth for therapy was a challenge, and she needed something flexible yet sustainable.

What started as a small garden corner has since expanded into a full nursery, offering everything from ground covers, flowering plants, and hibiscus to golden palms, feather grass, pittosporum, and even soil.

Family and Growth Hand in Hand

Karen’s nursery isn’t just about plants, it’s about people. Her son plays an active role, helping with weeding and clean-ups after school. Over time, he has grown to love the work as much as she does, and the nursery has become both a business and a space for therapy, growth, and connection.

Thriving Against the Odds

Like many entrepreneurs, Karen faced her share of struggles. Some days the sales come easily, other days not at all. But she remains motivated because she’s doing what she loves—propagating, nurturing, and watching her plants flourish.

And it’s paying off. By tapping into Facebook Marketplace, social media channels, and WhatsApp’s catalog feature, Karen has found creative, low-cost ways to promote her plants and connect with customers across Barbados.

Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Karen is quick to share advice with those who want to follow a similar path:

• Start small – You don’t need much to begin.
• Reinvest and multiply – Put your earnings back into the business.
• Keep learning – She leaned on YouTube tutorials and advice from others.
• Push through the hard days – Success is built on persistence.

Planting Seeds of Inspiration

Walker’s Garden Nursery isn’t just a story about plants, it’s about resilience, family, and finding purpose in passion. Karen shows us that even with limited resources, you can create something beautiful, sustainable, and impactful.

Your dreams may start small, but with the right care and determination, they too can grow into something extraordinary.

👉 Want to support Karen’s journey? Visit Walker’s Garden Nursery on Facebook or Instagram to explore her wide variety of plants.