Meet Tina Duffey | Retired elementary teacher

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tina Duffey and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tina, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I had this pasture just getting cut back each week and it just looked empty, except for the group of 5-6 deer that would lay out in the back field. I saw a picture in a magazine of the field full of purple blooms and dreamed how beautiful it would look in my field. So to honor my grandmother whose birthday was in February and always wore purple I started my plan to grow lavender. I did my research and contacted UGA and my extension office, but they told me lavender had never been grown at a large scale in Georgia due to our clay soil and our environment. So I didn’t give up. I researched the lavenders needs and went about amending my soil and planted out my first 500 plants that grew to now 4,000 lavender plants.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Red Oak Lavender Farm started 15 years ago to fill our 5 acres with the purple blooms of lavender. We grow, harvest, dry and distill our lavenders to create a wealth of lavender products made here at the farm, and teach classes using lavender, as well as open the fields to our visitors for you-pick lavender and flowers.

It’s a seven days a week business all year, so it’s not easy. I believe I work harder now as an owner of a lavender farmer than teaching fourth grade. It’s hard on the muscles and you need to be creative, and have a good sense in business. I’ve always had my own business whether it was making crafts and selling them at festivals or my own shop or making dog show dog beds. I guess I’ve always had that entrepreneurial.

I’ve learned that an anything you have a passion to do to not give up. Research, ask questions, don’t be afraid to ask for help, keep moving forward.

I want the world to know that lavender is one amazing herb with so many benefits and that we want to share it with others to enjoy its benefits, from our field to your home, we never gave up to create high quality lavender products.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Dahlonega, my home town, was the place of the first gold rush in America, so I would have them visit the two gold mines in Dahlonega being a perfect place to cool off on hot summer days and learn about our gold history. Then visit the historic square for shopping and dining. Your see buildings that are 200 years old and each shop is unique.

The next day there are amazing wineries around our area. Lavender and grapevines are famous together, as in France. There are so many wineries to choose from, each one unique and make a great experience.

I always enjoyed the many hiking trails here in Dahlonega, from hiking around the reservoir to hiking up to Preachers Rock for a breathtaking view.

And lastly enjoy the cool dip down the Chestatee River. Perfect for relaxing and taking it easy away from technology!

There is always something to do in Dahlonega for the family, couples, or adventurers.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My shout out goes to my husband, David Duffey, that supported me in my dream and love of lavender and helped to create out Agritourism lavender farm.

Website: https://www.redoaklavender.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redoaklavender/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redoaklavender

Image Credits
David Duffey and Tina Duffey