Page 50 - Free State Winter 2021

FERENC KISS CAVANO’S PERENNIALS

“I had some insecurities at the begin-
ning of my trip, I can see some of that in
some of the young people here,” he says. Ferenc’s nurturing management
“I didn’t have someone I could talk to or style spills over into production
ask questions of, so I tell the young people with top-notch plant quality.
here they have me for that. I had to learn
to trust in my capabilities and I try to pass
along that lesson.”
Ferenc says the experiences he gained
from his journey made it clear that helping
others when he is able is the most impor-
tant thing he can do.
“Sometimes, you have to go to the past
to find inspiration for the future,” he says.
In 1995, he immigrated to the United
States and left everything behind in Swit-
zerland, much like his father did when he
left Hungary for Switzerland.
Ferenc jokes that he chose to im-
migrate to the U.S. because he watched
too much American television. In all
seriousness, he found a love of perennial
production in North America after his
Bluemount internship.
He joined Cavano’s Perennials in 1998
and developed a deep appreciation for the
work that founders George and Marlene
Cavano started, as well as the work their
son Tom had preserved when he took over
the business. Ferenc and business partner
Taylor purchased the business in 2015.
“My mission in business is to continue
growing Cavano’s and its people. I want
to make the previous owners, George and
Marlene Cavano, and Thomas and Nancy
Hensler, proud. They trusted me and teach them,” he explains. “After a while create an environment of trust for our follow and contribute to the process,” he you make a change and it is a failure, keep son or business partnership,” Taylor says.
Taylor to continue the legacy of Cavano’s you can see the development of the indi- employees. I always like the quote, ‘Our says. pushing harder. Over time, your people There are no foes in Ferenc’s world.
Perennials.” vidual and see them blossom. It takes time people succeed because we allow them to He also recommends staying positive will embrace changes because it becomes Steve Castorani, owner of North Creek
and it is worth every minute. I received fail.’ After a failure, comes change. Change and focused. a part of who they are. They will see and Nurseries, says Ferenc has a way of
Leadership wisdom the guidance and patience from my men- is good. Think about the failure and how “You must always try to be positive and believe in the benefits to them and the bridging all gaps and bringing everyone
Ferenc can’t pinpoint a specific instance tors, and now I can give back.” to improve on it. Think about the process motivate your team. Through positivity company.” together.
that makes him the proudest of his team Taylor has noticed that Ferenc does and how you can make it more efficient. and focus, the team can overcome difficult Ferenc also find inspiration from his “A few years ago at MANTS, Ferenc,
because he says they do so every day. more listening with the Cavano’s team You must build a dedicated team, then en- situations and reach their goals that were business partner. The pair worked side Taylor and Tom invited all of their cus-
“Without the team, Cavano’s is noth- than he does giving instructions. That, courage and inspire them. Your managers set by you,” he says. by side for seven years and became good tomers and suppliers to an old-school jazz
ing. I am extremely proud of employees coupled with teaching them how to learn are a vital part in team building,” Ferenc And all of these approaches are im- friends before they became co-owners of concert where the trio played for everyone.
who started their careers at Cavano’s. We from mistakes, gives them a real sense of says. portant when dealing with change, which the nursery. I walk into the room a little late and sit up
have several employees who’ve been here responsibility, Taylor adds. He also acknowledges adaptability and doesn’t have to throw your plan or your “Taylor has experience in the corporate at the front. When I looked around the
their entire career,” he says. “He has really good instincts for people confidence as vital principles. team for a loop. world. Our varied backgrounds comple- room, I could see a lot of my customers,
The Cavano’s team is not afraid to and for business,” Taylor says. “Once you understand that set sched- “Change should be embraced — it is ment each other very well,” he says. his customers, my competitors and their
make mistakes because Ferenc understands Building a solid and successful team ules and goals with your team can change a challenge. Change occurs all the time. Taylor is equally inspired by Ferenc. competitors. To pull together that event
that is part of the learning process. means giving credit every time it is due. at any time, you must be confident and Nothing is constant,” he says. “Human “What’s great about working with him where we’re all breaking bread together
“I tell people, ‘You’re going to make “Whenever Cavano’s is successful, the adaptable to make the necessary changes. nature is to not like change, and some- is we don’t always agree, but the level of and sharing a night out was so cool. It
mistakes and you will kill some plants in team gets the credit. When we fail, I take Show your team that you are confident times to even to fear it. Once you make a trust and familiarity we share is something shows that the pie is big enough for every-
the process.’ But I am there to guide and the blame. I, along with my team, try to and can adapt quickly, and the team will change and it is a success, keep pushing. If I don’t think I could find in another per- body,” Steve says. 

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