Inspiring Conversations with Shawn Wilk of Shawns Pumpkin Patch and Christmas Trees

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shawn Wilk.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I have been in the Christmas tree industry since 1979 and have operated a pumpkin patch since 1986. What started as a very small pumpkin patch—just 25 feet by 75 feet—has grown over the years into one of the largest family-owned pumpkin patches in the area, now operating on approximately four to five acres.

For the past 20 years, I have proudly served the Culver City and West Los Angeles communities. Over the decades, our family-owned business has become a seasonal tradition for many local families, providing quality Christmas trees, pumpkins, and a festive experience for the community.

With nearly 50 years of experience in the Christmas tree industry and 40 years in the pumpkin business, I have built a long-standing reputation for operating successful, family-friendly seasonal locations throughout the West Los Angeles area.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
One of the biggest struggles I have with this business is finding a location every year. Unlike a traditional business, I don’t have a permanent location. Each year, I may be looking at a closed shopping center, an empty property that is scheduled for apartment construction, or a shopping center that is about to be remodeled. I have to negotiate with the property owners and convince them to rent the space to me for four months.

Once I secure a location, the work really begins. I have to get everything ready—Google, advertising, Constant Contact, social media, permits, utilities, and all the other preparations necessary to open the business.

There have been times when I need to open on October 1st, but I don’t even secure the location until September 1st. That gives me only one month to get the site ready, build everything, market the location, and make sure the customers know we’re open. It can be a tremendous amount of pressure, especially because every year the process starts all over again.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Shawns Pumpkin Patch and Christmas Trees?
My Christmas tree business has been a part of my life since 1979. We’ve been selling Christmas trees in West Los Angeles for more than 45 years, and we’re proud to be one of the oldest independently owned Christmas tree lots in the area. Quality is a big driver of my success and has always been very important to me. I personally go to Oregon to select the trees we bring back, and over the years we’ve built a very loyal customer base over the years, with many people coming back to us every Christmas, and now with children and grandchildren. That loyalty means a lot to me and is something I’m very proud of.

I’ve also built a business that is really community-friendly and family-oriented. Our pumpkin patch has grown into much more than just a place to buy pumpkins—it’s almost like a small amusement park. We have a petting zoo, pony rides, bounce houses, slides, face painting, party rooms, a food court, and many other activities for families to enjoy together. We’ve worked hard to create a place where families can come, have fun, make memories, and come back year after year. I think that family-focused approach is a big part of why the business has grown so much.

What does success mean to you?
Success, to me, is being happy and content with life. It’s about feeling secure and having good relationships with your family and friends. It’s about having the freedom to do the things you enjoy and that make life fun.

Making money also helps and can make life a little easier and better. But, ultimately, true success comes from being happy on the inside. Money doesn’t always make you happy, but it can certainly help.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.shawnspumpkinpatch.com or www.shawnschristmastrees.com
• Instagram: @shawnspumpkinpatch or @shawnschristmastrees