Know your Driftless Neighbor: Ainsley Gesing

By Samantha Ludeking, Driftless Journal Production Manager

Tuesday, January 24, 2023 4:40 pm

Just like neighbors, entrepreneurs come in all sizes. Meet Ainsley Gesing, 9, of Spillville, a small Iowa town towards the western edge of the Driftless area. 

From your next-door neighbor to that one down on Main Street, a face you see around town or a name you hear over and over, these are your Driftless Neighbors.

Just like neighbors, entrepreneurs come in all sizes. Meet Ainsley Gesing, 9, of Spillville, a small Iowa town towards the western edge of the Driftless area. Ainsley co-created Spillville Roots, a small business offering live plant arrangements, with her mother Gena. 
“We had too many plants, so we started selling them!” Ainsley explains as the simple origin of the business. 
I met Ainsley and her mom at their booth at a vendor show in Decorah. Always a sucker for new plants, I was drawn to their booth where Ainsley cheerfully helped me choose the perfect funky container to put my new stems into. Ainsley says Spillville Roots is most known for their succulents, and I think the eclectic selection of containers might be a close second. The String-of-Pearls, a hanging succulent, is the little plant lady’s favorite plant and helping folks plant their own at shows is her favorite part of the business. 
When she isn’t getting her hands dirty in the plant business, the busy South Winn fourth grader enjoys swimming with CAST (Calmar Area Swim Team) and cheerleading, taking private lessons at Upper Iowa University. Ainsley’s little corner of the Driftless neighborhood also includes her mom and dad, Gena and Adam, older sister Aubree, dogs Annie, Lou and Tank and a variety of tropical fish.

Briefly….

Best part about living in the Driftless: There aren’t too many people, and there are nice places to hike.
Favorite Driftless spot: Echo Valley State Park
Favorite Book: Mystery in Rocky Mountain National Park by Aaron Johnson.
Favorite Movie: Encanto
Favorite Human: Myself
What do you want to be when you grow up? Owner of a cheer gym.