The Original Gardener
Diane Evon grew up on a hobby farm in Michigan, where she developed a profound connection with nature and agriculture from an early age. Her professional journey took her far from the pastoral landscapes of her youth, leading to a highly successful career in business. Diane demonstrated exceptional versatility and expertise, working with international Fortune 500 companies as well as start-up technology firms. Her roles spanned various domains, including sales, marketing, and operations.
In 2018, after years of city life and extensive travel for her corporate responsibilities, Diane made a significant decision to return to her roots. She purchased a farm, rekindling her passion for the serene and productive life she knew in her childhood. Diane’s final corporate role was as the Executive Director of Operations for an international medical device company, a position she held until 2023. Seeking the greener pastures of her early years, she decided to leave the corporate world and focus on her farm full-time.
Waterstone farm is blossoming under the care of Diane and her daughter, McKenzie. Together they specialize in nursery products with a keen focus on her favorites—perennials and pumpkins. In May 2024, she opened her farm to the public, offering a variety of seasonal farm and garden plants. Her venture became a source of joy and fulfillment, allowing her to share the beauty and bounty of her farm with the community.
While Diane’s heart was firmly planted in her farm, her entrepreneurial spirit remained vibrant. She had always admired the exquisite pottery crafted by Colombian artisans. After a trip to Colombia in the fall of 2023, Diane faced the challenge of importing these beautiful pieces to the United States. Undeterred, she took matters into her own hands, filling a shipping container with hand-made, artisan-quality Colombian pottery. This initiative led to the founding of Evonn International in January 2024, a wholesale business dedicated to importing and distributing these unique items.
Diane’s new venture quickly gained momentum, with the first wholesale customers of Colombian pottery taking delivery in the spring of 2025. In addition to wholesale distribution, Diane’s farm showcases a selection of this pottery at Waterstone, complementing the plants and flowers she cultivated. She also plans to launch an online store, making these beautiful pieces accessible to a broader audience.
Diane Evon’s journey is a testament to her resilience, adaptability, and passion. From a Michigan farm to the heights of corporate success and back to her agricultural roots, she has continually embraced new challenges and opportunities. Her dedication to both her farm and her entrepreneurial ventures reflects a deep-seated love for nature, craftsmanship, and community.
The Bloom That Followed
Throughout this journey, McKenzie has been by her mother’s side, learning business, customer service, property maintenance, landscaping, and animal care. Together, they have managed several investment properties, gaining essential skills for running the farm and caring for their adopted animals. Her mother jokes that rescuing animals has been in Kenzies’ blood ever since they took her hamster to the emergency vet at 5 years old, teaching her the value of all animal lives. Each and every one of the farm’s animals dearly love her. Often talking to her with a winnie or a moo from a back field is not uncommon when Kenz is spotted on property.
Now an adult, Diane relies on Kenzie’s skills with farm equipment, project management, and customer service. The day to day operations are Kenzie’s responsibility. If it weren’t for Kenzie, we would definitely be in a pickle when it comes to the farm equipment. She has an Engineer’s talent for taking care of our mechanical equipment and what she doesn’t know……she’ll find out. She’s always in pursuit of more knowledge.
