Strategic Research & Sales Intern

About Valar:

Valar is a growing home gardening brand dedicated to empowering individuals to cultivate their own green spaces. We offer a range of high-quality gardening products and resources to make gardening accessible and enjoyable for everyone. We are passionate about sustainability and fostering a love for nature within homes.

Role Overview:

Valar is seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Research & Development Intern to focus on building our presence and product offerings within the ornamental gardening segment. This internship will involve in-depth research, market analysis, and the development of strategic recommendations to expand Valar's reach in the decorative and aesthetic aspects of home gardening. The intern will work closely with the founders and gain valuable insights into the home gardening market and new product development.

Responsibilities:

• Market Research: Conduct thorough research on the ornamental gardening segment, including:
• Identifying key trends in ornamental plants, decorative gardening accessories, and related products.
• Analyzing competitor offerings, pricing strategies, and marketing approaches within the ornamental space.
• Understanding consumer preferences, needs, and emerging demands in ornamental gardening.
• Exploring potential partnerships and collaborations within the ornamental plant and accessory industry.
• Product Ideation & Development Support:Assist in brainstorming and developing new product ideas and concepts relevant to the ornamental gardening segment.
• Research potential suppliers and sourcing options for ornamental plants, seeds, bulbs, and decorative items.
• Gather information on plant care requirements, aesthetics, and suitability for home environments.
• Support the initial stages of product feasibility analysis and potential costing.
• Content & Resource Development:Research and gather information for potential content related to ornamental gardening, such as plant profiles, design tips, and care guides for Valar's online platforms.
• Assist in identifying relevant influencers and communities within the ornamental gardening space.
• Competitive Analysis: Regularly monitor and analyze competitor activities in the ornamental gardening market, providing insights on their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
• Reporting & Presentation: Prepare clear and concise reports summarizing research findings, market insights, and recommendations. Present findings to the relevant team.
• General Support: Provide general support to the [Relevant Team/Manager] as needed on projects related to the ornamental gardening segment.

Learning Outcomes:

• Gain a comprehensive understanding of the ornamental gardening market and its dynamics.
• Develop strong research and analytical skills.
• Learn about product development processes within the home gardening industry.
• Gain experience in market analysis, competitive intelligence, and trend identification.
• Enhance communication, presentation, and teamwork skills.
• Contribute meaningfully to the growth strategy of a home gardening brand.

Qualifications:

• Currently pursuing or recently completed a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Horticulture, Botany, Marketing, Business Administration, Environmental Science, Landscape Design, or a related field.
• Strong interest in gardening, particularly ornamental plants and design.
• Excellent research and analytical skills with the ability to gather and synthesize information from various sources.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Proactive, self-motivated, and detail-oriented.

Bonus Points:

• Prior experience in gardening or familiarity with ornamental plants.
• Familiarity with online research tools and databases.
• Basic understanding of marketing principles.