Sydney & Jake Murphy

Sydney: Marketing & Member Services Manager, Rowan Chamber of Commerce
Jake: Co-Owner / Business Manager, Trees & Plants Nursery and Garden Center
Native of Rowan County

Industry: Non-Profit / Business Advocacy & Landscaping, Irrigation, & Nursery Services

Sydney and Jake Murphy are Rowan County natives who left home for college, spent a few years in Charlotte, and ultimately found themselves drawn right back to Salisbury — not just for convenience, but for connection.

Sydney grew up in the eastern part of Rowan County and graduated from East Rowan before heading to UNC Chapel Hill. Jake, a Salisbury High School graduate, attended the University of South Carolina in Columbia. After college, the couple lived in Charlotte for a little over two years, but as their lives began to shift toward marriage and future family plans, the pull of home became impossible to ignore. After getting married in 2024, they knew they wanted to buy a home, plant roots, and start their next chapter somewhere that felt meaningful — and Salisbury checked every box.

For Sydney, returning home also meant stepping into a role that lets her champion the community she’s always loved. As Marketing & Member Services Manager at the Rowan Chamber of Commerce, she enjoys meeting new people, advocating for local businesses, and learning even more about her hometown along the way.

Jake’s path brought him back home in a different way: through entrepreneurship. He’s now a Co-Owner and Business Manager at Trees & Plants Nursery and Garden Center, where he values working alongside friends and partners, the hands-on nature of the work, and the impact the business makes for customers throughout the community.

The move back to Rowan County was also driven by Jake’s decision to go into business with a friend to grow Trees & Plants — a venture that has since expanded to include two additional Salisbury natives as owners and a growing team of 10 employees.

Outside of work, Sydney and Jake love supporting Rowan County in the ways that matter most: showing up. From attending community events and supporting nonprofit fundraisers to trying local restaurants and spending time outdoors, they enjoy building a life that’s fully connected to the place they call home. Jake is especially proud of how giving back can show up in everyday moments — whether it’s helping customers create outdoor spaces, supporting local projects, or even lending a hand during snowstorms.

You’ll often find them grabbing dinner at Ivan’s or Salty Caper, enjoying the Salisbury Greenway or High Rock Lake, or taking in the community atmosphere at spots like New Sarum Brewery. Jake’s favorite outdoor spaces include local golf courses and, fittingly, the Trees & Plants Garden Center itself.

Their favorite events include the Dragon Boat Festival and the ‘Tis the Season Spectacular Parade—two traditions that capture the energy and togetherness they love about Rowan County.

For Jake, Rowan County is defined by its people and its potential. He sees it as a place full of opportunity — especially for small business owners — and a community that truly supports growth. “Being able to grow a small business in Salisbury has really shown me how much potential and growth there is here,” he says.

Sydney agrees — and says Rowan County’s location is part of what makes it special: close enough to the beach and mountains for quick getaways, but grounded in the relationships that make it feel like home. She loves the sense of history here, especially knowing her family has been in the area for generations, and she often finds herself encouraging friends from Chapel Hill and Charlotte to consider building a life in Salisbury, too.

To Sydney, the meaning of Be an Original™ is clear: it’s the balance of honoring where you come from while building something new. She says Rowan County is a community that values tradition and togetherness, while also making space for innovation — a place where small businesses can truly thrive and the support from the community is unmatched.

And if there’s one thing Sydney wants people to know about Rowan County, it’s this: it’s welcoming, full of opportunity, and ready for what’s next. “It’s a wonderful place to plant your roots and grow,” she says — and she loves showing off downtown to visiting friends through local restaurants, shops, and community events.