Business Daily Business Daily meets: Balsam Hill's Mac Harman
Dec 19, 2025
Mac Harman, Founder and CEO of Balsam Hill, shares his inspiring journey from a young entrepreneur in Ohio to leading a top brand in premium artificial Christmas trees. He discusses innovative designs influenced by environmental studies and the sustainable choices he's making. Harman also addresses the challenges of tariffs impacting supply chains and pricing, recounting efforts to navigate these hurdles. With exciting growth plans on the horizon, he remains optimistic about the future of festive decor and international expansion.
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Hobby Side Project Became Main Business
- Mac Harman started Balsam Hill in 2006 as a side business to fund another venture.
- The seasonal hobby grew into his main company over years of steady growth.
Personal Frustration Sparked Product Design
- Mac was motivated by a poor 1970s artificial tree his brother-in-law used because of allergies.
- He used childhood experience in woods and environmental studies to design realistic faux trees.
Design From Direct Observation
- Mac combined field observation and design to mimic real tree structure and foliage.
- That holistic design approach created a premium, realistic faux-tree market niche.