Today we’d like to introduce you to Viridiana Robles.
Viridiana, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Embarking on my journey as a small business owner has been, at times, a vulnerable experience, but my passion for what I do has enabled the continued perseverance necessary to develop my business. While studying biochemistry, pharmacology, and healthcare administration at Texas Tech, I gained experience working in the pharmaceutical field and intended to settle into a career as a pharmacist. However, as fulfilled as I felt working as a healthcare provider, my increasing fascination with the amazing world of plants, which really began in late 2020 with my first venture into plant collecting, both lit and fueled the fire needed to draw me away from my pharmaceutical career. Along the way, I established my own Facebook group – plants by viridiana – which, to my surprise, rapidly grew into a community of plant-loving people in the DFW area who, to me, feel like family. Sharing and receiving knowledge, insights, and wisdom with members of the community surrounding the fascinating green world we’re all collectively captivated by has been an exciting, rewarding, and humbling experience over these past few years. Not only has the group provided me with a wonderful community that I am immensely proud to be a part of, as well as invaluable friendships with wonderful and interesting people, but also the opportunity to sell plants and accessories to local plant parents in the DFW area. Since June 2023, I have been hosting monthly events for the community, which provide members of the community the opportunity to congregate together and, in the process, meet new, like-minded plant lovers, swap and trade plants, and help support local businesses in the process. These events hold special importance to me and other plant sellers in the community and have even given me a newfound love and appreciation for planning and organizing events. It should go without saying that none of my success to this point would have been possible without the invaluable support of the DFW plant community, my friends, and most importantly, my family.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has been anything but smooth, but in many ways, I am grateful for that. The general challenges that come with running your own business, such as keeping track of your finances, managing inventory, and handling marketing, have strengthened my sense of independence and self-reliance. The help and support I have received from my family, friends, and the plant community at large have served as constant reminders that I am not alone on this journey. Lastly, operating as one of the heads of a quickly growing community brings a sense of responsibility and accountability, not only for the quality and consistency of my own services but also pertaining to my role in ensuring that the community remains a safe space. The greatest challenge of all, however, was making the initial decision to leave the security and comfort afforded by a well-paid occupation, and one that I had worked so hard to arrive at, solely in the name of pursuing my growing passion for plants. There is no reward without risk, and I am both grateful and fortunate that, in my case, the risk turned out to be more than worthy of the reward of being a part of the plant community. Even had I failed on this venture, the failure would have been entirely worth the exposure I have received to this world that I love and the beautiful people who inhabit it – I cannot imagine my life without them. Ultimately, however, I remind myself that my challenges as a small business owner pale in comparison to those faced by my parents, whose ability to endure many hardships and financial struggles – as Mexican immigrants arriving in the United States – in order to provide a safe and nurturing environment for my brothers and I to grow and to flourish in, and enable us to pursue educations, careers, opportunities of our own, has long provided me with endless inspiration, motivation, and the courage necessary to continue on my own path, come whatever may.
We’ve been impressed with Plants by Viridiana, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Plants by Viridiana is a Latina-owned, small business operating out of the Dallas area, which specializes in cultivating rare tropical houseplant genera such as philodendron, hoya, and monstera. Plants are our passion, our identity; the community we have managed to generate speaks for itself, their love and support for what we do is what defines us as a business. The running of our Facebook group – which provides the community with a central hub from which to communicate daily, sharing plant pictures, stories, and anecdotes from our individual plant journeys, as well as tips, tricks, and other insights aimed at aiding and supporting one another on our paths – is only made possible by my incredible modmin team. The group is also home to my weekly plant sales, whereby customers have the option of collecting orders at my place of residence or paying $10 for shipping. Additionally, I frequently use my Facebook group to announce the sales of plants – specifically hoya – via other national Facebook groups. Customers are not only welcome but encouraged to join the group, as it is the best way to access my newest inventory. All interested can find my houseplant services and monthly website restocks on my website: www.plantsbyviridiana.com. I offer convenient online booking for plant-sitting services and plant pest consultations.
What are your plans for the future?
In the future as well as the present, the community always comes first. One major goal of mine going forward is the monthly hosting of workshops, which might, for example, include lectures on various plant pests and how to deal with them or tutorials and advice on the building of terrariums in a practical, hands-on class setting. Anything that might provide me with the opportunity to enrich the knowledge and build the confidence of the passionate, ever-curious members of the DFW plant community. Expansion across multiple social media platforms will also be in the works, with the hopes of reaching as many fellow plant lovers as possible and bringing them into our wonderful world.
Pricing:
- Philodendron: $0-$150
- Hoya: $0-$50
- Monstera: $0-$200
- Houseplant Pest Consultation: $8
- Houseplant Sitting: $60+
Contact Info:
- Website: https://plantsbyviridiana.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1957305544609086
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plantsbyviridiana
Image Credits
Jay’s Jungle
