Leena Pettigrew, an IT specialist from Houston, Texas, has achieved what many people aspire to by transforming her love for indoor plants into a lucrative plant business. Through live-stream auctions, Leena’s passion for plants has grown into a successful side gig. She started selling indoor plants, and in only a single year, her firm has grown to make almost Rs 1.25 crore, or $148,600. An harmless attempt to add some greenery to her home marked the beginning of Leena’s journey, but her tale now acts as motivation for those who wish to launch their own side business.
When She was given a golden pothos plant as a gift in 2017, her narrative began. This ignited a fascination that would take another five years to fully develop, even though she first found it difficult to maintain. She started indoor gardening again in 2022 with a few succulents she bought from a nearby store.
This straightforward choice quickly developed into a passionate pastime, and she soon had leafy green Monsteras, ferns, and other houseplants all around her house. Leena soon found herself surrounded by brilliant greenery as her growing interest in indoor plants offered a fresh vibe to her home.
A Creative Solution: Selling Surplus Plants on Palmstreet
She sensed a chance when the available space ran out. She decided to sell some of her extra greenery on Palmstreet, an online plant marketplace, in June 2023. In an attempt to reach plant enthusiasts across the country, she started holding live-streamed plant auctions on the platform. She had no idea that this modest endeavor would lead to a successful company.
In order to accommodate and care for up to 1,000 plants at once, Leena and her husband, Marquise, transformed their garage into a makeshift greenhouse. From this humble beginning, the pair managed to integrate their passion for plants with a lucrative side business that quickly had a big financial impact.
From Hobby to Thriving Business: Earning Rs 1.25 Crore in a Year
Leena and Marquise’s side business grew off in a matter of months, and by July 2024, they were making an average of $12,380 each month. Running their plant business out of their garage, they were able to grow their clientele and sales volume while managing hundreds of plants at once. Leena’s plant company allowed her to reduce financial stress by supplementing her family’s income, even though she worked full-time in IT.
Marquise, who had previously co-owned an auto repair shop, reduced his hours of work as Leena’s plant business grew. The success of their unusual enterprise allowed the pair to spend more time together by concentrating on their newfound passion.
Building a Brand Through Live-Stream Auctions
During a live-stream auction early in their journey, Leena’s firm experienced one of its turning points. Despite her initial anxiety, Marquise’s on-camera presence, which added lighthearted humor to their streams, gave her comfort. His lighthearted banter and amusing exchanges made the auction a captivating occasion that the audience found compelling.
Their relationship with the audience and chemistry soon became a key component of their company. 53 plants were sold during the couple’s first four-hour live-stream auction, boosting their faith in the viability of their side business selling plants. They improved their strategy, changed prices, and promoted their plants more successfully over time.
These days, Leena’s live-stream auctions sell over 100 plants per stream and include a variety of indoor plants, from rare Monsteras to succulents. As they grow, the business becomes more successful because some of these larger plants may fetch prices as high as ₹9,500 ($115).
Support and Team Expansion: Turning a Side Hustle into a Small Business
She started working with five part-time contractors to help manage operations as her firm grew. The efforts of her team enable her to continue working in IT, where she makes about $90,000 a year, while concentrating on business strategy. This small but effective workforce is essential to the expanding company, enabling Leena and Marquise to put balance first.
Leena is a paid consultant for Palmstreet and also conducts live auctions. She provides guidance to other aspiring plant vendors on how to launch and expand their internet plant companies in this capacity. Her visibility within the plant entrepreneur community is strengthened by the insights she gains from her combined roles as a consultant and business owner.
The Financial and Personal Benefits of Side Hustles
The plant company has changed Leena and Marquise’s lifestyle and financial situation. In order to concentrate on the customers he enjoys dealing with, Marquise has shifted his vehicle repair shop to accepting appointments upon request. The strain of juggling several sources of money has been lessened by this flexibility, which has made their family life more laid-back and manageable.
The Pettigrew family has discovered new ways to enjoy life as a result of their commercial success. “With the extra money, we even go on quick weekend trips throughout Texas,” Leena explains. These brief pauses give the pair a much-needed breather from their hectic schedules and enable them to reconnect and rejuvenate.
Balancing Work and Family Life: Lessons from Leena’s Journey
Effective time management is essential when operating a side business in addition to a full-time job, and the Pettigrews have mastered this skill. Marquise’s auto shop, Leena’s IT career, her plant company, and his side hustle as a virtual technician make for a hectic schedule. They manage it without being overburdened, though, by assigning duties and splitting up the labor.
Dreams for the Future: Expanding the Business
In the future, Leena hopes to grow her plant business even more. With her plant revenue, she expects to someday surpass her IT wage and be able to devote even more time to her passion. The couple plans to move to Florida and construct a larger greenhouse with enough room for a wider variety of plants if her plant business succeeds in reaching this goal.
Their ultimate goal is to hire a crew to run daily operations so they can concentrate on other hobbies, like helping in the community. The pair is currently appreciative of the beneficial adjustments their side business has brought about in their life.
Inspiring Others: How Leena’s Success is Paving the Way for New Entrepreneurs
As Leena’s tale illustrates, a small hobby may become a lucrative side business with a little imagination, persistence, and risk-taking. Her experience shows that a personal interest may certainly turn into a successful source of income, and it acts as a beacon for people wishing to launch their own business.
If you enjoy a hobby and are motivated by Leena’s achievement, think about starting. Opportunities exist whether you’re interested in crafts, plants, or consultancy. Leena’s story demonstrates that you, too, can transform your passion into a fulfilling and successful business with the correct strategy and an openness to trying new things.
Conclusion :-
Leena Pettigrew’s story demonstrates how a business may grow from a passion. She developed a lucrative business that provides her family with financial assistance and personal independence by leveraging her passion for plants as a side gig. Anyone wishing to transform a hobby into something more might find inspiration in her narrative, which demonstrates that even a modest idea can become a huge success with enough effort.
