Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Fulmines.
Hi Heather , we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I always loved plants and would have a few scattered around my home. When Covid hit and I was sent home from work, I found myself craving a way to make my home feel more comfortable and safer to be in. I started buying a plant or two and then the next month I would find myself buying another plant or two. I felt a real calmness taking care of them and being surrounded by them.
I went through a terrible divorce during this time period. My funds were depleted, and although I had many wonderful and joyful things in my life, plants gave me a certain serenity that I cannot describe. I began thinking about ways to bring in a little more money. My daughter was 15 at the time and I wanted to be able to provide a little more for her. I was already working full-time and considering a second job. I thought about second jobs and realized that would take away too much time from our lives because I would likely be gone from home.
One day I woke up and said I think I want to start my own business and I’m going to sell plants. I dug in (no pun intended) and got to work. I had about 30 days until my first farmers market. I’d never done anything like this before. I never even took a business class in college, but with the help of my daughter and my boyfriend I was able to build a business and begin selling within 30 days of that morning.
I’ve spent almost 3 years doing farmers markets, and other plants services, and I cannot express enough about the wonderful community I have found. The vendors, the customers, the Market managers— they are all just the best and most supportive group of people that you’ll ever meet. My business has expanded in ways I never imagined! I now have a spot at Vintage 29 in Warrenton, and let me tell you, it’s just the best experience and group of people to work with! The friends I’ve made along this journey is what I’ve gained the most from. I am so grateful to everyone who has been a part of this with me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
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?
Definitely not a smooth road. Owning a small business is not for the feint of heart. Trying to build something from the ground up while also working full-time is not for the weak. Luckily, the support of my family and friends has made so much of this possible. The biggest struggle for me was time and initial capital. In order to get that first chunk of cash, I sold my clothes on Poshmark. I’ll never forget when my friend Amber sent me $100 when I told her what I was doing. She said she was proud of me and wanted to support me and I’m pretty sure I cried like a baby for her love and generosity and belief in me!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
While I sell houseplants and can school you on types and care all day long- what I think I love the most is when I create something like a terrarium or a succulent bowl or a dish garden. I had always been a crafty kid, but and a child and a job and adulting in general, all of that creativeness got lost along the way. Plants, of all things, allowed me to find that creativeness again. Someone asked me if I would make a terrarium for them the first year. I thought to myself- I have no idea how to do this at all! But I went to work researching and started putting a few together to test and see if I they would live and also sell them successfully. They’re one of my biggest hits now! I find true happiness making them and seeing the joy they seemed to bring others.
I love when I see a plant business, having classes on terrariums or other than planty things- but I don’t come across too many businesses that actually make the terrariums- so it’s nice to see their success!
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
The vast majority of my networking has come from all of the farmer’s markets that I’ve been to over the last three years. So much of my business has branched from the people I’ve met and the things they have asked for help with. I now do interior plandscaping, custom arrangements, terrariums, planters, plant sitting and just about anything else plant related that you can probably think of!
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