Today we’d like to introduce you to Shelby Passmore
Shelby, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
When I moved into my first apartment and started college, I wanted to make my space feel more like home. I picked up my very first plant—a small Money Tree from my local Lowe’s—and instantly fell in love with it. That was the start of my journey into the world of houseplants. Over time, I taught myself about everything from propagating plants to dealing with pests and diseases. Of course, I faced my fair share of plant failures along the way, but in the process, I found an amazing community of fellow plant enthusiasts online who shared my passion.
To help fund my growing hobby and expand my personal collection, I started selling some of my plants online. That’s when the idea for Soil Magnets was born. I began doing small vendor markets in nearby towns, where I gained hands-on experience selling and connecting with incredible business owners who helped spread the word about my plants. After gaining a base following I developed an online store. Through trial and error, I’ve slowly began to learn what makes a business succeed. Although my shop is only about two years old, the support of my friends, family, and new connections, have helped me start gaining recognition as a local plant seller! It’s been an incredible journey so far, and I’m so excited for what’s to come.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Starting a business has definitely not been a smooth road, and I don’t necessarily expect it to come easy in the future, business takes work. I’ve faced plenty of challenges along the way—like sun damage to plants at summer markets, losing inventory to pests when bringing in new projects, and sometimes just getting so caught up in life that I felt too exhausted to keep up with everything. No one wants damaged plants and keeping up with the care on so many plants was something I had to adjust to so I lost a lot the first year. There was even a time when I stopped selling for a few months, seriously considering giving it all up. I was working full time, attending college full time, and thought it would just be easier to focus on that instead of continuing what I started. Life has a way of getting in the way, especially when you’re juggling many other responsibilities. The waiting game can be difficult too, sometimes it takes a while for you to really see the progress and results.
We’ve been impressed with Soil Magnets, 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?
As a business owner, I’m passionate about providing a truly personalized experience for plant lovers. My business is a local popup shop and online store that specializes in offering a diverse selection of indoor plants and plant accessories. I’ve carefully curated an inventory of both common and rare varieties of houseplants to cater to all types of plant enthusiasts—from beginners just starting their plant journey to seasoned collectors who are looking for something special. Whether you’re based in Texas or visiting during one of our pop-up events, I try to ensure that everyone has access to the plants they’ll love.
I know from experience that many people are hesitant to dive into plant care because they’re worried they don’t have a “green thumb” or they’re afraid of making mistakes. What makes my shop special is that I’ve designed it to offer plants based on people’s specific habits. For example, if you tend to overwater, I have a selection of low-maintenance plants that thrive on lots of water. If you’re someone who sometimes forgets to water, I offer plants that are more forgiving. I also have plenty of options for different lighting situations, whether you live in an apartment with limited sunlight or have a home full of bright windows. And for those who love plants but aren’t quite ready to take the plunge, I also offer plant-themed accessories like handmade plant keychains to bring a bit of greenery into their lives.
What truly makes my store special is the one-on-one connection I build with my customers. I encourage my supporters to reach out with plant requests, questions, or just to chat about their plant journey—whether they’ve made a purchase or not. I share plant care tips and advice on my social media to help anyone looking to learn more, or simply get started on their own jungle journey. Plus, since I do pop-up events, including cities like New Braunfels, San Marcos, Kyle, and Buda, I make sure to bring my plants directly to people who may want to skip the shipping fees and shop locally. I hope to be able to expand soon to other cities as well.
At the end of the day, my goal is to create a welcoming environment where plant lovers of all kinds can find what they need and feel supported.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
My favorite thing about Austin is that it offers so many different activities and has so much variety. There is always something new to try, whether it be food, shopping centers, or outdoor activities. There is always something to experience, you can never get bored here! I also couldn’t forget about the art. There are so many amazing murals and art works spread all throughout the city.
My least favorite thing about the city, I’m sure is the same as many others, is the traffic. Since so many people either live, work, or vacation in Austin, It would only make sense that it’s always busy!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://soil-magnets.square.site/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soil_magnets
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1H9mYh491b
