Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Ferniza.
Hi Sara, 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?
My Viva Verde ATX Story
Viva Verde ATX was born from a lifelong belief that with hard work, dedication, and perseverance, anything is possible.
For 28 years, running was a major part of my life. I completed 59 marathons, including all six Abbott World Marathon Majors, a goal that took me 10 years to achieve. My journey was especially meaningful because years earlier, after the removal of a brain tumor, I was told I might never walk again, much less run.
Rather than accepting those limitations, I made a commitment to keep moving forward. Through determination, patience, and countless miles of training, I proved that dreams can still be achieved despite the odds.
In 2025, after completing my final World Major at the Tokyo Marathon, I retired from marathon running. For the first time in many years, I had free time that was no longer dedicated to training. While searching for a new creative outlet, I turned to another lifelong passion: plants and flowers, especially succulents.
I immersed myself in learning everything I could. I joined local succulent and cactus organizations, attended events, asked questions, and spent countless hours researching and experimenting with designs. Before long, I found myself creating succulent arrangements and developing a deeper appreciation for the beauty, creativity, and inspiration that plants bring to our lives.
As my collection of arrangements grew, so did the encouragement from friends and family. They loved my creations and suggested that I start selling them. That’s when Viva Verde ATX was born.
The name Viva Verde translates to “Live Green,” reflecting my passion for bringing nature and wellness into everyday spaces. “ATX” honors the city I call home, Austin, Texas. Today, Viva Verde ATX allows me to combine creativity, wellness, and community through handcrafted succulent arrangements that bring joy and natural beauty to others.
While I continue to volunteer within the Austin running community, I have discovered a new passion for creating living art. Through vendor markets and local events, I am sharing Viva Verde ATX with the Austin community, one handcrafted arrangement at a time.
Business Description
Viva Verde ATX is an Austin-based small business specializing in handcrafted living art. Each arrangement is thoughtfully designed and assembled by hand, blending modern style with a touch of the Southwest. Our creations are unique, low-maintenance, and carefully crafted to brighten homes, offices, and special celebrations throughout Central Texas.
Whether you’re searching for a meaningful gift or a beautiful addition to your own space, Viva Verde ATX brings the natural beauty of succulents to life, one handcrafted arrangement at a time.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Starting Viva Verde ATX has been incredibly rewarding, but it has also come with its share of challenges.
One of the biggest challenges has been learning how to transition from being passionate about a hobby to running a business. As a lifelong marathon runner, I understood discipline, commitment, and goal setting, but becoming a small business owner required an entirely new set of skills. I had to learn about pricing, inventory management, marketing, vendor events, social media, customer service, and all the behind-the-scenes responsibilities that come with running a successful business.
Another challenge was building confidence in my work. Creating succulent arrangements began as a personal passion, and at first, it felt strange asking people to pay for something I genuinely enjoyed making. It took encouragement from friends and family to help me realize that others saw value in my creations and that I could turn my passion into a business.
Time management has also been a significant learning experience. Although I retired from marathon running after completing the Abbott World Marathon Majors, I continue to volunteer within the Austin running community. In addition, I currently work full-time. Balancing my career, volunteer commitments, creating new arrangements, attending vendor markets, and growing Viva Verde ATX requires careful planning, organization, and dedication.
Like many small business owners, gaining exposure has been another hurdle. Building a customer base does not happen overnight. It takes patience, networking, attending markets, introducing people to the brand, and consistently showing up. I have also donated some of my arrangements to support community events and create opportunities for others to discover Viva Verde ATX. Every market and event provides valuable feedback and helps me better understand what customers are looking for while allowing me to continue improving my products and presentation.
Perhaps my greatest challenge came long before Viva Verde ATX. After brain tumor surgery, I was told I might never walk or run again. The determination and resilience I developed while proving those predictions wrong have become the foundation for how I approach every challenge today. Running taught me that progress happens one step at a time, and entrepreneurship is no different.
While the road has not always been easy, every challenge has helped me grow both personally and professionally. The same perseverance that carried me through 59 marathons and the achievement of all six Abbott World Marathon Majors continues to guide me as I grow Viva Verde ATX, one handcrafted arrangement at a time.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have spent most of my professional career working as a Paralegal, with extensive experience supporting corporate, litigation, and regulatory legal environments. Throughout my career, I have managed complex legal documentation, supported intercompany transactions, and helped ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and governance standards. These responsibilities have strengthened my organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments.
I am known for my dedication, reliability, and perseverance. Whether in my professional career, athletic pursuits, or entrepreneurial endeavors, I approach every challenge with a strong work ethic, a commitment to excellence, and a determination to achieve meaningful results. I take pride in being highly organized, adaptable, and willing to continually learn and grow.
While my legal career has been both rewarding and intellectually stimulating, I have always sought opportunities outside of work to challenge myself and pursue personal growth. For more than 28 years, that passion was fulfilled through long-distance running and travel. During that time, I completed 59 marathons, including all six Abbott World Marathon Majors, an achievement that took ten years to accomplish.
However, what I am most proud of is not simply completing those marathons. Years earlier, following brain tumor surgery, I was told I might never walk again, much less run. Through determination, patience, and resilience, I not only regained my mobility but went on to achieve goals that once seemed impossible. That experience taught me that setbacks do not define us; how we respond to them does. The perseverance I developed through that journey has shaped every aspect of my life.
Today, I bring those same qualities to my entrepreneurial journey as the founder of Viva Verde ATX. Through handcrafted succulent arrangements, I combine creativity, wellness, and a love of nature to create living art that brings beauty and inspiration into everyday spaces. Building a business from the ground up has allowed me to channel the discipline I developed as a legal professional and marathon runner into a new and exciting venture.
What sets me apart is my ability to successfully reinvent myself while remaining committed to lifelong learning and personal growth. From overcoming a life-changing medical challenge, to completing the Abbott World Marathon Majors, to launching a small business later in life, I have learned that it is never too late to pursue a new passion, develop new skills, or begin an entirely new chapter. If there is one accomplishment I am most proud of, it is continually embracing new challenges and proving that growth, purpose, and opportunity can exist at every stage of life.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that our biggest obstacles do not have to define us. Instead, they can become the foundation for our greatest accomplishments and the inspiration we share with others.
Years ago, after undergoing brain tumor surgery, I was told that I might never walk again, much less run. Those words could have discouraged me from pursuing my dreams, but instead they motivated me to work harder and focus on what was possible. Through perseverance, dedication, and a belief in myself, I not only returned to running but went on to complete 59 marathons, including all six Abbott World Marathon Majors, a goal that took ten years to achieve.
That journey taught me that success does not happen all at once. Whether recovering from a life-changing surgery, building a career as a paralegal, training for a marathon, or starting a small business, meaningful achievements come from taking one step at a time and remaining committed to your goals, especially when the road is difficult.
My running journey and recovery story have been featured by local television stations, newspapers, and other media outlets over the years. Having the opportunity to share my experiences has been incredibly meaningful because I hope my story encourages others to keep moving forward when they face setbacks, challenges, or self-doubt. If my journey has taught me anything, it is that people are often capable of far more than they believe.
That same mindset led me to create Viva Verde ATX. After retiring from marathon running following the Tokyo Marathon, I discovered a new passion for succulents and floral design. What began as a hobby evolved into a business because I was willing to learn, ask questions, embrace change, and pursue a new path.
Perhaps one of the most important lessons I have learned is that it is never too late to reinvent yourself. At 64 years old, I am living proof that it is never too late to pursue a new passion, learn new skills, start a new career, or create something meaningful. Every stage of life offers new opportunities for growth, purpose, and fulfillment if we are willing to embrace them.
If there is one message I hope people take away from my story, it is this:
Do not let others define your limits. Believe in yourself, embrace new opportunities, and never stop pursuing your passions. You may discover that your next chapter is even more fulfilling than the last.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://vivaverdeatx.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vivaverde.atx
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VivaVerdeATX
