Today we’d like to introduce you to Elvi Casia
Hi Elvi, 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 am proud to come from a family of entrepreneurs. From my grandma selling snacks and convenience goods to our small province in the Philippines, to my mother pioneering an e-commerce business for mid-luxury products in the early 2000s, I’ve been around small businesses for my entire life. Growing up, I actually never wanted to become an entrepreneur because I had seen firsthand the amount of work that went into running a business. Rather, I went on to get degrees in Public Health and Linguistics at the University of Texas. However, when I became an avid plant collector soon after graduating, the entrepreneurial instincts kicked in naturally. As for my grandma’s green thumb magic— not so much! She definitely taught me what she could about plant care, but it took a lot of trial and error on my end before I found a way that worked for my collection and my living space.
When I learned how to propagate plants, I began quickly multiplying my rare plants and selling them to other collectors via Facebook Marketplace. After one too many transactions fell through with an unreliable customer, I decided to finally fully commit to my own business model and brand. Thus, Botany Buffet was born! Within a month, I had registered my business as an LLC, opened up an online shop, amassed a social media following, and emerged in the vibrant Austin vendor market scene. I have to thank the team at Eden House Botanicals for trusting in my new business enough to allow me the vend for the very first time at a spring market they hosted.
I started by selling my plant cuttings, but a couple months down the line, I began crafting decorative and functional plant accessories as an outlet for my creativity. I spent about a year working with wire and beading as my artistic medium, also dabbling in resin and metal stamping.
But one day, I was contacted by the team at Make at Rosie, a women-run community Makerspace in North Austin. They invited me to visit their space and check out the tools they offered. I have a background in computer-aided design and 3D printing from my undergraduate work and research, so it was a no-brainer to me. I was immediately drawn to their Glowforge laser cutter. I spent about a week or so learning about the best practices, experimenting with materials, and honing my vector graphic design skills before jumping completely into offering laser cut acrylic plant accessories.
Truthfully, my story of growth is one owed to my loved ones and my fellow community members in Austin and Houston. Working with and representing the local queer community and the local BIPOC, Asian, and Filipino communities has been such an honor. In particular, I have to thank the coordinators of the following markets and organizations for inspiring me and giving me a platform and marketplace for my products: Pinoy Potluck, Azn Szn, PlantCon, Houston Plant Market, Central Texas Plant People, Frida Fridays, Big Ole Queer Market, MaryJae, The Front Market, Vibe Artisan Market.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Running a business is more of a marathon than a sprint, and the road isn’t always smooth. My biggest struggle has been having to learn everything myself. While my mother has been a huge supporter of my business and has given me advice more times than I can count, my business does differ from her experience because of the extra element of creating my own products.
I have also grappled with the balance between selling plants and selling the functional art to supplement them. Keeping plants alive and attractive enough to sell comes with a huge time investment and limited longevity. On the other hand, my art is niche but can be easily reproduced and sold on a wholesale level.
I would love to see my products in some local Austin and Texas boutiques, but I know that there’s a lot to learn with marketing my products to other businesses and helping them see the value of those products. As of this interview, I am actually stepping away from my corporate job to focus on gaining a more formal digital marketing education and pursuing my business full time. I’m nervous for the change but definitely trying to keep an open mind!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I like to think the name Botany Buffet encompasses what I do and what I have to offer. I got my start by selling low-maintenance houseplants that are mainly propagated from my personal collection or sourced from local nurseries. In addition, I craft handmade and digitally designed plant accessories that serve as functional art. These include plant stakes, plant trellises, propagation stations, and air plant holders. While I had my start with wire wrapping and beading, I currently focus on working with laser-cut acrylic.
What are your plans for the future?
I’m in the process of my biggest change yet! By circumstance, I ended up having to step down from my corporate job, which opened up an opportunity to pursue my business full time. I am also beginning a certificate program for digital marketing at the University of Texas, so as I gain more formal skills, I’m excited to see what changes I will make to my branding and overall strategy for increasing revenue and reach. I don’t know how long I’ll be full-time for Botany Buffet, but I will surely make the most of it while I can!
With the holiday season coming up, I just launched my Spooky Collection on October 1st, and I expect to launch my Holiday Collection by mid-November. Additionally, I have been working on a collab with the business Always Sonny Candle Co. to produce some plant-inspired scents, perfect for the fall and winter seasons. The scents and designs have been finalized, so they should be available to order by the Holiday Collection launch, if not sooner!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://botanybuffet.square.site/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/botanybuffet
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/botanybuffet
Image Credits
Joi Conti
