Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Womack.
Hi Courtney, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was diagnosed with Persistent Depressive Disorder and General Anxiety Disorder in 2017. I was at a point in my life where nothing was adding up for me. On my 25th birthday, I decided to cheer myself up. The thought of a fish was a bright idea until my mom suggested another idea. She told me to get a houseplant and with that suggestion, it changed my life. I was able to focus on something that brought me joy. I realized that nurturing and caring for this plant was helping me do the same for myself. Now, I want to bring that same houseplant experience to everyone.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I’d like to summarize this experience as an adventure with a lot of pitstops. I had a map, and I knew where I wanted to go. What I didn’t plan on were the bumps! (insert laugh) I knew I wanted to start Oops I Planted Again as a way to empower people with plants. Through their care and cultivation of those plants, they’d also learn to do that for themselves. I had a deep fear of failure. I had thoughts of not being good enough. I had my doubts. I decided to face those fears and silence those thoughts by making my first TikTok video. In sharing that video of love for plants, I was able to build a kick-ass community full of amazing plant lovers from all over the world.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Oops, I Planted Again started as my way of therapy. Being a disabled military veteran, I knew about healthy coping mechanisms. I found that this was a way of healing and de-stress, and that’s so important in these times. I knew that I had to share it with the world.
What sets my brand apart from the others is its authenticity, originality, inclusivity, and at its heart its meaning. Intersectionality has taught me many different perspectives. Being a Black, queer, disabled veteran has shown me the richness of diversity and the need for togetherness. Through planting and cultivating our love of plants, we also cultivate our minds. Besides that, we have really great plants and merch!
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I think everything is a risk. Living is a risk. To chase your dreams and desires within itself is a risk. But just because something is risky does it make any less worth it? The biggest risk that I think I’ve taken was starting this type of business. There wasn’t too much information out there on what I was trying to do. I didn’t want to be a person that just sold plants. I didn’t want to be a plant store either. I wanted to cultivate an experience with plants and create a community. I wanted everyone, no matter their race, orientation, religion, or nationality to also be the face of my brand.
Going out on a limb with such an idea was risky to say the least, but it’s been the most rewarding. So, to the risk-taker that has doubts about their dream. I tell you to do it anyway. To the risk-taker that thinks that their idea isn’t trendy, make it trendy. There are billions of ideas but only one of you. You’re your own brand. Take the risk.
Pricing:
- Plant Consultations (Virtual & In Person) – $30 per hour
- Plant Sitting (In Person ATX) – $50+
Contact Info:
- Email: hello@oopsiplantedagain.com
- Website: www.oopsiplantedagain.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oopsiplantedagain/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/OopsIPlantedAgain
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@oopsiplantedagain
