Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Zamora.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Absolutely! I’ve been working in health care in one capacity or another for my entire adult life. It’s a path that has been rewarding and challenging but not entirely fulfilling. My husband and I have been in Austin for almost 20 years and have spent a great majority of that time daydreaming about what we really want to do when we grow up.
I found myself running into Instagram profiles of these amazing plant trucks. There was a handful of adorable and creative trucks that I was just fascinated by. It occurred to me that hey, why couldn’t we do that. Ultimately plants have always been a big part of our life and so why couldn’t we turn our hobby into a business. Finally, an idea that felt right.
We set out to make it happen. One way or another. Then, Covid. We definitely had people in our lives who thought we were crazy. Sometimes we did as well. Who starts a business in the middle of a pandemic? But it just felt right. And so here we are. Working hard on our side hustle so that we can one day call it our day job.
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?
I’m not sure starting your own business is ever a smooth road or without its challenges. Especially with no experience, full-time jobs, and two kids to boot. It requires long hours. All of your “free time” and every drop of energy you have left. It’s what we talk about, what we think about, and at this point what we dream about. But it’s ours. We own it, we’re growing it and we’re nurturing this business with everything we have left.
And the bonus. Our kids are watching and learning. They’re seeing first-hand what it means to work hard for something you want. Unlike myself, they will know that healthcare isn’t the only option. There’s a world full of possibilities. If you’re creative enough to dream it and you’re willing to work harder than ever then you can make it happen.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Essentially, we bring plants to where you work, live, and play. We started Austin’s first mobile plant boutique and we love seeing how excited people are when they discover our truck for the first time.
We carry a range of tropical indoor plants and we provide as much coaching and education as possible to set people up for success. If you’re looking for beginner, low light, pet friendly, or anything in between we probably have it on the truck. We also have a large collection of rare/uncommon plants that we sell on other platforms. But we enjoy being able to provide plants for all levels of experience.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk-taking?
Oh goodness. I think most people who know me have come to realize that I am a huge risk-taker. It isn’t something I have always recognized but at this point, there is no denying it. One thing that I can say for sure is that once I have a big idea. I go for it. I follow my instincts and trust that as long as I take the next right step it will all work out. Full steam ahead.
Ultimately. It’s scary. We have boot-strapped this entire endeavor. We have put it all on the line and have trusted that we are making the right decision and that the next big decision will come to us when necessary. Don’t get me wrong. There is a ton of planning and focus involved. It can be all-consuming but it’s worth it.
You have to ask for what you want. From your employer, your partner, yourself. It can be scary to follow that little voice but ultimately what do you have to lose. Other than time and a whole lot of money, lol. Seriously though, with great risk comes great reward. I truly believe that.
Pricing:
- Plants range greatly in price depending on what you are looking for.
- Our plants range from $10 to $172
- Plants on the truck are generally between $10 and $115
- Rare plants can come in all price ranges that sometimes only a collector will understand.
Contact Info:
- Email: pricklyplanttruck@gmail.com
- Website: pricklyplanttruck.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/pricklyplanttruck
- Facebook: facebook.com/pricklyplanttruck
Image Credits
Alicia Leigh Photography
