Starting over
Hey Plant Folks! It has been a while since I made a blog post. 2024 was a rough year for me personally and for the business as well. I lost my grandma, my two cats (an 18 and a 15-year-old) and a few other loved ones all in a span of a few months around the end of 2024. As for the business, the plant crash affected a lot of us greatly. With the ballooning of the prices and the sheer number of new plant sellers it was bound to happen. We tried to prepare for it, but it was quite difficult to cushion the blow.
Starting over with Littlebotany and the business
We were fortunate to have started the business before Covid so we could relate to the plant scene before that. Littlebotany started with the idea of sharing the hobby more than selling a plant. In the business aspect, selling the hobby was always the main goal. Never the plants. Also, we were never Aroid heavy to begin with. Our plants have always reflected our branding, LITTLEbotany. So, our goals were to sell mini plants for people to grow and learn. It also benefited most of the plant people in the HDB setting whom lacked space. Lastly, the meaning of Botany is studies of plant. Heading back to what our brand name really reminded us on who we are why we started the business. After the Aroid crash and the ending of plant trends, we started downsizing our outlets and going back to smaller plants. We reduced the number of collector's type of plants; in doing so, we saved on shipping, space and the whole stress of acclimatizing etc. On top of that, in the spirit of following our journey of sharing the hobby, we picked up more Plant Workshops sessions and started the Littlebot Plant Vending Machine. We were blessed to join other plant veterans like Little Big Garden that brought us along this teaching journey. The business became fulfilling again and we were re-inspired and energized.
Starting over with plants
Losing my grandma was so tough. I was very close with her, and we bonded greatly with gardening. We used to stay together, and she always tends my garden for me when I am away. We are similar in so many ways. From the type of plants we like, to over watering them too. Whenever I look at my plants, I will think of her, and it makes me really sad. Gardening was my escape and now it is also my burden. I could not tend to my garden after she passed. Even my cat Miggi, she would always be under my trees. She was gone too. I stopped gardening altogether. My plants suffered greatly and naturally my business too. I got professional help, and I am currently navigating through this. Somehow some of my plants survived through it. Seeing them still standing tall and throwing out new leaves even after months of no water. It gave me hope and strength. If the plants could do it, I guess I could do it too. I always say, "in being compassionate to my plants, I learn to be compassionate to myself". So, I picked up that watering can and restarted my planting journey again. I am slowly healing and so are my plants. With professional help and help from my plants, I have renewed confidence that it will be okay again. Starting over with my plants.
- Fendi