We were lucky to catch up with Santrica Walker recently and have shared our conversation below.

Santrica , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

I have always had a love for plants indoor more than outdoor. As I delved deeper into the world of plants, I realized the profound impact they had on my well-being. The ritual of watering, pruning, and repotting became meditative practices that soothed my mind and lifted my spirits. The plants’ resilience and ability to flourish in challenging environments inspired me to cultivate those same qualities within myself, both personally and professionally.

I didn’t start my business for financial gain, I started to share plants and my knowledge of plants with others who enjoy plants or for those who might have needs similar to my own. I initially started with collecting plants that intrigued me visually. I then moved into propagating plants – this is when you cut from a plant you already have and duplicate that plant – this process led to me having more plants than I had space so I decided to sell some in local Facebook group. During this time I was asked by a friend if I could repot some plants for her and if so how much would I charge her for the services; this is what placed the thought of getting an LLC in my mind. I applied for the LLC which opened additional doors and opportunities, within my community and neighborhood that’s how Rare & Rooted Co., LLC was established.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m a Navy veteran, a country girl some say, born and raised in Mississippi with a passion for plants, gardening and entrepreneurship. I find joy in “playing in the dirt” and sharing what I know about plants and gardening with other’s. Rare & Rooted Co., LLC brings joy and serenity to others through nature.

I’m definitely a phytophile, someone who loves or is especially interested in plants.
My journey into the world of plants began as a personal path to wellness, which has extended into me sharing the beauty and benefits of greenery with my community.
My professional background is education and counseling; sharing and teaching others comes naturally.
Rare & Rooted, offers a curated selection of indoor plants, planters, plant care services, set-up and tips for outdoor container gardening, micro gardening, and soil amendments from consultations to maintenance – designed to bring harmony and life to homes and workplaces to people of all ages. I also volunteer with several programs in the community to educate young adults on plants and gardening.

My mission is to share my love of plants through helping and educating others about plants, nurture their own connection with nature, promote mental well-being, air quality, and aesthetic delight.

What sets my business apart is the love and care I put into every plant, garden, and customer interaction. I’m dedicated to providing exceptional service, sharing plant knowledge, and fostering a community that celebrates the wonders of the plant world.

I provide mobile plant care for home and business, create personalized live plant arrangements, selling online, I’ve expanded to outdoor gardening, and I love doing local vendor events.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn that a business main goal should not focused on only making money. I have my business because it’s my passion and I love sharing it with others. After the first year with the business, I also did not renew my LLC because I felt that I was not as successful as other businesses and I did not have the followers – or Social media presence of others (I still don’t), that I wasn’t successful. I went into my garden to work and think about my next steps it didn’t take me long for me to realize that I didn’t care about the money or followers plants were and would be my passion and I would not stop growing and sharing with anyone who was interested and that sought plant advice.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Being knowledgeable on a variety of plant species and topics and also having a variety of plants. Plant lovers want healthy green lush plants – it’s important to grow the healthiest plants. Additionally, consistency, and providing knowledge on the best care for each plant.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://palmstreet.app/u/RAREROOTED?pr=3Ywo3DZK
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rare.rooted/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Cab5qC9Qq/