We were lucky to catch up with Areina Cabezas recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Areina thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you think folks should manage their own social media or hire a professional? What do you do?

I manage all of my own social media across the board—Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and email blasts. Sassy Succulents RI is a tiny local business based in Rhode Island, and I’m a one-woman show. That means everything you see online is created and shared by me. Sometimes I use scheduling tools to help me stay organized, especially during busy weeks, but for the most part I post in the moment. Social media is one of the most important tools I have to reach new people and keep my community engaged. It’s where a lot of my customers first find me, and it’s where I get to show the behind-the-scenes of what I do.

I’ve chosen to keep it that way because I honestly believe no one can represent my brand better than I can. I’m the one in the trenches, talking to customers, creating the designs, running the workshops, and setting up at markets. My personality is a big part of what makes my business stand out, and I think that shines through in my content. If I handed it off to someone else, I don’t think it would feel as real or personal- no one brings the sass like me. One thing I’ve learned is that if your brand is built around your personality or your story, it’s worth showing up yourself. People connect with people, and I’ve been lucky to have a strong support system—family, friends, and followers who help spread the word by sharing my posts and cheering me on.

It’s a lot to juggle, but it’s also really rewarding to know that every part of my business reflects me.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Well allow me to introduce myself- I’m Areina Cabezas, the founder and succulent stylist behind Sassy Succulents RI, a small, local business based in the Ocean State. Sassy Succulents actually started as a home-based party idea—I used to gather with friends to create succulent arrangements just for fun. When the pandemic hit and everything shut down, I pivoted to creating DIY succulent kits and personally delivering them all over the state. It gave parents and families a fun, hands-on activity to enjoy while stuck at home. Once things began to open back up, I started offering in-person workshops at local restaurants as a way to help bring people together again—and bring customers back to small businesses.

Today, Sassy Succulents offers interactive services like Rhode Island’s first mobile Make-Your-Own Succulent Bar, themed planting workshops for adults and kids, party favors for weddings and showers, and even private events like fundraisers, birthday parties and team-building sessions. Everything is centered around creativity, community, and the joy of succulent plants.

What sets me apart is that I’m a one-woman show. I design every arrangement, host every event, and manage all my own marketing. My personality is a big part of the brand, and I’ve found that customers really connect with that. I love helping people slow down, try something new, and leave with something they’re proud to have made.

What I’m most proud of is how far this little idea has come—and how many smiles it’s brought along the way. Sassy Succulents is all about creating feel-good, plant-based experiences that stick with people long after the soil settles.

Have you ever had to pivot?

One of the biggest pivots I’ve made in business was right at the beginning of the pandemic. I had just started Sassy Succulents RI as a fun, home-based party idea, where friends would come together to create succulent arrangements. It was meant to be something creative and social, centered around in-person connection. But when COVID hit, everything changed.

With in-person gatherings off the table, I had to completely rethink how to keep the business going. That’s when I came up with the idea to create DIY succulent kits. These kits gave families a fun and engaging way to connect and create something beautiful from home—something I knew a lot of people needed during lockdown. The kits were great for both adults and kids, and they turned out to be the perfect outlet for families looking for screen-free activities while stuck inside.

I used social media to get the word out, posting photos, sharing how the kits worked, and offering contactless porch pick-ups and deliveries. I drove all over the state of Rhode Island—sometimes even into nearby parts of Massachusetts and Connecticut—dropping off kits right to people’s doorsteps. It was all about making it as easy and safe as possible for families to get their hands on something creative and uplifting.

Since we couldn’t go into stores, I ordered everything I needed online—soil, planters, plants, supplies—and had it shipped directly to me. It was a huge learning experience, but one I’m really proud of. Looking back, I truly believe COVID helped me grow my business. I was furloughed from my corporate job at the time, so I had the flexibility to focus on Sassy Succulents full-time, and that’s when it really started to take off.

The community I built during that time has stayed with me. When I eventually returned to my corporate job, I made the decision to keep Sassy Succulents seasonal, which works perfectly for my lifestyle and lets me show up with full energy during workshops, events, and markets. That pivot during the pandemic didn’t just keep my business alive—it helped it bloom. PUN INTENDED.

Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?

Funding a small business—especially in today’s economy—can feel overwhelming and uncertain. When I started Sassy Succulents RI, there was no big investor or loan behind it. I built it slowly and intentionally, funding everything myself while working a full-time 9 to 5 job. That structure has worked well for me. It gives me the stability I need to provide for my family, while also allowing me to invest in my dream on the side.

Would I love to someday have a brick-and-mortar space? Absolutely. And maybe if the economy stabilizes—or I hit the lottery—that could become a reality. But for right now, I’ve found a rhythm that works. Running my business from home and being mobile has its advantages. There’s a lot less overhead, which means a lot less stress. I can pop up at markets, host workshops at partner venues, and bring my services directly to my clients without worrying about rent or staffing a storefront.

It’s not always easy juggling both a corporate job and a creative business, but knowing that every dollar I put into Sassy Succulents is one I’ve earned makes it feel even more meaningful. I’m proud of what I’ve built, and I’m grateful for the flexibility to grow it on my own terms.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sassysucculentsri.com
• Instagram: @sassysucculentsri
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/sassysucculentsri
• Yelp: Sassy Succulents RI
• Other: Tik Tok @sassysucculentsri

Image Credits

Areina Cabezas
Heather Golding Photography