We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Catherine Boswell a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Catherine, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

My best friend introduced me to succulents six years ago, and I couldn’t get over the endless creative things that you could create with them. I made my first Fairy Garden, and I was hooked. I loved how easy succulents were to care for, and loved seeing them change with growth. We started doing farmers markets and did markets together for a year and it was so much fun. I had found my happy place and wanted to continue.

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.

Jade Tree Succulents seeks to create healthy, creative arrangements that you can easily bring into your home. We do the work of potting for you and provide care instructions that set you up for success. Jade Tree believes bringing plants into your home or business creates a comfortable, calming environment, and is something everyone can benefit from.

I have always had a passion for interior design, and have found a way to combine that passion with my love for plants. Jade Tree Succulents makes it easy for beginner plant parents to be successful. I propagate houseplants from my personal collection and give personalized advice to my customers that has worked for me, setting them up for success. I also grow succulents from cuttings and create unique items that are great gifts.

I love seeing the joy that a creative plant piece can bring someone. I love creating a beautiful scene with plants, and treat each time I do a market as a presentation. I love challenging myself to create new pieces that introduce new customers to plants in creative ways.
For example, someone might not be into plants and then they see string of pearls in a bath tub planter and fall in love with it. I will educate them of what that plant needs to thrive, and often times that is their introduction into being a plant parent.

This August it will be five years as Jade Tree Succulents. Playing in dirt is very therapeutic for me and I have found creating things makes me happy. There is something about seeing the smiling faces of people holding their new plant that is so cool.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I began this small business journey with my best friend, and after a year, she no longer wanted to do the business. This was a very tough point for me, because I had to decide if I wanted to continue in this journey, or give it up all together.

I had to really start from scratch for the most part. I had to come up with a new name, and new social media, which took a few months to figure out. My boyfriend at the time, which is now my husband, was very supportive and encouraged me every step of the way. I’m so glad that I listened to him and continued. This is my sixth year, five years with Jade Tree Success and I still love doing it.

This year was able to quit my day job. My side hustle had turned into my career. My biggest advice to creatives who want to have a small business and support themselves is to not give up. Don’t be afraid to try things, and not everything will be successful, but you don’t know unless you try.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I love the creative outlet that Jade Tree is for me, and the rush of excitement I get from each event or market. The connection I have with my community is also something that has brought me a lot of joy. I think the thing that drives me and is most rewarding is seeing my customers sheer excitement over something that I created.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://g.co/kgs/PKBr8S
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jadetreesucculents/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jadetreesucculents?mibextid=b06tZ0

Image Credits
Photo by Mary Hartshorn, of “The Southern Creative”