We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kyra Albarracin. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kyra below.
Alright, Kyra thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.
Part of my mission is to educate people on plant care, particularly around succulents and cacti that are semi-arid plants that need some adaptation to the wet and humid environments of Miami. In addition to selling beautiful arrangements and styled plants, I have a fascination with home decor — particularly pieces that are handcrafted, unique and stylish.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
In a world where we are seeing more biophilic design connecting with the modern built environment, I set out to combine both worlds to bring warmth, style and wellbeing to homes.
Keeks Corner carefully curates pieces that bring inspiration to your indoor and outdoor spaces – or what I like to call, your Keeks Corners. My passion includes plant designing and finding the right vessel to compliment it.
As a plant stylist, I carefully help identify the right plant or type of arrangement that will thrive within your homes enviornment. I take into consideration your style and understanding of plants and help educate you on the upkeep.
How did I get here? Well, after moving back to Miami, Florida in 2016, I took a moment to reflect on my life. While I was settling into my new home, I began looking at how I can create a zen space with greenery and décor that fulfilled me.
I began visiting local nurseries and came across a locally owned succulent nursery. I was so inspired by all the beautiful colors, shapes, and varieties that I immediately was drawn to them. $200 later, I was home making beautiful arrangements for myself. Something about their beauty brought me happiness and tranquility.
After running out of space in my home, I started creating and sharing beautifully made arrangements for friends and family. The amount of requests and praise made me start thinking I can share this gift with others if I started my own business.
What started as an Instagram page in the summer of 2020 has evolved into something very special and I haven’t looked back! I am always looking for new opportunities and ideas. While I am currently just servicing Miami, Florida, my goal is to one day expand.
Sometimes when it’s meant to be your time, there is no stopping it!
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
Recently, I decided it was time to reset my life. For a few years I realized I wasn’t fulfilled by my corporate career. While it did equip me with knowledge and experience that is helping me achieve my new path, I am ready to fly on my own. It was bitter sweet to take this leap of faith because of how comfortable I was, but I realized that was exactly why I needed to take this next step in my life — because I was comfortable.
I recently took a 6 week trip through Mexico to help with my personal growth and find new opportunities for my business. What I ended up with was meeting and building new relationships and most importantly I finally fell in love with myself. I finally found comfort in being in uncomfortable situations. I realized that I am a lot more capable and charming than I used to think. And most importantly, I found inner peace.
Stay tuned for my blog around my experience that I will be publishing on my website.
What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?
Now that I am no longer working my corporate job, I have more time to focus on my side hustle turned full time business opportunity. There is a sense of freedom when you are your own boss and you can shape your day in any which way. I am thankful that I have a good sense of organization and discipline and hope that in the coming months, I can make some huge strides for the better of my company.
Coming up in September I will be co-hosting an event at the Graffiti Art Museum in Wynwood with another plant curator “Plant The Jungle”. The event will be a fusion between the graffiti art scene and plant collectors in an effort to bring Biophilic design to the Miami concrete jungle. I am very excited to see what new opportunities may arise from this journey.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Photos were taken by my brother or myself.