We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Maritza Mendoza-Aguirre a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Maritza thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
I took a risk in starting Soulful Succulents. I started a succulent garden and really enjoyed the process of watching my propagation station grow. Never did I think that I was going to start a business from my little garden, that has now taken over my back yard, front yard, patio, and porch. I took a shot in seeing if people would actually buy my creations,,. and they did. I started with boutiques, art fairs, farmers markets, to stores, to workshops, to big parties and working with corporations. I took a chance and used my people skills and prayed a lot. And thank God Soulful Succulents is doing well.
Maritza , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Hello, my name is Maritza Mendoza-Aguirre. I am the owner and creator of Soulful Succulents. Soulful Succulents is my small plant shop business. I create a variety of succulent, plant, and dried flower arrangements in unique vessels either custom ordered or uniquely designed by myself. I sell my creations online or at my events. I also host private succulent parties and succulent workshops that are called “Sip ‘n’ Succs Workshops.” They are called “Sip ‘n’ Succs” because I provide my clients with their first drink while they work with my succulents. I host my “Sip ‘n’ Succs Workshops all over Southern California. I have workshops from Santa Barbara all the way down to San Diego. I have also done Zoom workshops nationwide with the Ritz Carlton. We had people from around the United States and in Bora Bora in that workshop. I also had the grand opportunity of shooting a commercial and photo shoot with VENMO. That was super unique since it was in the pretty early stages of the Pandemic. Also during the Pandemic I worked with YELP OC and provided a workshop to a large group of people on zoom. During the shut down I delivered succulents, plants, and DIY projects. It was my family’s only trip outside the home. So it was very special to try to make someone happy. Additionally, I create succulent jewelry of all kinds. I want to create something unique and beautiful that someone can wear as a living piece of art.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
I love that I meet new people at my workshops. I love that I can have people be in a peaceful, meditative, and therapeutic state while working with nature. It really is a beautiful thing. I also love that I am back at teaching. I love to be creative and see everyone’s creativity come to fruition. Lastly, I love that I can create a piece of art that will put a smile on someone’s face.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
Yes, working with succulents and plants has literally made my soul calmer. It has helped me get thru many trials. During som of my toughest times, that is when I create some of my most beautiful pieces.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://soulfulsucculents.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soulful_succulents
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/4550347213693
- Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com@soulfulsuculent
- Yelp: https://m.yelp.com.>biz>soulful-succulents=
- Other: Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SoulfulSucculents Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@soulful_succulents Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/soulful-succulents-14050406159