We recently connected with Savannah Toal and have shared our conversation below.

Savannah, appreciate you joining us today. Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?

I do think I am happier as a business owner, but there’s definitely moments where that’s not the case. I actually had that thought the other day about what if I just had my old job. I think the thought came up because I am going through some changes and making some big decisions. It’s sometimes lonely owning a business especially when it’s just you or a small team. You have to make the big decisions and that’s daunting sometimes. When I get into new things or projects/situations, I doubt myself. Am I making the right choice? What if I fail? It’s apart of owning a business for sure, everything comes with risk. Everything ends up being okay in the end and the next time I come upon a decision like that one or problem I won’t doubt myself, because I’ve done it before.

I think the biggest thing I have learned about following my dream is practicing the rule of thirds (I saw this from someone else I do not take credit for this lol). You are meant to feel good a third of the time, okay a third of the time and bad a third of the time. That is a good ratio for doing well in your dream chasing. If the ratio is off like you are feeling too good, are you trying hard enough? or if you are feeling too bad are you pushing yourself too hard or burnt out? It helps me evaluate how I do life, relationships and business.

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

Hey Y’all! My name is Savannah Toal. I am a houseplant stylist and consultant! I started Plant Savvy to make houseplants and plant care more accessible and available to everyone. I believe that everyone can achieve their plant visions affordably and creatively at whatever level they wish. I’m a crazy plant lady and love to share my passion and love of plants with others!

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I built my audience initially on TikTok during the pandemic. It was really good timing as everyone was stuck inside and TikTok had so many viewers at that time.

I started filming “Cheap Plant Hack” Videos and they just blew up! From there I moved to Instagram and Pinterest.

I think the main thing I learned with social media is finding the happy medium between posting what you want and posting content that will bring relevance to your followers or future followers. I would try to outline 4 types of things or subjects that your brand will post and then make content based around that. So I have educational content (this brings a specific relevance to my followers), lifestyle content, projects or installation content (marketing my business), and then whatever the hell I wanna post! Just try to keep the ratio somewhat equal.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

When I first moved here a professor at my college told me “This a small town, do not burn bridges”. At the time I was like “Girl, this is not a small town”. Since then I have realized just how many people know other people.

Word of mouth has been AMAZING for me. I have gotten so many new clients and grown my clientele on major levels through word of mouth and my reputation within the community. I cannot tell you how important it is to get into your specific community and start to meet people.

For mine, I started with the local garden centers. I would go and just talk to the employees and try to connect with the owners. I absolutely love the friends and people I have met through just putting myself out there.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.plantsavvy.com
• Instagram: @plantsavvyco
• Facebook: @plantsavvy
• Other: TikTok: @plantsavvyco Pinterest: @plantsavvy

Image Credits
Kristen Jean Miller Daniel Chaney