Latoya Williams brightens hearts and homes with nature

Latoya Williams discovered her love for plants a few years ago, and with gardening being one of the world’s most popular hobbies, she knew she was on to something special. What she didn’t expect was that her journey as a ‘succulent mom’ would blossom into a thriving business, turning her into a ‘plant-epreneur’.

“My mother was a plant fanatic, she loved them and grew as much as she possibly could. My goal was to learn enough about them and collect them for my future home. But out of nowhere, I developed this love, fascination and serious commitment to being a plant mom. So much so that I curate, nurture and lovingly place plants, particularly succulents with new forever families,” she told Saturday Living.

So it came as no surprise when Williams decided to source succulents to create cool corporate gifts. What she stumbles upon next shocked her. “I couldn’t find anyone in the moment to put them together and complete the number of packages and present them in the way I wanted them. So, it never happened. I realised then and there that others might have a deep interest in giving others in this natural capacity, but facing similar challenges.”

After sharing this concern with a friend, she was encouraged to be the change she wanted to see, and take a chance on this new venture. “When others were saying no, don’t, this person told me, “It’s going to work!” I needed that to be brave. Spending months researching, sourcing, and putting together funds to make the initial investment, I opened Toy Gift Home over a year ago and haven’t looked back since,” she said.

Williams explained that, so far, customers have used the potted or ‘vased’ succulents as team tokens, as well as congratulatory, anniversary and birthday gifts, among other special occasions. “Many people get a plant or two, just for themselves. And persons have even sent coded messages like pregnancy reveals, or personalisation with names.”

For the new year, Toy Gift Home started the affirmations collection. According to the plant lover, you are what you see and affirm, so having uplifting words present on the plants does wonders for introducing harmony and positive energy to your home or office. Popular words include unstoppable, intentional and faith, among others. As for the recently wrapped love season, the company launched the heartbeats collection, which is vases shaped similar to hearts and branded in a love-inspired fashion.

Despite the learning curve, the journey has been an exciting one. “People are loving it, just as much as I do. Some are really catching the succulent bug. And I am just happy to be a medium that brings a little bit more joy to others and brightens their spaces within a good price point,” she added.

NEW PLANT OWNERS MISTAKES

Three key mistakes new plant-owners make when it comes to succulents are: overwatering, underwatering, and giving them too much direct sunlight or heat. “Succulents are desert plants and don’t have to be watered daily. But then you have persons who underestimate the nurturing process, not watering them for weeks or months at a time; they need more love than that. Also, these plants prefer shaded sunlight,” Williams highlighted.

Cleaning the air from toxins, producing oxygen for better breathing, lowering stress, improving mood, improving aesthetics and creating feng shui, which promotes balance in the environment, are just some of the wonderful benefits plants bring to our world. And, this plant boss is honoured to share this natural experience.

“It has been a relief, a joy and a very healing experience, cultivating, dressing and making beautiful arrangements for people. My eyes have been opened to aspects of the natural world that I didn’t see before. It brings me joy to be grounded in the dirt, seeing the blossoms and blooms and that part of me strongly wants to give that to others. The entire process reminds me to be simple and grounded about certain things, growing in many areas while blooming in others,” she noted.

For new plant parents, Williams recommends picking a lovely pot for your plant, so that it becomes part of your decor and you will tend to your new plant more, “It’s much harder for you to ignore something that lifts the room or surroundings. Also, get more plants, gift more plants, and personalise them more; you will take better care of them, and they will take good care of you.”

krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.com