A growing journey

“Any time you find yourself making life decisions to satisfy someone else's expectations you are probably doing it for the wrong reasons. The least regrettable way to live is on your own terms in our own way and for your own cause.”

Steven Bartlett

I never had a great love for houseplants if I’m honest. My earliest memories of plants involve my mother standing on our dining table, hammering nails into the wall to give support to her never ending plant vines.

I did try my luck at the occasional plants but they died on me. When the kids were little I imagined them sitting around a pot, munching on soil and I discouraged myself from ever owning a plant. One day Katy gave me an Eid gift of a purple plant she had grown. She told me how she had long wanted this particular plant, and had ordered corms from a far away land to grow. It was an Oxalis Triangularis. Long delicate stems and deep purple leaves that resembled butterflies with dainty little pink flowers, but it was the dramatic effect of closing its leaves at night that piqued my curiosity.

I then filled my home with reminders of the world we live in. Stunning leaves, textures, patterns, colours but mostly the comforting effect they had on me was life changing. For the first time since moving to the UK, I felt like home, but also, I discovered something unique for my own desire. I would discuss them for ages with Katy. We would compare, propagate, share and search for more unusual plants.

It was only when we both expressed a growing annoyance for the lack of plant shops in West London that our discussions took a different turn.

“How amazing would it be if there was one near us!”

“Imagine all the plants we would be able to have!”

“It’s annoying to order plants online - I wish we could see them beforehand”

“How cool would it be to own a plant shop”

“I’ve always wanted to have a little business of my own”

We both would talk lengths about what we wish we could do. Our individual dreams for the future had a red thread we both related to. We wanted to create, to develop something and we wanted something more! We definitely needed more plants. Then one day, outside our children’s classroom, we asked, why don’t we look into that? Thus, it started.

Our journey began with research into various fields. We looked into how to start a business, went to stalls, pop ups, visited plant shops and found local markets. Oak Road had already caught Katy’s attention, but we were in no position to even consider a full plantshop. However, to see if there was an actual interest for what we had in mind, our first venture in 2019 led us to the Chiswick Carboot Sale. A spray painted paste table, some garden lights, a parasol and a small selection of plants, propagated and bought, accompanied us as we waited in the car queue at 4am. We nearly sold out. I think we both realised that day that it wasn’t only the plants that went well. We were really good together and our customers that day felt it as well.

After Chiswick we had our very first pop up stall outside the wonderful Cafe 51 Eighty in West Ealing. It was November, absolutely freezing (!) but we were met with such wonderful feedback. Around March 2020 when all markets and social gatherings were cancelled due to Covid, we had to figure out what to do with all the plants that took over Katy’s conservatory and my garage. Our online sales took off but what kept us going over the lockdown, was the sheer amount of requests for plant deliveries. The UK houseplant market boomed through lockdowns as everyone wanted a little bit of nature indoors. Through the devastation of Covid we powered through looking for more markets until we stumbled upon In Cahoots, now known as Trash & Treasure Markets. Our first market in Dickens Yard, Ealing, was really when we felt this was going in the right direction. This is what was missing in West London.

As the demands of plants grew and our markets became more frequent, we no longer had the space or will to keep them in our homes. An opportunity paved our way to use the basement of Kanenas Coffee Shop as storage. We initially just thought of it as a pick up location for anyone who bought plants online, but it eventually became our first and Ealing's first plant shop in October 2020. I remember the joy of being called a “hidden gem” because that’s exactly how it felt. We created a little tropical oasis and we were being remembered. November 2020 we were invited to join Chiswick Flower Market as well and we knew we were a vital part of Ealing's emerging small businesses.

We quickly felt we were outgrowing our shop, and the days spent trudging plants in and out for deliveries and markets was really taking a toll. The lockdowns also put a damper on our mood. At times the feeling that our business wasn’t going anywhere, made us insecure. Were we doing the right things? But it is vital to recognise a stepping stone for what it is and not mistake it for the last destination. Success is not an upward spiral, it is a fluctuating graph. Even on your worst of days, there is a massive lesson to learn - Keep Fighting. After several months in the coffee shop, Oak Road caught our attention once more and we thought, ‘let’s go for it’. What’s the worst that will happen; They’ll say ‘no’? Well, they didn’t. They loved everything about ‘greenka’ and here we are a year later, and we have no intention of taking it easy now.

Our journey and particularly this last year has given us an opportunity to join a community we wanted to belong to. We have been blessed with getting to know other small business owners, join in the local business circle and support some amazing charities. For us the most rewarding part is our customers. We enjoy every single plant chat, we love hosting repotting workshops and will look to hold a lot more.

For the next year we welcome Glass Gardens London to host terrarium workshops, we will hold a few of our own going back to repotting and maybe dipping into macrame hangers as well. We will continue to focus on visiting exhibitions, meeting new collaborators and developing our online platform. To own a small business in the financial disarray this country is facing, sometimes feels like a fool's errand. Hearing about many businesses shutting down, there are doubts, fears and questioning ourselves if we are mad, but I believe we will prevail.

Mind you though, reading about this may seem like a breeze and all joy. Between the lines there were many tears, many letdowns, loss, stress and insecurity. We are mothers too. Katy and I have three children each. Battling school run, parental responsibility and looking after a family in general can really make you question your priorities. It’s a real struggle, but one that is also incredibly rewarding when you get it right.

One of the most important lessons of business is to emancipate yourself from the thought of unaccomplishment. You need the “can do, will do” attitude and not be afraid of rejection. It’s only through mistakes and closed doors you learn, grow and set your mind free. It’s a challenge you face both on a personal level and in a business partnership. Trust, faith and support in each other will overcome any obstacle you meet; when you know someone has your back.

I look forward to the coming year. I love it when Katy comes into the shop with the phrase “I’ve been thinking”. Which usually means, ‘Roll up your sleeves, Aysha, it’s about to get messy’. Can’t wait! I would like to thank everyone that has supported us over the years and who continue to support our little shop. By reposting, taking pictures, sharing our content, buying plants or coming in for a chat - we appreciate you. We are here for your plant shaped happiness.

Aysha