I wrote this back in January.

When I started this endeavor I had a lot of ideas. I was enrolled in the Horticulture certificate program at UCLA but by working with another gardener I felt I wouldn't be able to really be able to do the work without a lot more training. So many things could go wrong, and the last thing I'd want to be responsible for is someone getting hurt. It evolved into terrariums and floral arrangements. The terrariums (which I love still) did not sell. I tried different things. I sold at flea markets and craft fairs, different local shops I love like Memento Mori (amazing curiosities and goth/new wave gifts), Taza Echo Park (tiny but wonderful woman owned coffee shop) and Kaleidoscope Kollective (a collective of female led businesses) who I still sell wreaths through. Spent a couple of Sundays at Melrose Trading Post as well. I made small arrangements and dropped them off at different places with my business card. I didn't get any customers, but it did bring people to my website. I taught classes. All of these were wonderful and positive experiences, except I didn't make any money. You learn from trying. However it seems social media, word of mouth and befriending event planners seem to be what's generating the most business.

During the two week holiday break I've been doing a lot of reading about business and marketing. Setting goals for 2017. I'm going to have to do so much more to get myself out there, and it is a weak point for sure. While admittedly self absorbed, I'm not good about self promotion. But I have tasted the freedom of working for myself and I'm not ready to give it up. So I plan to:
Create more blog posts
Socialize more with industry professionals
Take more classes
Advertise more

I'm looking forward to paying myself and doing some good in the world. For starters I donate leftover scraps to be used as packing materials for Josh Skincare. In return I get products which is great. But I'd like to be able to do more to help people who need it. I have some ideas, and when the time comes I'll share them.

My first prototypes of epiphyte hanging gardens were beautiful failures. I find all this eucalyptus bark on my strolls through Elysian Park and it's just so lovely. Not for other plants to coexist with apparently. The tannins killed the orchids. I did some research and found that cork is great, and is easy to work with. However it's not easy to find and I do plan to experiment with other types of wood.

I'm learning about which plants and treasures do well in terrariums. Conditions are too moist for some things, like dried graffiti roses. While the mold initially looked pretty, it wasn't going to last.

But this is what it's all about. Trying things, failing, and improving upon ideas.

Learning