The Shifting of Gears - Part 18

10-2-25

It’s been a minute since I continued writing the S&O story. Where it sat, I just didn’t think there was going to be much more to it. Until now.

In part 17, I wrote this sentence: “I have hopes and plans and dreams of where S&O will take me... but in reality, it’s where am I gonna take S&O?”

And that’s where I left it. Not having any clue where it would go or where I would take it. But now, looking back I do think that S&O made the decision for me of how these gears were gonna shift.

Early this year, I reached out to a local plant shop. And after some back and forth with trying to figure out how to work with me as a vendor in their store, wholesale was talked about. And I thought maybe wholesale was the way to go with them. I really really really wanted to be in this store. Like, really really. So I stayed up one night till 1 am working on a wholesale catalog just for them. So maybe, just maybe, I’d get my foot in the door. After multiple emails over a couple weeks, they decided that “now” just wasn’t the time as they were developing their business and it just wasn’t the right time. I spent hours working on getting in there. Hours on that catalog. For nothing.

It seriously broke me. I was in tears. I mean, I’m a pretty tough gal, but man, that one got me. Why you ask? Why such a baby? I am horrible at putting myself out there and pounding the pavement - as they say. I’m a good sales person, but I’m not good at actually drumming it up. Or promoting myself for that matter. I had put myself out there with them, contacted, showed up to intro myself and take samples and all that. I was sweating. It was hard. It was just a big ball of anxiety and fear for me. But I did it. And I worked so hard to make it work that the rejection turned me back.

At that time, I really didn’t want to do wholesale anyway. I just didn’t think it was the right thing for me. I didn’t know how it would work. I didn’t have that confidence. Maybe none of this was for me.... but but but….. So I took a break. Tabled that catalog and focused on the current situations with the stores I was in and just stepped back. I remember the day of feeling the rejection. My husband called on his way home from work like he does every single day. And when it was brought up, I just lost it. And yeah, I know it’s stupid, but man, rejection is a beast.

But… now I had the beginnings of that catalog even though it sat for months.

Late spring, I made a change at Quinton’s Crafthouse in my hometown, where I had a little shelf. Suzie, the owner and a dear friend of mine, kept poking at me to put plants in my space. Then she poked at me to move and expand …and and and …. I caved.

I made shelves, I got brackets, I found plants, I made new things, I invested, and I set that space up to focus primarily on my Planty Line products. And a few cats and Bigfoot of course!!!

And I watched that space become the talk of the store! Everyone loved it! And my first month of the change went so well! So with the focus there on the Planty Line, I began working on that catalog a little more. And more. And then one day I stumbled upon a new little plant shop near me called PlantEm. And after some research I decided to throw myself out there again. Sigh. Ugh. And around the same time, I ran into another vendor at Quinton’s, Bailey from Macrame Mouse, who wanted to take some of my product to a big plant show in GA. Of course I agreed and also, in conversation, I told her I was working to develop the wholesale side so I sent her the catalog.

While in Georgia, she sold 3/4 of the materials I sent with her, and then gave out all my business cards and even emailed some business owners my wholesale catalog. She was just planting seeds for me!! It was magical!!

After reaching out to the little shop, PlantEm, I went there to drop some samples and intoduce myself. And sweet Emily, the owner, gave me the warmest welcome! Phwew!! She was a breath of fresh air for me and gave me some much needed confidence! (Thanks Emily🫶)

Within days, The Sagebrush Shack in PA reached out to me. She had gotten my info from Bailey.

And all the sudden over night not only was I restocking inventory for SoCal Soul. But I had two wholesale orders to fill!!! And that sent me down the path of really working the wholesale side.

I started a little sales book with a Hello Kitty notebook, and began using FB algorithms in my favor to find the perfect shops. I researched stores on their social media and websites and began writing them down in my book. Then I started contacting 3 businesses a week. And before I knew it, I found my way to Hickory Hill Plants in Springfield, MO, Alive on 66 in Springfield, IL, Jynks Greenhouse in New Jersey, and The Plant Dealer in Iowa, and hopefully, before long, you'll find me in more states and more stores!!

I’m in 5 states now!! 😮

Now seeing movement, I created a map to highlight the states my product is now in. So far those 5 are highlighted! But my goal is 15.

So, wish me luck as I continue working my wholesale Planty Line and branching out!!! Spreading these roots! Turning a new leaf! And simply growing!!!!

I am excited!!

And to the cute little shop who wasn’t ready for me, thank you from the bottom of my heart!!! If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have sent myself down this path. And now I see a future that I never saw before.

-AJ