Today we’d like to introduce you to Joselyn Burton.
Hi Joselyn, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I have been a nature loving girl all of my life and indoor plants fell into my life at a time when I needed the distraction from planning a wedding, graduating college, and the transition into a corporate job. I graduated and worked as an interior designer for an architecture company and although I loved the job/ career, I always knew I wanted to have my own business/ run a shop. In late 2020 after my son was born, life goals changed. I knew I did not want to be away from him for 11 hours a day at work, so I resigned from my job and became a stay a home mom. My new position as a stay at home mom really allowed me the proper time to think about my goal of owning a business. Starting an interior plant boutique was the best of both worlds, my love for nature and the love for a well-designed interior. The goal was always a brick and mortar location but at the time (August of 2021), that seemed like an extremely large commitment without knowing if such a store would be needed here in Kingwood. The idea to have a mobile store seemed like the best option. A store that I could design and create an experience for every person that walked inside.
Ms. Dottie (our trailer) was purchased in September of 2021 and was renovated by my dad and I, just in time for our first ever event on October of 2021. Dottie had lots of events in just the first couple of month and had many returning customers. This gave me the confidence to say that I could now open a brick and mortar knowing I could make it work and in no better place than the place my family calls home. Kingwood needed a specialty store for plants, a fun, small and friendly place to get plants, get information and good conversation all about plants and designing with plants. So, in March of 2022, Dote On opened its brick and mortar!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Nothing ever worth having is a smooth road. Dote On has had lots of bumps, from leaks on Dottie to getting our truck broken into. Finding a location for our brick and mortar took lots of time and effort and once renovations started the unexpected quickly became a normal occurrence. Aside from the business lessons, working with live products isn’t always the easiest. Plants have needs and every plant is different. Environmental changes affect grows on plants and the pest that can sometimes infest our plants. These challenges are something that will never go away and in order to grow we must learn to accept and overcome.
We’ve been impressed with Dote On, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Dote On is a small interior plant boutique that specializes in tropical plants and supplies that have been hand selected. The plants are cared for by individuals that know about plants and the needs that each plant requires. We are known for the health of our plants and the one on one experience you receive when you come into the shop or take a walk through Ms.Dottie. We are always available to answer questions and help with your plant needs. The store offers planting services, classes and will soon be offering commercial installation and care of interior tropical plants.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My favorite childhood memory was spending some quality time with my parents as we worked on our landscape. They would mostly work while I constantly ran away from bees. Till this day I will run away with no shame.
Contact Info:
- Email: hello@shopdoteon.com
- Website: shopdoteon.com
- Instagram: @shopdoteon
- Facebook: @shopdoteon
Image Credits
Ruben Serrano
