Today we’d like to introduce you to Priscilla Saynay.
Hi Priscilla, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
It started in early 2018 when I fell in love with moss where I collected and experimenting on growing them. With my aquatic plants background, I started to build paludariums merging my love for fish and aquatic plants with “land” where I planted other type of moss and plants.
After I built 2 paludariums, I wanted to keep on creating more using much less space, that’s when I starting to make terrariums. At the same time, a friend gifted me a houseplant, which started collection of houseplants.
From there, I just keep creating terrariums and acquiring houseplants. My husband ask me to start selling some of my terrariums because I made so many of them! Through word of mouth that’s the beginning of me selling terrariums
My business ventures started to expand to small plants due to requests from customers and it just kept expanding when I started to do pop-up in various markets around the town.
I jumped at the opportunity when I heard about amazing concept with Railway Heights. The concept is to curate and help small business to grow with providing them a platform to showcase their passion and put their stamp in Houston market.
The timing could not get any more perfect for me. I am suffering a mental health breakdown due to the stress from my fulltime job. and needed to keep creating as part of my therapy process. I was successful at the markets and online shop through Etsy, so a small retail space seemed like the natural next step. I opened my door at Railway Heights on July 31st this year!
It’s been a lot of work but all worth it. I love to meet with people face to face and share my passion for my art and plants. I have met many familiar faces from my markets and new loyal customers. My long term goal is to keep expanding and sharing my passion through my art in living and non-living form. The sky is the limit! I love to push boundaries in my creation and look to create something different and interesting. I am constantly learning, evolving, growing, stretching, expanding and flexing to grow my art and business!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
In this journey, you’ll definitely have some bumps along the way. Juggling my mental health challenge is definitely one of them.
Financing your business is another bump to deal with. I am self sustaining at this time but still need to learn on how to get financing help for a business loan.
Time management could be tricky when you own a business. It is essential to make a time where I can give a self care for myself.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
My shop is known for our collection of terrariums that I created. I also take commission orders for our customers. Beside my terrarium designs, I also make moss art using preserved moss and plants. This form of art will allows people to add nature to the area of their office or home with low to no light where it is impossible to keep living plants, or to add an art form with practically zero maintenance other than occasional dusting. I also teach basic terrarium class and plan to expand my class offerings!
People also look for our wonderful plant collections from regular houseplants to rare and hard to find plants.
We are in business not to only sell our plants but to make sure you choose the right plants for your lifestyle and lighting condition of your home or office. We want to make sure you are happy and success in growing your plants!
I do not want to be just another plant shop. But a shop where you can see, learn and acquired beautiful, unique and healthy plants and other plant art.
What were you like growing up?
I’m an island girl at heart. I was born and raised in Indonesia and migrated to this country a couple of decades ago. My parents always loved plants and animals. I grew up surrounded my plants and animals! From fish, cats, dogs, rabbits and many more unusual and exotic animals.
I am the middle child in the family. We are a close family that is spread out in different countries and yet we still communicate with each other daily! I love my family so much and will not be here without their support and encouragement.
All of my life I loved to create. I love the creative process! My mind constantly sees all kind of possibilities in everything I see.
Contact Info:
- Website: msmosspotter.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/Ms.moss.potter
