Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Baker
Hi Emily, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My story began in 2006 when I moved in a tiny, old farmhouse that my boyfriend had remodeled. This “lil Red House” was located on a broad open hill with no trees, plants of any kind. My future husband and I began planting trees, and other kinds of plants at our one-acre spot, house, Because of its location being in the broad open meant plenty of sun, and harsh wind. Therefore, through trial and error we found out that cactus and different types of succulents could withstand our harsh Texas climate which was very interesting to us and began our journey down the “cactus trail”. Over the years we began collecting different kinds of cacti/succulents before we knew it our front porch was filled with amazing specimens from all around the world. Being that some of these “plants” were not endemic to where we live, we found ourselves overwhelmed with taking care of all these amazing plants. Through the years every nook and craney was filled with a spiney cactus or delicate succulent they had even found their way into, now my husband’s small barn. My husband seeing how much I enjoyed growing, propagating and caring for these plants recommended that I turn it into a business. So, I took the idea and ran with it. Thats why he and I built our seventy by thirty greenhouse and “EmSucculentHole” was born.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Fast forward a few years and imagine walking into a big clear plastic covered greenhouse filled with plants that you’ve never heard of much less even seen. Thats what EmSucculentHole had become. It sounds awesome and it is but not without challenges. Anywhere from keeping the greenhouse cool to warm, air ventilation, pest control…have I mentioned that I HATE mealybugs?! It definitely has been a great learning experience. Don’t let me forget to mention that now I am a mother of three wonderful girls, who fortunately were born with green thumbs to.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
While I was so caught up in doing what I love; propagating, watering and caring for all these plants, Have I told you that I absolutely HATE mealybugs?! LOL. I realized one day, or should I say my husband reminded me that this is a business, where’s the income LOL? I got to work on that ASAP, created an Etsy account and began shipping my bareroot cacti/succulents all over the U.S… seriously, from California to Florida and was quite surprised of the states in the North that purchased my plants. I ship my bareroot plants all over and also offer my recommendations/help. Once that got going, which didn’t take long, I began attending Farmers Markets, Fair on the Squares all kind of different events. Now, through the years my return customers know that I’ll be on this certain lil corner where the sun and shade is just perfect for my plants. My customers, at first, have become friends, plant people just like me.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Through all the people I meet, some I’ve only met once, to the ones I’ve known for years all see the passion I have for my plants. Did I mention yet that I HATE mealybugs?! My friends and customers are truly, surprised at the knowledge this country girl knows about succulents from the Karoo in Africa to the Atacama Desert in Chile. So, if you’re on the hunt for conversation and plants look no further than EmSucculentHole. I love plants.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/EmSucculentHole
- Instagram: @emsucculenthole
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