Today we’d like to introduce you to Selina Figueroa.
Hi Selina, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
A little over a year ago, I unexpectedly lost my job in the oil and gas industry. Overnight, the future I had carefully planned felt uncertain. I was anxious, overwhelmed, and struggling to find my footing. For the first time in a long time, I wasn’t busy building a career, chasing goals, or filling my calendar. I was simply trying to figure out what came next.Around that time, my co-founder gifted me a plant. If you knew me back then, you’d know I was never a plant person. Every plant I’d ever been given had met the same unfortunate fate. I was always too busy, too distracted, or simply not interested enough to keep them alive. But this time was different.
For the first time in what felt like forever, I had something I rarely allowed myself to have: time.
Each day, I found myself caring for that plant. Watering it. Checking on it. Watching for new growth. What started as a simple routine slowly became something much more meaningful. In a season of uncertainty, that plant gave me a reason to focus, something to nurture, and a reminder that growth can happen even when it feels like everything else is standing still.
As the weeks passed, the plant began to thrive. And so did my curiosity.
One plant became two. Two became several more. Soon, I was learning about different plant families, their unique characteristics, and the personalities each one seemed to have. What started as a distraction became a passion. I had discovered an entire new world. I talked about plants so often that my partner eventually joked, “You’re going to need to start a business just to support your plant habit.”
So I did just that…and Luxury Verde was born.
Over the past 12 months, my co-founder and I have participated in countless markets, sharing our plants with people throughout our community. What began as a single plant during one of the most difficult chapters of my life has grown into something far bigger than I ever imagined.
The most rewarding part hasn’t been selling plants, it’s been sharing the feeling they gave me. A feeling of hope. A reminder that growth takes time. That even after unexpected setbacks, new beginnings can take root in the most unlikely places.
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?
This business was a new chapter and a new challenge. I feel like I grew alongside the business, which made it a bit of a bumpy road. One of the biggest challenges was realizing just how much we didn’t know. When we first started, we thought we had become pretty knowledgeable plant people. Then we did our first market.
Customers would walk up and ask questions, and suddenly we realized there was an entire world of plant knowledge we hadn’t even considered. It was a humbling experience, but also one of the best learning moments we’ve had.
To make things even more memorable, after all the preparation, setup, and nerves leading up to that first market, we made a grand total of $20. At the time, it felt a little defeating. We looked at each other and wondered if we had completely lost our minds. Now it’s one of our favorite stories to tell. We definitely learned through trial and error.
Looking back, I wouldn’t call it a smooth road, but I would call it a rewarding one. The setbacks, the lessons, and even that first $20 market all played a part in helping Luxury Verde grow into what it is today.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Luxury Verde LLC?
Luxury Verde is a plant company located in the Heart of Houston, Texas. We are known as the “fake plant” people, not because we sell artificial plants but rather because our plants look so great they sometimes get mistaken for not being real. We always take the statement as the biggest compliment and we take pride in our commitment to having healthy plants. In fact it’s in our name. For us, “Luxury” isn’t about exclusivity, it’s about excellence. It’s about refusing to cut corners and taking the time to nurture plants with care, patience, and intention. We wanted to create a business where people didn’t choose us simply because of the plants we carry, but because of the wellness, resilience, and quality behind every plant we sell.
“Verde” means green in Spanish, it honors our Latin roots and the connection plants create within our communities, cultures, and everyday lives. It represents growth, belonging, and the belief that plants should be for everyone.
What sets us apart is our approach. We didn’t grow up as lifelong plant experts, and we think that’s part of our strength. We remember what it felt like to be overwhelmed by plant care advice, so we focus on making plants approachable, enjoyable, and accessible. We love having conversations with customers, answering questions without judgment, and helping people build confidence in their own plant journey.
Every plant goes through a careful three-step, three-week process before it is available for sale. During this time, we monitor its health, complete a thorough insecticidal cleaning, and finish with an organic cleanse, never leaf shine, to ensure each plant is healthy, clean, and ready to thrive.
Brand-wise, what we’re most proud of is the community we’ve built. Through markets and local events, we’ve had the opportunity to meet incredible people and hear stories about how plants have brought comfort, and happiness into their lives. Those conversations remind us why we started.
At the heart of Luxury Verde, we’re not just selling plants…we’re helping people create spaces that feel alive, personal, and full of possibility. If there’s one thing we’d like readers to know, it’s that every plant tells a story. Ours started with a single gifted plant during a difficult season, and we’re grateful every day that we now get to be part of someone else’s story, too
Our plants are currently available at www.luxuryverdehtx.com and inside of Evolve Collective at 14509 Memorial Dr. Houston, TX 77079
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I encourage anyone looking for a mentor to checkout SCORE Houston. I was connected with a mentor during an event at the inception of my business journey and it made a huge difference for how I framed my business, I learned a lot in the process.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.luxuryverdehtx.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luxuryverde
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@luxuryverde
