Leena Pettigrew, a 44-year-old IT analyst from Houston, has turned her love for houseplants into a lucrative side hustle, bringing in over $148,600 annually—all from her garage.
What started as a simple hobby to redecorate her home has grown into a thriving business, proving that you don’t need prior business experience to succeed.
Pettigrew’s journey began in 2022 when she started buying plants to spruce up her living space. Soon, her home was overflowing with greenery, including towering eight-foot Monstera plants.
Faced with a house full of plants, she decided to sell some and discovered Palmstreet, an online marketplace for plants, crystals, and home decor.
After joining Palmstreet in June 2023, Pettigrew quickly found her niche. She now dedicates about 20 hours a week to sourcing, growing, packaging, and selling various plants, including rare species like variegated micans, Anthurium luxurians, and Philodendron Ring of Fires.
According to documents reviewed by CNBC Make It, her hard work has paid off, with nearly $148,600 in revenue generated in just one year.
Pettigrew’s success is largely driven by her twice-weekly livestream sessions on Palmstreet, where she auctions off around 100 plants each time.
Despite her initial nerves and shyness on camera, Pettigrew has developed a strong connection with her customers, often joined by her husband, Marquise, who adds a playful dynamic to their streams.
“I still get nervous and sometimes take a shot of bourbon beforehand,” Pettigrew admits.
But her authenticity and enthusiasm have made her a favorite among buyers. Now, Marquise has been able to significantly reduce his hours at the auto shop they co-own, focusing instead on supporting the plant business alongside five contract employees.
While Pettigrew’s plant-selling venture is profitable and rewarding, it’s not without challenges. Running a business from home means work is always within reach, making it difficult to disconnect.
To combat this, Pettigrew and her husband make a point to take weekend trips around Texas to recharge and reconnect.
Pettigrew believes her side hustle is replicable but emphasizes that it requires dedication, especially in a competitive marketplace like Palmstreet.
“You have to stand out,” she says. “Good customer service and having unique plants can help, but I think personality makes the biggest difference.”
For those looking to turn a hobby into a side hustle, Pettigrew’s story is a testament to the power of passion, hard work, and a little bit of creativity.
