Life & Work with Joshua Hite

Hi Joshua, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in Cincinnati Ohio and am a graduate of North Carolina A&T State University. I am a brother, son, uncle, friend, and all-around family man. I am a driven and natural-born go-getter. I have always been one to want to be the light and life within any space I am in. So it’s not really too ironic that my passion for plants is an extension of me! I have always shown love to those around me, and through that I found my purpose in showing others how to increase their self love, positivity, and joy. Now I’m able to do the same through my love of plants!My journey with plants started when I was a young child. My mother has a green thumb, and she taught me how to grow and nurture plants. Through the act of nurturing plants, I adopted the understanding of how plants can improve our mood, health, and overall environment.

During the lockdown, I realized that many people were feeling isolated, bored, or anxious. I wanted to help them by sharing my passion for plants because I experienced those feelings as well, and this was my outlet. I focused on using my social media platforms as a way to connect to others by making content sharing plant recommendations, benefits, and self-care tips while being my authentic self.

As a black man and a lover of plants, I wanted to create my own lane in this space. I want to inspire the next young black boy to follow their dreams no matter what industry; if you have the dream, it is your dream to nurture and make come to fruition. That seed was planted in me for a reason. I realized the moment you don’t allow anything to distract you from that dream is when you will truly feel anchored to your individual success.

With Plant Zaddy™️️, I needed to create a direct way to leave a lasting impact. So, I took it step by step and scaled as much as I could. I started with 1:1 consultations, reporting sessions, classes, and installations. From there, I started selling plants locally and online. Within a year, restaurants in Atlanta began to reach out for plant installations, maintenance, and design projects. I’ve started to expand to designing office buildings, festivals like Invest Fest, and most recently Revolt World created by P Diddy.

I’ve even had the opportunity to use my gift for design and creativity and my green thumb to bring productions to life. You may have heard of The Jason Lee Show, Caresha Please, Drink Champs, and The Great Debate just to name a few!  I am so proud to be able to say this because it motivates me to keep going. With this journey there have been growing pains, but it has been rewarding to see the fruits of my labor. Ultimately, I want how God is blessing me to continue to bless others. Pushing someone else to go run after their dreams!

The launch and rapid expansion of Plant Zaddy within just a year has been incredibly satisfying both personally and professionally. I am grateful for every opportunity that allows me to share my passion and expertise with the world. Through Plant Zaddy, I have been able to combine my love for plants with my background in marketing and sales, creating a valuable service that brings synergy to events.

When I enter a space with my carefully curated plants, I witness the joy and appreciation others have for the ambiance they create. The power of plants is truly remarkable, as they possess a unique energy that enhances any environment. By capturing these moments for brands, I provide value on multiple levels – aesthetically, digitally, and socially.

One thing is for certain plants are an investment, so I want to be of value to my clients on many levels. We all know content is king so why not create a digital showcase! The ability to bring value and co-branded content sets me apart from others in the industry, a true differentiator. Any event I am apart of plants will be a talk of the crowd!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Working in tech sales and consulting for almost ten years, I remember the day I woke up and realized that it did not fulfill me, nor was I able to impact the community around me. Now don’t get me wrong, I excelled in my corporate roles, but also dealt with a level of politics and overall stigmas in the workplace that led me to acknowledge there has to be something more and better for me.

As a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, leadership, and honorable achievement is something instilled on many levels. With every step I take, I keep in mind there’s always someone following in my footsteps. I’ve always excelled in whatever endeavor and have been blessed with opportunities to work in spaces that weren’t historically for me. A trailblazer is what I am! Sometimes, paying the bills just doesn’t feed the soul and Plant Zaddy has provided me the opportunity to create my own space and excel while being a change-maker in this field.

Here’s a valuable lesson I’ve learned through my journey with plants. Sometimes, the key to course correction lies in listening to the plant itself and understanding its needs. It could be as simple as realizing that the plant has outgrown its current pot and is root-bound. By taking the time to repot the plant, loosening its roots, and providing a fresh environment with increased nutrients, we give it the opportunity to thrive and grow. See, this concept can be applied to various aspects of life. Just like plants, we sometimes find ourselves feeling weighed down by certain situations, people, or jobs. In order to truly flourish, we need to intentionally create a new environment and remove ourselves from what no longer serves us. It may require taking a leap of faith, as I did when I followed my passion for plants, design, and fashion. That simple shift in mindset serves as a daily reminder to always be open to change and growth. By recognizing when it’s time to let go and create new opportunities, we can embark on a fresh start and allow ourselves to expand into uncharted spaces.

I see obstacles as opportunities and challenges as a way to stay creative. The biggest missed opportunity for me was not having the proper funding or grants. This did create a void but I had to quickly shift from having security and knowing where my next check was coming from, to making a way on my own — it made me work harder, smarter, faster on the vision within. Plainly said, I didn’t have a lot of access to money to put towards my dream. I planted seeds, watered them and made my dreams into reality. Enhanced my self-discipline and stepped out of my comfort zone in order to fully dedicate myself to my passion. This forced me to lean into the community around me, only to find out they were waiting on me to only present myself. This increased my understanding of how important collaborations and relationships are in the business.

I also had to learn new skills and strategies to market and manage my brand effectively. Every day has different opportunities that come my way, but having a calm mind and a strong team around me makes it easier to work through them. I am thankful for the support and feedback I receive from my family, friends, and followers. They inspire me to keep going and growing. “Plant More, Worry Less.”™️

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
First and foremost, I will say I’m very proud of what I do and what I offer to my customers and community.   I’m enhancing spaces and environments, one client at a time!

I run Plant Zaddy™️ Club, which is your premier one-stop shop for all things plants. I specialize in tropical and exotic plant varieties that can transform any space into a lush green oasis. I also provide interior plant design, plant care seminars, and monthly maintenance services to help you create and maintain your dream green space.

I’m known for being more than just a plant store; I’m a lifestyle brand that celebrates authenticity, diversity, and self-expression through plant care and fashion. I can’t wait to fully launch the unique apparel collection that blends the love of plants with a contemporary flair, allowing you to showcase your green passion in style.

I’m most proud of cultivating a community of plant enthusiasts who share their experiences, insights, and tips with each other. I’ve nurtured an inclusive and supportive environment where people can learn from each other and grow together. I’m also proud of killing the stigmas around men of color in this space. It’s no longer shunned upon to tap into nature, learn patience, nurturing characteristics, and self-care. I want to inspire more men of color to embrace their green side and discover the joys and benefits of plants.

What sets me apart from others is my purpose and mission. I’m not just about selling plants; I’m about making a difference. I promote eco-friendly practices by offering products that enhance and enrich our daily environments. I also advocate for self-care and love, emphasizing the importance of nurturing yourself while tending to your botanical companions.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I believe that God has a plan and a purpose for me and my work. I trust that He will guide me and bless me in everything I do. I also pray and meditate daily, expressing my gratitude and asking for His wisdom and strength.

I also practice manifestation, which is the process of turning my thoughts and desires into reality. I manifest daily by recording my thoughts, journaling, and visualizing my goals and dreams. I also affirm positive statements and speak things into existence.

Another quality or characteristic that I value for my success is having a good support system. I have a network of family, friends, and mentors who support, encourage, and challenge me. They also give me honest feedback and constructive criticism that help me improve and grow.

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