Today we’d like to introduce you to Shetal Patel
Hi Shetal, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in India and raised in USA. While growing up, my family always gardened. We tried to eat healthy and freshly cooked foods to battle ailments. It has been very handy to learn about plants in depth. Few years back before my FB Group Georgia Plant Trade and Sales started, we learned about landscape issues and how to overcome it with our low budget. Then, I started to learn about houseplants and we traded to accumulate more into my collection from common plants to rare. After that, I was hosting plant events that allowed a casual environment to learn about plants. This became routine weekly events, Georgia Plant Swap + Sale, where we were able to help each other just talk plants and learn from each other all over Georgia as requests came through. It has surely helped to expand my plant knowledge today along with help others do the same. We connected regardless of backgrounds or age or experience levels.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It was a thought that became in fruition over time. It was a struggle finding locations and venues before and after COVID that would allow the group gatherings. Initially, I was supporting existing businesses,but ran into scheduling or reach owners to schedule. Then, I looked into city and county locations which also was challenging due to regulations. I didn’t have equipment, but raised enough of my own sales to gathering equipment if the venue did not provide it. We ran into remote locations who didn’t have the outreach,but learned to market differently. We have a system in place now to make it function on any location or venue.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’ve been a sales executive over time. The careers have evolved over the years in medical, sales, and teaching. Professionally over the last few years, I have had a flexible work environment to be able to care for my medically ill family. It has been a challenge to balance my travel work professionally, but I have learned to be patient and makes sacrifices to work hard. The plant group has helped me a lot to take some stresses out of the ordinary where we step out and talk about plants. This became important as plants and eating at home was a priority during COVID. Challenges faced from everyday people have allowed us to enjoy plants and group events have definitely helped each other cope differently. We have all ages members and most of our events are pet friendly. I always say you start with 1 plant and don’t be afraid to try.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I’ve been lucky to have family support during the setbacks. We have stayed humble during the hardships that we faced. Hard work pays off and staying humble creates relationships along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/georgiaplants
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/georgiaplanttradeandsales/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Georgiaplanttradeandsales
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@georgiaplanttradesales
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/groups/georgiaplanttradeandsales/
Image Credits
The events have been hosted at various local venues and very thankful for the people who come from all over Georgia to spend few hours over plants. Pictured at Mercedes Benz Stadium The HD Backyard, Wild Heaven West End Brewery, Westside Paper Atl, Glover Park Brewery, Eventide, Pratt Pullman Yards, and Variant Brewery to name a few locations.
