Meet Jessie Laux, owner of Planthropy

My name is Jessie Laux. I am a new NAWBO member! I have had the opportunity to attend a few Women, Wisdom and Wine events. These events have been invaluable for networking and meeting some awesome, passionate, fun and hard working women. NAWBO has been an amazing resource for not just my business, but me personally!  

Tell us about your business.

I launched Planthropy about 3 years ago. When I launched, I had a vision of filling homes and offices with plant arrangements that would help reduce stress, brighten a room and cultivate joy. The plants we work with are low-maintenance and hard to kill, which helps our customers feel confident about caring for them. What I didn’t realize when I launched, is that I was introducing biophilic design into these spaces. Biophilia is the urge for humans to affiliate with other life. You can think about it as our natural attraction to nature, and a biological need for contact with the natural world. Think about how you feel if you are taking a walk, hiking, if a breeze is blowing through a room, or the feeling you get when sunlight beams through a window, etc. Biophilic design improves both physiological and psychological health, which is especially important as people are spending an average of 90% of the day indoors! Recently, Planthropy has expanded our services offering Interior Plantscaping, providing complete plant solutions, moss walls and living walls for residential and commercial spaces.

What inspired you to get into your business?

I’m a nature lover and an outdoor junkie. I grew up spending all my time outside and although that hasn’t changed much, I always loved having plants indoors. I liked the idea of having living things that you could nurture and care for. I also loved that plants, unlike flowers, can last years when cared for properly. Growing up, my mom had several house plants, including one gigantic fern that was over 10 years old. It didn’t mean much to me at the time, but when I think about it, it’s so astounding and beautiful. When I started researching and learning about the positive impact that plants have on your well-being, it made so much sense – I wanted to share it with everyone!

What are your three best practices or best tips that every NAWBO member needs to hear?

I recently changed my morning routine so I wasn’t waking up feeling overwhelmed. When I get out of bed, I avoid checking my phone or my computer. I stretch, have a glass of water, then while I’m having my morning coffee, I dive into emails, notifications on my phone, etc. It stops the chaos first thing in the morning, which makes me feel like I have more control over the day. Taking these few extra minutes to go through this routine helps set the tone for my day. Take time for yourself. This is something we all KNOW we need to do, but it always seems to be the last priority on our list. At least 3 times a week, I schedule time on my calendar – wherever it fits for either a run or a workout. This is MY time. I don’t check my mail, I stay off of social, I completely disconnect. It’s okay to say “No”. I’m still working on this one, but I’m trying! Sometimes we feel guilty or bad for saying no to whatever it may be, but deep down we know it’s not a good idea, or there isn’t enough time, or there are higher priorities, etc.

What does your future look like?

My future looks….green and full of life! I look forward to educating people about the benefits of plants and bringing biophilic design to Columbus.

In the last five years, what new belief, behavior or habit has most improved your life?

Intuition is everything. I’ve learned to trust my decision making the past few years. You know your body better than anyone. When your gut is telling you something, listen!

What do you do in your free time?

In my free time, I love hiking, planting, running, camping and trying DIY projects I find from Pinterest.

What is your company website?

www.planthropy.co