Invest in Us!

We want to build stronger community, create more jobs, and GROW, so we're raising funds through small business bonds on @thesmbx marketplace. They start as low as $10 and investors will receive monthly payments at 11.5% interest over a 5 year period.

Invest

Learn More

Paraíso Plant Studio is a people-centered house plant nursery and Berkeley’s largest house plant destination. With a focus on community they strive to inspire hope and joy through our intentionally inclusive and education-based plant space.

Our Story

When I started my business in 2018, I had been struggling with postpartum depression for 2 years. Gardening and plants had been key to my recovery, and I wanted to share this powerful tool with others. I began by selling plants and what I called “plant chandeliers,” one-of-a-kind hanging plant holders and terrariums from antique chandeliers and lighting fixtures, at local markets and festivals. I started with a $300 investment and within one year I was able to open our first brick and mortar store. By 2021, we had generated $1M in revenue, and secured our first long-term lease in one of the most highly sought-after shopping destinations in the Bay Area, in Berkeley’s Fourth Street shopping district. Since then, through Covid and drastic changes in socio-economic conditions, we have created stability for our business and our team.

Today, we are a highly regarded houseplant nursery. Both my background in Interior Design and Community Organizing shape our business model. We are values-forward, community builders, and culture creators who embrace change. Through our passion for house plants, we create community by forming deep and earnest relationships with our customers. We focus on meeting customers where they are in their plant journey and providing accessible plant care education so that they are successful at caring for their plants. Resulting in an incredible returning customer rate and help people who think they are plant killers become plant people.

Read less

Our Business Plan

We have obtained a lease 2 doors down from us that is almost 3x the size of our current space. This will increase our street visibility, inventory and customer capacity, and allow us to combine our floral business with our growing workshop and plant jobs. Estimating scaling our business by double our revenue and diversifying into other areas for additional growth opportunities. It will also help us create more fail-safes and pivot plans to maintain stability in the event of an economic downturn.

Use of Funds

We will use the funds raised for working capital for a new location expansion, labor, and inventory.

$235,000 (94.0%) - Working capital- expansion to new location, labor, and inventory
$15,000 (6.0%) - SMBX Funding Success Fee

Invest

Fern Care

Though ferns are known as shade plants, indoors, ferns need really bright filtered light to grow well. They use a lot of water and need adequate light in their environment to help them look their best without browning or crisping. Many varieties also benefit greatly from high humidity.

Light:

Bright, but indirect light
Can tolerate bright medium light conditions such as in front of an unobstructed northern or eastern window

Water:

Likes to stay consistently moist
Water 2x a week or more depending on environment

Humidity:

Humidity is a must; even if the soil is moist, they can crisp up due to lack of humidity
Spray daily or keep on a wet pebble tray to create humidity

Soil Type:

A blend of peat moss, coco coir, or sphagnum for moisture retention, sand or gravel for drainage, and potting soil
1/3 potting soil, 1/3 peat moss or coco coir, 1/3 equal parts sand, gravel, charcoal

Toxicity Level:

Most are non-toxic to animals

Additional Information:

Maidenhair variety needs frequent watering; water 3 times a week
Great in bathrooms with filtered light.

Shop the story