Today we’d like to introduce you to Lyuba S.
Lyuba, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Unlike some people, I was not born knowing “what I wanted to be when I grow up”. In fact, I spent many years working at various jobs before I discovered what I loved to do but when I finally did, I turned it into a small business. Here is my story. In 2012, through a series of unexpected events, I landed a job at a really great property management company. This is not a job I planned to have, but I am so grateful for my time working as an assistant property manager because I learned some important life lessons, met incredible people, and ultimately it lead me to discover my passion and career. While at this company, I was eventually put in charge of managing a small property, where I got to take care of six planters. I can still remember how exciting it was to design and shop for flowers at a local greenhouse, plant them back at the property, and see the beautiful result. Though I loved the entire process, creating and designing these planters brought me so much joy and satisfaction because these boutique-styled designs made the entrances look welcoming and cheery. They added a much-needed touch of color to the scene.
Shortly after, at the same company, a regional manager offered me the opportunity for a custom position they created for me. I would be designing and planting seasonal flowers at some of the properties. To this day, I am still so grateful for that opportunity because it was an important part of my journey. I was able to get my hands dirty and learn how the industry works while gaining valuable experience, although I was not yet thinking of turning this passion into my own business.
On a personal note, my husband and I already had two kids, when we found out that we were going to have twins. Our sweet babies arrived in June of 2017, completely changing us as a family. I quit my job and became a stay-at-home mom. A few years later, even though family life was keeping me occupied, I began considering launching my own container gardening business. Although my family was a big priority, I definitely imagined myself running my own business and felt like I had enough confidence to make it happen.
In April of 2019, I decided to set my doubts aside and pursue my dream. Though I was already so busy with being a mom, having the twins actually encouraged me to open my own business. I had the urge to be creative and implement my entrepreneurial personality, and I knew that doing something that I love would allow me to unwind and decompress. So that is how Unique Urban Planters came to be! Designing outdoor seasonal containers for commercial and residential properties around the Twin Cities region is now what we do one season after another.
Today, my husband and I are still surrounded by our four beautiful children and the busyness of family life but in the midst of it all, we are enjoying many aspects of owning a small business. A dear friend joined us in helping with projects and she has been a very important part of our team. We have great clients, who welcome and enjoy each season with newly-planted arrangements on their porch or in front of their business property.
I am blessed to have a job that delivers joy, beauty, and positivity to any environment, and am first and foremost grateful to God, who placed me where I am today. I am very thankful for His provision and care.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
We try to learn from any challenges that come our way. This is how we grow! Although it’s been a smooth road, for the most part, there are some obstacles that come with working in an outdoor setting. The weather in MN is sometimes unstable and we have to be flexible with our planting schedule. In April, we worry about cold nights and in November, we worry about frozen soil. But, this is just part of what our business industry has to face, so some seasons we just work around the weather. So far, we’ve worked on many warm and beautiful sunny days but also made it through rainy, windy, and chilly days. At the end of every workday, we are tired but are very grateful for the opportunity.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At Unique Urban Planters, we specialize in designing outdoor seasonal planters for commercial and residential properties around Twin Cities, MN. Our goal is to always deliver uniqueness while working directly with our clients’ needs and developing lush designs that can be enjoyed throughout each season. During the spring, summer, and fall our designs always include a large variety of colorful flowers and tropical plants, whether they grow in full shade or full sun. During the winter months, we use many seasonal accents, which are always surrounded by a mix of evergreens that last through the many months of winter. Our planter services include designs, purchase, and delivery of plants and accents, delivery of potting soil, seasonal fertilizer, and planter clean-up after each season. You get to choose if you want us to service your planters on-site or have us deliver fresh arrangements to your home or business at the beginning of each season.
For an additional fee, we offer a Summer Maintenance program, where we take care of your planters on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. By offering this program, our goal is to make sure your planters look stunning through the entire summer and the only task you have is to water flowers as needed!
What are your plans for the future?
We hope to continue serving our current and future clients the best way we can. While our main task is to design and install outdoor seasonal containers, we are anticipating expanding this business by offering an indoor planter service. There is so much beauty that can be created even indoors!
We are truly grateful for our clients who continue to support our small business and are looking forward to another great year.
Contact Info:
- Email: urbanplantersllc@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unique.urban.planters/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uniqueurbanplanters
Image Credits
Angelika Lelyukh (Angie Lelyukh Photography)
