Meet Veronica Leon

 

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Veronica Leon a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Veronica, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I found my purpose by following a lifelong dream of owning my own business. From a young age, I was always coming up with business ideas—like making and selling candles at age 10 and selling handmade jewelry from South America in my 20s. I’ve always been an entrepreneur at heart, knowing I wanted to have my own business and help people, though I wasn’t sure what form that would take.
Seven years ago, I earned my master’s in Digital Marketing abroad. One of the first things I added to my room was three cacti and an English Ivy plant. I had no clue how to care for them, but they made me feel at home, reminding me of my grandmother, who always had plants around the house.
When I returned to the States and started applying for jobs, I realized nothing sparked joy. It was then that I began thinking seriously about starting my own business. I looked around my house to find what brought me joy, and plants immediately came to mind. I thought of the plant babies I left behind in Barcelona and the pothos I had at home. At that time, I didn’t know their names or specific care requirements—I just watered them when they looked droopy.
In school, they teach you that your business idea needs to solve a problem, so I started researching the problems plants can solve. I discovered that plants have numerous benefits for mental health and well-being. That’s when the idea for Verde Tribe was born. I dove into learning about different plant species and their care, growing my collection from three plants to 130. This experience allowed me to teach others the do’s and don’ts of plant care.
What started as a pop-up plant shop quickly became a passion as I realized how much others loved plants too. Helping people pick the right plant and guiding them through the care process filled me with joy. People enjoyed learning from me, and soon, they began asking me to come to their homes for help with all of their plants. This led to the start of my in-person, virtual consultations and workshops. None of this felt like work, and that’s when I knew I had found my purpose—helping people through plants.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about your business?

Verde Tribe is a five-year-old venture that started as a pop-up plant shop and has now grown into a thriving virtual plant consulting business, helping hundreds of plant parents along the way. We’re proud to have earned 5-star reviews on Google from nearly 200 satisfied clients.

What I find most exciting about Verde Tribe is the unique, customizable service we offer. Whether you’re looking for advice on how to care for your current plant babies or need help selecting the right plants for your space, everything starts with a virtual consultation.

During our session, you can show me your plants for personalized care tips, and we’ll discuss everything from watering routines and lighting to fertilizing, pest management, repotting, and any other questions you may have. I’m passionate about helping others on their plant journey, and I’d love to assist you in any way I can.

In addition to plant care advice, I also provide plant styling services, where I recommend plants that would thrive in each of your rooms, taking into account lighting and maintenance needs. You’ll receive a list of different plants to choose from for each space.

If you’re interested in getting started, you can reach out: https://www.verdetribe.com/serviceform
I also offer workshops, and you can register for the next virtual class on September 18th here: https://www.skillpop.com/classes/8084

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Reflecting on my journey, three qualities have been particularly impactful:

-Problem Solving: My ability to come up with great solutions for both simple and complex situations has been crucial. Whether it’s navigating challenges in business or finding creative ways to help clients, problem-solving has been at the heart of my success.

-Caring for people: I believe in treating people the way I’d like to be treated. Helping others and giving the best of yourself in everything you do, especially in how you interact with clients, creates lasting relationships and fosters trust.

-Dreaming Big: It’s essential to know that you are capable of achieving whatever you set your mind to. Even if you don’t know something, you can learn it. Believing in yourself and having supportive people around you can turn big dreams into reality. Nothing is impossible when you have determination and a strong support system.

Advice for those early in their journey:

-Develop Problem Solving Skills: Practice thinking critically and creatively.

-Genuinely Look for Ways to Help People: Learn to listen actively, empathize, and respond thoughtfully to build strong connections with your clients.

-Cultivate a Big Dream Mindset: Don’t be afraid to aim high. Surround yourself with positivity and people who believe in you. Keep learning, growing, and pushing beyond your comfort zone. Your dreams are within reach when you truly believe in them and yourself.

Tell us what your ideal client would be like?

My ideal client is a plant beginner who wants to enjoy their plants without feeling overwhelmed by care. They’re unsure which plants will thrive in their space or why their plants aren’t thriving. They’re open to expert guidance on watering, lighting, fertilizing, pest control, repotting, and propagation to help their plants thrive. Ultimately, they want to feel confident in their ability to care for their plants.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Diana Mahecha with Bhumi Photography
Mery Ricaurte with Mery Ric Photography

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