“Since I was a toddler, I watched my grandmother plant seeds, grow plants, and propagate them. It never really stuck until recently,” said Ciara Vance.
She and her grandmother, Mary Binder, started talking about opening a plant shop. It was a leap of faith for them, but at the end of September, Earthly Seeds & Plants opened at 5520 Forrest Road, Ste. B in Columbus.
The former site of a clothing store became a place to buy plants. It was perfect timing as the outdoor growing season ends and indoor planting takes precedent.
“I am so happy I decided to take on this venture. I have learned to love what my grandmother taught me. I love dirt under my fingernails. Plants have become my babies,” said Vance.
She credits her former boss, Rick Stallings, President of Safeguard Business Services, for her business ability. Vance worked there for six years and described him as an amazing boss.
“We were disappointed when Ciara left us because she was great at tackling complex issues. We are proud of her most recent success and happy that we might have contributed in some way,” said Stallings.
Success might also have a green thumb. Less than two months after opening Earthly Seeds & Plants, Vance has already expanded by renting the space next door.
“Our Pastor Mike Powell at Asbury United Methodist Church is also in the real estate business. He let us know the space next to ours was available for rent. We jumped on it.”
Perhaps it was divine intervention because it allowed space for plants from her grandmother’s three greenhouses. Now the business displays 100’s of plants. The shop also offers two unique services for fellow plant lovers.
“We are offering plant care and tips, a free repotting service for plants that have outgrown their containers and a free plant hospital to nurse a sickly plant back to health,” explained Vance.
For businesses that would be considered the ultimate in customer service for Ciara’s family, it is a way to give back.
As Small Business Saturday approaches on November 29, Earthly Seeds & Plants will offer some special pricing and continue their normal drawing on the last Saturday of every month, a plant giveaway.
Their shop is open Monday from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm and Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 am until 6:00 pm. You can follow them on Facebook here or call (762) 583-5614.
It is only the beginning for Ciara and her family, which extends from Kansas to Florida.
“We want to expand into other cities and states. We want to grow like a healthy plant.”
