What are you working on?

The Plant Hotel is the first phase in creating a creative, inclusive, accessible, sustainable and safe space for people living on Ngunnawal country (Canberra). With the goal of becoming a fully viable full time business, The Plant Hotel aims to reshape the plant care away from serving simply aesthetic purposes, and including conversations sustainability, mental health and accessibility. Through customized plant care services including plant maintenance, repotting services, plant sitting services and plant consultations, we aim to up skill our clients on plant care so plants become a dynamic and positive part of peoples lives. Our philosophy is to create an accessible and inclusive online and in-person space for people to freely ask questions, share their struggles and joys with plants and learn how we can love our plants so they show us love back.

The longer-term goal for The Plant Hotel is to eventually establish a physical shopfront in the city, that will function a small walk-in floristry (because flowers seem to make everyone happy) and eventually a members owner co-op space that can hopefully serve as a designated space for people who do not typically have designated safe spaces in the city, such as the trans, SWER, queer and disabled community as well as the BIPOC community. It is important it is in a central location, as I feel this is something that is especially lacking. I recognize I cannot designate safe spaces for people, though I hope to create a environment that feels safe and loving to people who are marginalized.

Why is innovation important to you?

It sparks creativity and joy in me. Innovation also connects people together and in a society that tries to separate and isolate, that is a special and powerful tool.

What drives you to make a difference?

Stories. Sharing experiences is one of the most powerful things that drives me.

Do you have any advice for getting more women into the innovation ecosystem?

To stand in your power, however that manifests.

What are you proud of right now?

My whole business!

I’m excited about the long-term goal and proud of the fact I am 21 and already know where I want The Plant Hotel to be in 5 years and am actively putting it out there. I am so happy that I have chosen to be creative in marketing and setting up The Plant Hotel and am also proud of my values and the fact I have stuck to them throughout this whole process.