I don’t know about you, but in our home, we love plants & succulents, but not everyone has a green thumb. If you’re one of those people, or if you’re looking for the perfect gift, then Amy’s Plantscaping is the one for you. With her love, knowledge, and creativity with plants, Amy Schiller has excelled in this industry offering everything from maintaining indoor tropical spaces to succulent arrangement sales, and a few other goodies in between. I’m excited to introduce you to Amy as she talks about her blooming business…
~Rhonda Lavoie REALTOR® /Mortgage Associate
Describe your business: Amy Schiller has proudly owned and operated Amy’s Plantscaping for over 5 years as a home-based business in Saskatoon. We offer a few areas of expertise including consulting/designing and maintaining indoor tropical spaces including residential and commercial. In the Spring and Summer months, we offer retail tropical plant & succulent arrangement sales. The newest arm of the business includes custom-framed mossart, a unique new artform using preserved natural mosses. There is no retail storefront, pickups occur from the home address.
What drives you to do what you do? What motivates you? I have been driven by the entrepreneurial spirit for many years and enjoy the flexibility and control of a small business.
What has surprised you most when owning your own business? The customers are continually supportive and kind and often curious: I often feel like an on-call plant doctor.
What was it like when you first started? Starting a small business is a constant work in progress, and I enjoyed tackling each area mostly on my own, from webpages and social media to creating products that would be unique in the marketplace.
What is something people don’t know about your business? They often say to be successful, one has to find a niche market. I actually have two: plantscaping and mossart.
What would your customers say they love most about doing business with you? I strive to stay authentic and not outgrow the small business mentality. Each customer counts and we try to make the purchase process as easy as possible.
What are some odd requests you’ve had from clients? Once a customer wanted a bath mat made of moss. Pinterest ideas are not always practical and one has to be honest in conveying that, while saying no to some projects.
How do you motivate and encourage yourself or staff? Positivity goes a long way. I don’t wallow in the negative for long, learn from it and move on! Kindness and encouragement are staples in the team environment.
What are your greatest challenges? There are so many areas of life that need proper and constant attention. Having enough time to spend with family, maintain proper health and fitness, and continuing education are top of the list.
What is something most people don’t know about you? I am a master gardener and have completed the Prairie Horticulture Certification with the University of Saskatchewan. As well, I co-owned a restaurant a few years ago.
What do you love most about your town/city? Saskatoon is still small enough to allow for unique niche markets that in other larger centers are watered down with competition.
Why do you think it is important for people to support local? It is the ultimate priority to shop local, pandemic or not. Local businesses are our friends and neighbours, plus it nourishes the soul to spend money wisely and with intention.
What are your favorite restaurants? My favourite restaurants include Prairie Sun Brewery, the (late) Samurai, and The Berry Barn. To be very honest, we eat at home 98% of the time so it’s a rare treat to venture out in the culinary scene, mainly to save money!
What are your favorite things to do locally? In Saskatoon, my favourite things include biking and walking by the river, and supporting local as much as possible.
Amy Schiller
Amy’s Plantscaping
Phone: 306-261-8444
Email: amysplantscaping@gmail.com
Website: http://www.amysplantscaping.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amysplantscaping/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amysplantscaping/
