Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sean Ade, owner of Roosevelt's Terrariums, located in Portland, OR, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Roosevelt's Terrariums is a boutique plant store in Portland, OR, specializing in closed system terrariums. We essentially create self-sustaining tropical rainforests in artisan glass! What that means is they get watered once a quarter to once a year, depending on which terrarium you choose! Our customers are anyone that loves plants! From the green thumb expert that has a full house of plants and wants to add something unique to their collection to the black thumb planter who can't seem to keep a plant alive, a terrarium is a great option because it takes care of itself!

Tell us about yourself

I got started at Roosevelt's because I am an avid plant lover that had over 80 house plants before taking over as the owner of Roosevelt's. The store had been around for about six years. It was going to be closing in 2020 due to COVID and an older owner who was uncomfortable keeping the store open. When he announced his closure, I called and asked to buy the store to try and save it and keep it open during the pandemic. My favorite part of the store is hearing people as they walk in and walk out, whispering to themselves or their friends how cool and magical the store is. I love watching students plant terrariums for the first time to see what they make, and I love hearing people finally believe they found a way to keep plants in their houses without killing them.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment is building an amazing team that allowed us to keep the store open during 2020 and 2021 during all the lockdowns. We are an experience-based store, and what set's us apart is our classes, which were a big challenge during the height of the pandemic. My team was incredibly persistent and kept finding ways to keep us afloat, and if not for them, Roosevelt's certainly wouldn't be open today! I cannot thank my employees enough!

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Most recently, it has been supply chain issues. It is a daily struggle trying to find where we will get plants, glass, charcoal...basically, everything we need is in short supply.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Figure out what you wouldn't mind doing 80, 90, or even 100 hours a week, seven days a week, because that is what it will take to get your business started.
  2. Find a mentor that has business experience, they do not need industry experience, but it will be very helpful to partner with someone that has owned and operated a business before to help guide you through the first year of ownership.
  3. Do not try to do everything on your own. Find a team that connects with you and give them responsibilities. There are only a handful of things we can all do really well, so find out what that is for you and hire people that are great at the things you're not.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.rooseveltspdx.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rooseveltspdx/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.