Today we’d like to introduce you to Rob Moffitt.
Hi Rob, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have been a nurse for the past ten years. I first came out to California from the Midwest as a travel nurse about eight years ago and have been at UCLA ever since working as a RN. About five years ago, I was going through a really difficult time in life, I turned to plants and gardening which became my therapy and a way for me to escape from what was going on. A good friend of mine Felix who owns a plant store noticed my newfound passion and asked if I wanted to come help out in his plant & design store, The Juicy Leaf. I started helping him with different projects on my days off from the hospital. After some time, he encouraged me to pursue my passion as a career.
At the beginning of the pandemic and dealing with the stress of the hospital and everything else going on in the world, I decided now was the time to focus on what I wanted to do, open a plant store. With the pandemic changing the way people were shopping and brick and mortar shops shutting down, I decided to open up a mobile greenhouse/plant truck. I started working with a company that builds food trucks and with the help of a graphic designer came up with The Haus Plant Truck. I have been open for just over two months now and have loved being in this new industry and meeting so many new people while sharing my passion. The plant truck has allowed me to go to different neighborhoods throughout LA and meet so many different people who just happen to stumble upon my truck. A lot of people who come to the truck are first-time plant parents, which is always exciting to send them home with the knowledge and instructions they need to be successful. I have been partnering with other local small business owners and doing different events. I hope to continue being out in my LA community, building relationships, meeting new people and share this passion that can be such a therapeutic hobby when we could all use just that.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There are times when I wonder to myself – what am I doing? and if I have gotten in over my head. Starting a business has been stressful at times and so much more expensive than I expected. There are a lot of things you can never predict and both financially and logistically. Also, trying to balance my schedule between the hospital and the plant truck has been difficult at times.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
The Haus Plant truck was my way to get into this industry. I have always felt that deep down, I was more of an artist than a nurse. I love being creative and I plan to do more plant design and projects alongside the plant truck, whether it be large unique arrangements, interior plant styling or consulting on a living wall or other unique projects.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was always outdoors, I loved to be creative whether it was painting or helping my mom with her art projects.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehausplant/
