Today we’d like to introduce you to Agatha Isabel.
Hi Agatha, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am a community-based, plant-loving individual who has had a diverse journey, starting from Brooklyn from LA (via DC) and exploring various career paths in politics, marketing, and tech. Amidst it all, I discovered a deep connection with nature through my ever-growing plant collection. Being an immigrant, coming to the US as an only child, and learning English as a second language, I developed a passion for community-building, with plants becoming the perfect intersection for my personal growth.
Nature and plants have always held a special place in my heart, but it was around a decade ago, after moving to the East Coast, that I witnessed a remarkable transformation in my life. From starting with a few succulents for a touch of greenery, it evolved into a therapeutic journey that helped me through challenging times like career-related stress and the pandemic. As I work towards my goal of ending generational trauma and building generational wealth, I draw inspiration from nature and use plants as a way to give back to the community.
In Brooklyn, I started Planting for Progress, a community-sourced project that raised money for local non-profits. Together, this and my shop, aptly named “Plant Ma Shop”, created a thriving plant community. With nature as my muse, I write, create, and travel to tropical locations as a creative outlet to balance my professional tech and privacy career. I can usually be found volunteering with local nonprofits like Surfrider or Habitat for Humanity, exploring new nature (and foraging) spots, or vibing at a concert. I am currently based in Southern California – between Huntington Beach, The Valley, and the West side.
Nature continued to be a lifeline and a way for me to express myself when I moved back to Southern California last year. After the end of a long-term relationship, a career change, and miraculously trading in high rent for a mortgage, I turned back to plants as a form of self-care. This turned into manifesting and getting a book deal. I channeled myself into – “Houseplant Hookups: All the Dirt You Need to Find the Perfect Match” – A humorous book about houseplants as dating profiles (two things I know very well) with an underlying tie-in to the community this hobby cultivates.
Currently, I am working towards balance and sustained happiness. A successful career in privacy, owning multiple homes so I can support my mom in retiring, balancing my small businesses, being a writer, and continuing my volunteer work.
Longer form here: https://agathaisabel.com/
https://repeller.com/best-
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Ha, my favorite ice cream is a rocky road.
I fought with myself for a long time about what success meant to me. It took me 25 years to overcome past trauma, and another five years to turning 30 to be at peace with my upbringing which was different from most around me. I struggled with letting interjections from conflicting cultures get the best of me. I stopped myself from being “creative” because I believed I would not be able to be successful or support myself off of “creativity” alone. Little did I know, my creativity in balancing my passions would be the most important thing I’d create yet.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My professional background spans non-profits, data-driven advertising, marketing, information security, and data privacy. I currently work in tech privacy for emerging innovations and business applications of law. Despite my varied career, people know me for my houseplants and involvement in the houseplant community. During the pandemic, I contributed to social causes by selling cuttings of my rare plants through “Planting for Progress.” This accidental journey into “plantfluencing” led me to establish “Plant Ma Shop” and actively host community events such as plant swaps and workshops.
I’m excited to share that my book, “Houseplant Hookups: All the Dirt You Need to Find the Perfect Match,” will be published this fall. A tongue-in-cheek humorous book turning plants into dating profiles to teach people about different types of love… with a few innuendos here and there.
What sets me apart from others is my unique perspective and the drive that comes from my personal experiences. As a female immigrant Filipino-American, I haven’t seen many people like me in the careers or industries I’ve worked in. The frustration of not knowing how to navigate my career and creative urges only held me back, so I’ve used it as fuel to propel myself and others like me forward. I have a superpower combining sublimation and creativity, which has allowed me to transform challenges into opportunities. I channel this into a strong desire to end generational trauma and create generational wealth, not just for myself but for others with similar experiences and upbringings.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Growing up I was training to be a professional figure skater. Alongside figure skating, I also indulged in various forms of dance such as ballet, tap, rhythmic gymnastics, hip-hop, and jazz. However, when I reached high school, I made the difficult decision to give up dancing and the creative side of me to focus on learning about “business.” It was a choice I regretted as I realized how much I missed the world of creativity and how badly I needed an outlet. I have since allowed myself to be creative again, and it has transformed my life in amazing ways.
I recently experienced a significant accident while traveling in Costa Rica. I broke my femur in several places, along with other injuries on my left leg and hands. It’s been a challenging time for me, re-learning to walk while trying to launch my first book. Despite the challenges, I consider myself both lucky and unlucky, as this period of introspection has been transformative for me and filled with gratitude.
Pricing:
-
You can find Agatha’s book, “Houseplant Hookups,” available for $17.99 on Amazon, Bookshop.org and in local bookstores and plant shops. Wholesale pricing is also available via plantma@agathaisabel.com. Join the houseplant community and catch her on via her book tour across LA and the OC this fall. Events are below and on her agathaisabel.com
-
$17.99 for that first book baybay!! Available at Amazon, Bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble and your local bookstore or plant shop. Wholesale pricing is also available. https://www.amazon.com/
Houseplant-Hookups-Dirt- Perfect-Match/dp/1423663462/ ref=sr_1_1?crid=2K2EF9PHLGRXR& keywords=houseplant+hookups& qid=1681837580&sprefix= houseplant+hookups%2Caps% 2C104&sr=8-1 -
https://www.barnesandnoble.
com/w/houseplant-hookups- agatha-isabel/1143359760
-
Contact Info:
She continues to thrive as a tech privacy professional, plant enthusiast, writer, and community advocate. For more information about Agatha and her work, you can visit her website at www.agathaisabel.com, or connect with her on Instagram (@agathatisabel) and LinkedIn.
- Website: www.agathaisabel.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/
agathatisabel/ - Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/
agathaisabel/ - Other: What about threads?! @agathatisabel
Image Credits
Labeled “Rachel Pics” > Rachel Beth Anderson Labeled “Megan/Meg” > MEGANELYSEPHOTO.COM
