Today we’d like to introduce you to Sheridan Covington.
Hi Sheridan, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I currently own and operate two businesses. Both of these dreams came to fruition once I got laid off almost a year ago in October of 2021. I was also dealing with major health issues at the time so it made this transition even tougher. That period felt like the worst thing to ever happen to me, but in hindsight, getting laid off was the best thing to ever happen to me. Only then did I have the time, mental energy, and creative flow to create both of my businesses. I had been interested in photography since I was 17 but decided to major in writing/film & t.v in Art School and I didn’t buy a professional camera until 2019. 2020 is when I created my photography business, Shot by Sher. At the beginning of the year, I promised myself I would create my website and Instagram — I put it on my vision board and everything. Then I went on a trip to Australia in January 2020 and committed to capturing everything I could. But I still wasn’t sure what I even really wanted to shoot or who my market was, that was the toughest part. I reached out to all the photographers I knew and one of my best friends is a photographer, among many talents, she helped me tremendously with guidance and technical things that weren’t as easy for me to pick up. So I started shooting everywhere I went and everyone I knew. Once I was able to sit down, rest my mind and body, and really think, I was able to pinpoint what kind of photographer I was. Once I started asking for help and reaching out to folks, all the help I needed came my way and opportunities for photography experience and gigs began to come my way.
My other business is a plant business, Poison Ivy’s Apothecary. What’s crazy is I didn’t even get into houseplants until Halloween of 2020, when someone bought me a succulent as a gift. Unfortunately, the plant I was gifted died a slow, painful death because I did no research, just vibes. After this event, I really wanted to figure out the error of my ways and found a local plant shop in my neighborhood. I started buying plants like crazy and my interest and intrigue grew. I was listening to podcasts, watching youtube, and reading up on houseplants. I joined plant twitter and found a whole community of nerdy plant folks online, I even built a stronger relationship with my Aunties once I realized they were into plants. I was buying anything and everything that looked pretty for a while, then I mellowed out. But I truly had found something that brought me joy. Friends kept suggesting I start selling cuttings on Etsy and at first, I was skeptical b/c I didn’t want to make something that brought me so much joy about money — money brings pressure and I didn’t want any more of that in my life. But once I sat down and thought about it, I realized I could start a business around houseplants, I just needed to do it on my terms and make it work for me. That’s when I decided to start a blog with free information on plant care, resources, and funny stories. The blog then turned into a online plant shop and now my shop includes houseplants, burning herbs, and herbal tea! I started working on the blog in January this year and released my blog along with my shop on May 1. I’d always wanted to get into herbalism and then this summer I found a local source for herbs and was able to add herbs to my shop.
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?
If owning a business was easy, everyone would own one. This has been one of the toughest journeys I’ve ever been on, but it has been well worth it. As a Black woman with little resources who started both of these businesses on my own, this road feels especially tough sometimes. But the reward is so worth it. I am also so so blessed because I have a partner who is the most loving and supportive and I’m surrounded by so much love and support from my family and close friends. The immense amount of support I have received and my own drive is what keep me going when it all feels like too much. The beginning of starting anything new is always tough! Finding my market for Shot by Sher and Instagram have been hell. As much as I’m an extravert, I low-key – high-key hate social media. Sometimes Instagram just feels so ingenuine, but still knowing it’s necessary has been a challenge. Marketing myself in person isn’t tough for me, but online to an audience I don’t know and feeling like I’m being judged or my Instagram isn’t good enough compared to other photographers has been rough. I think a lot of folks struggle with this new social media age, it’s just not talked about. Figuring out what to post, how to post it, getting engagement, and turning that engagement to a monetary value can sometimes be overwhelming. And sometimes when I get overwhelmed, I freeze and post nothing, but I am working through it.
Starting Poison Ivy’s Apothecary was extremely rough in the beginning. There were many late nights because every aspect from the product pictures to my website, to drying out herbs, growing and keeping houseplants healthy, to packaging, to pricing, and promoting — I did myself with the help of my partner when he was able to. Some of those nights were grueling and I just wanted to give up, but the idea that I was in the process of building something for myself and my family, the possibility of generational wealth — that was just too beautiful of a possibility to give up. Now that my online store and social media are up and running, finding a physical place to sell my products like a flea market or farmers market has been a challenge. But I was able to book my first flea market — Silverlake Flea — earlier this month. It was 104 degrees that day but getting out there for the first time and making sales was a huge win for me.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Shot by Sher is my photography business, I specialize in events, product & lifestyle, and creative shoots using natural outdoor lighting. My photography style is heavily influenced by the vibrance of hyperrealism in the way that it commands the viewer’s attention — my style is honest and vulnerable with my sharp eye for composition and instinct for anticipating the “moment.” The delight of catching that magical moment in a natural lighting environment is what inspires me the most. My market is entrepreneurs, small business owners, and artists. I’m known for my ability to make joy tangible through my lens and make my subject feel seen — this is what sets me apart from others. I can also count on one hand how many Black women photographers I know. I’m most proud of my last two shoots. The most recent was a small business owner who needed to rebrand and revamp her website, we were on location at a Farmer’s market as she’s a nutritionist. The shoot before that was an intimate workshop in Marina Del Rey, I photographed eight entrepreneurs for their business’ and brands.
Poison Ivy’s Apothecary is my plant and herb business. Because I love houseplants so much, I want everyone to be able to experience that joy. Houseplants should be accessible to everyone everywhere and credible knowledge should be accessible as well. I also want Black & Brown women to know that we belong in the houseplant community and horticulture space, too. Visibility matters. I sell home-grown houseplants, locally sourced herbs and provide a plethora of services! My offerings include houseplants, plant care tips, knowledge, stories & lessons, remedies, laughs, and a variety of plant-themed merchandise & services. My plant business is unique because all houseplants that I sell, I grew (from propagations) and cared for myself! My potted houseplants are in soil from a Black woman who makes premium soil specifically curated to the needs of each houseplant. And all of my plants are grown and sold with lots and lots of love + attention.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson is to trust the process. As a highly spiritual person, I have to remember to trust Source. Sometimes sh*t gets really really real and all we can see is what’s right in front of us. It’s easy to panic and default back to old ways of thinking and feeling like you gotta hustle like you always have for everything to be alright. But this journey and this season has really taught me to trust! Trust myself, trust that my Ancestors got me, and trust my ability. The Universe recently reminded me that when you plant seeds and water them don’t forget to have patience for those seeds to grow. Because hunyyyyyy those seeds will grow!
The other most important lesson I learned is contracts, contracts, contracts. I learned about contracts the hard way but it was a necessary lesson. I encourage all artists, specifically photographers to make sure you have all of your professional ducks in a row as far as paperwork. It protects both parties and will add a level of professionalism that will set you apart.
Pricing:
- Herbal tea for $8
- Monstera cuttings for $20
- Sage and lavender set for $13
- Book FREE 10 min photography consultation
Contact Info:
- Website: shotbysher.com/poisonivysapothecary.shop
- Instagram: @shotbysher, @poisonivysapothecary
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shotbysher/, https://www.facebook.com/poisonivysapothecary/
Image Credits
– Queen – Shot by Sher – Kathia
