Botanicals Takes Root

August 28, 2020

Maternity leave brought a whole new outlook for Karri Montean.

“I was a new mom and my priorities had shifted,” says the young entrepreneur. “I knew I wanted to be my own boss.”

Her keen desire to start her own business lead her to seeking out current trends on Pinterest. She couldn’t help but notice the popularity of easy-to-care-houseplants and succulents.

“I turned to the Internet and started researching everything I could about growing plants in my basement and turning it into a viable home-based business,” said Montean. “I was determined to fill a niche in the market while doing something that would exercise my desire to create.”

Botanicals was born a few months later. Working from home, Montean offered custom terrariums, flower arrangements, DIY kits and public and private workshops.

She started as an online shop, offering delivery or pick-up to her customers. Slowing adding more services and products to the mix of offerings, Montean was booked solid for private events and was seeking assistance from her partner to fulfill her online orders.

“Within a year and a half, I had outgrown my basement and knew I wanted to expand my business to a brick and mortar shop,” said Montean. “I spent a year or more searching for the perfect location and then COVID hit. It bumped the opening date but the demand for plants and products was still there.”

The excitement for Botanicals new location was evident on opening day. Montean and her newly hired staff member worked tirelessly for three weeks setting up the new shop that also features handcrafted shelves from local company, Revolution Builders, and an exterior custom sign built by, Industrial Theory.  

“People were lined up before we opened our doors until after hours,” says Montean. “This community has been so great to me and my shop since day one, it’s incredible that I get to do what I love in this great city.”

Botanicals is located at 555, 2nd Street SE in Medicine Hat, Alberta and can be found online at www.botanicalsmh.com.