We had the good fortune of connecting with Leah Cretella Joseph Adiletta and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Leah Cretella, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
We were inspired to start Maricopa Botanicals from our passion for creating beautiful, plant-filled spaces and our desire to foster a sense of community through southwestern decor and eclectic plants. Decorating our own home with lush plants brought us immense joy, and we saw an opportunity to extend that happiness to our neighbors in Tempe and the surrounding Phoenix metro. We wanted to create a space where people could come together to explore unique and diverse plants, share ideas, and receive personalized advice on enhancing their homes. By combining our love for plants with our desire to enrich the homes and lives of our community, Maricopa Botanicals was born as a haven for plant enthusiasts and home decorators in the Tempe area.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
At Maricopa Botanicals, we take pride in being more than just a plant store. Beyond our carefully curated selection of plants, we offer an array of handcrafted plant pots and Southwest decor items made in our workshop. Our shop also features a diverse range of products from talented local Arizona makers, celebrating the creativity and craftsmanship of our community. Additionally, we are committed to sustainability with our eco-friendly refillery, which provides a variety of locally-made products designed to reduce single-use items and promote a greener lifestyle.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Morning hike at Piestewa Peak, coffee and breakfast at Lux in Phoenix, go plant shopping at Maricopa Botanicals, eat dinner at Wilderness in downtown Phoenix end the night with Desert Botanical Garden for sunset and late night beer at George & Dragon.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
We want to give a heartfelt shoutout to the Roosevelt Arts District for their incredible support and inspiration. They have created an approachable and welcoming space that has been pivotal for businesses just starting out. Their dedication to fostering a collaborative and creative environment has provided us with the perfect platform to grow Maricopa Botanicals. By offering a nurturing space where emerging entrepreneurs can connect, learn, and thrive, the Roosevelt Arts District has been a cornerstone of our journey. We’re deeply grateful for their role in helping us turn our vision into reality and for their ongoing commitment to supporting new businesses in the community.

Website: https://www.maricopabotanicals.com/

Instagram: @maricopa.botanicals

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/maricopa-botanicals-tempe

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