Meet Chelsea Thomas | Owner, Plantae Flagstaff

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chelsea Thomas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chelsea, how do you think about risk?
Risk taking is essential in life, in my humble opinion. It’s almost impossible to advance towards a goal, whatever that goal may be, without some risk. Some people approach taking risks timidly, with fear and anxiety about all the many possible outcomes of a given risk situation. Others charge ahead towards risk taking recklessly, without fear of failure. I’d say I am a healthy mix of both of those types. Though I may lean slightly towards the latter.

My first real “risk” in life was moving to Arizona in 1999, I suppose. I was 19. I had taken a seasonal job on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, and was to work there for 3 months before returning to Springfield Illinois, my home town, to finish up my degree. Political science was my major at the time. I had never really traveled as a kid, so hitting the road with a couple buddies for a semi wilderness environment 2000 miles away from home was daunting, to say the least. But the reward for that risk changed the direction of my life forever. On our way to Arizona, we passed through so many amazingly beautiful landscapes that I knew right then I would not be returning to live in the cornfields of Illinois… Ever. And I haven’t.

Over the next several years I spent time working in a few national parks, Glacier, Death Valley, and of course, Grand Canyon, which will always be my favorite place. I spent the greater part of the last 2 decades as an independently contracted backpacking guide at Grand Canyon, taking tourists up and down the rugged trails on multi night trips. Backpacking the Grand Canyon wilderness can be risky all by itself, even without the addition of clients from all over the world who have never been backpacking or camped a night in their lives. But it was all in a days work for myself and my fellow guides. Did it sometimes feel like I was being punished by the physical demands of clients and my body? Sure. But the rewards of being able to work independently and support myself by doing something I loved far outweighed the risks that a particular trip could go South at any time, for any reason.

I have always known that I wanted to work for myself, Im a very independent person. Over the years Ive tried a few ventures. I ran a small grilled cheese kitchen inside some good friends bar for awhile, and became a nutritional therapist with hopes of opening a small practice in Flagstaff. But neither of these things felt like THE thing. The thing I was meant to be doing. Some would call the closing of these businesses a failure. I call it a stepping stone.

When COVID hit and the whole world closed for awhile, including Grand Canyon, I had time to reflect on what I really wanted for my life and from myself. To figure out what I was really GOOD at. And I had time to tend to my plants. I have always been a lover of houseplants and kept several. I started thinking about the lack of places to buy unique houseplants in my town and wondered if there was something I could do to change that. It was risky, starting a business during a global pandemic. I knew that. But I had never felt more inspired to do something, or more supported by my community and the universe. And that’s how Plantae was born. I had zero prior knowledge of how to run a plant shop, or any retail shop for that matter, but I didn’t let that minor detail stop me. I just kept going. Plantae is more than 2 years old now, and we have had many bumps in the road, but we still keep going. I think that is the key to risk taking, not giving up when it gets hard or gets scary. It’s the hard and the scary that can make you and your business a better, stronger person. Running a business successfully involves taking many risks. Some pay off, and some teach you valuable lessons about what NOT to do. But you will never succeed at anything if you don’t at least try. So I will always try.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Plantae was born from a personal passion for houseplants. It started with one jade plant I purchased when I moved into my still current residence almost 18 years ago, and grew to an obsession, with a collection reaching 200+ plants in every corner of the house. When COVID hit and the world closed down, I spent my newly found free time gardening, both indoors and out. I was ready for a change from my 15 year career as a backcountry guide, and started to brainstorm what my next move should be. I knew I was ready to do something that was completely my own creation. And thats how the idea of a houseplant exclusive shop for Flagstaff was created.

I wanted something different than a typical plant nursery. Something beautiful, something unique, and something community oriented. I wanted to bring plants to Flagstaff that people had never seen before, and provide knowledge to help customers grow their plants well. There was only one problem. I had never worked in retail or a nursery before, and I basically had no idea what I was doing. So began the ongoing process of learning to run a shop. And there are SO many things to learn. Plantae started as a nameless pop up shop in front of a friends boutique downtown (shoutout to Miranda and Rainbows End Boutique!). It then turned into a home based business, which operated by appointment only. Plantae, as a brick and mortar, finally opened its doors in March of 2021.

Right away we were overwhelmed with support from the community, which I am so very thankful for. I remember opening day, we were having a huge snowstorm in Flagstaff. Because COVID was still a huge threat, we had to limit the amount of customers inside the shop for safety, and there was still a line around the block for the entire first day. I was so surprised and grateful that there were so many people willing to stand in line in a huge snowstorm, just to see what I had created. And at the end of that first day our shelves were almost barren, A perfect ending to an opening day.

I think the keystone of any good business is its staff. It can take a lot of effort and sometimes a lot of luck to find the right people. We are now 2 years in, and both years we have been voted Flagstaffs best plant nursery in the annual Best of Flag awards. I can 100% say that it is because of our amazing staff. They are devoted, warm and welcoming, always willing to chat plants and plant care with anyone that walks in the door. Customers come through regularly to talk about their plant trials and triumphs and we are always here for it. Plantae wouldn’t exist with its amazing team members. (Shoutout to Sarah, Jess and Quinn!)

Plantae has been filled with learning experiences. Ups and downs, trials and errors. There really is something new to learn everyday. While it hasn’t been easy, it sure has been rewarding. In 2 short years we have doubled the size of the shop, and greatly expanded our offerings. Plantae not only sells healthy, hand selected houseplants, but we also offer just about anything else you would need to care for your plants. Or to show your plant parent pride! We offer plants, pots, potting services, and plant care items, along with many other plant related retail items like jewelry, books, stickers, suncatchers, and so much more. We also feature several locals artists work. Our selection changes weekly so you are sure to find something new and exciting every time you come through. Plantae truly is a one stop shop for all things houseplants.

Plantae has grown to be just what I had imagined in those early days of COVID gardening, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the community of Flagstaff. The continued patronage of locals, tourists and travelers is what makes it all work. Flagstaff has a fierce local loyalty mentality and for that we are forever grateful. Shoutout to Flagstaff plant lovers!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When friends or family visit Flagstaff, there are always a ton of great activities to fill a day. Or a week or a month! A visit to Grand Canyon and a hike or drive in Sedona are a must! One of my favorite places to take people is up to Lees Ferry, River mile zero of Grand Canyon. You can float the 15 mile section of smooth water on the Colorado River from Glen Canyon Dam down to Lees Ferry, a truly magical experience. In summertime you can ride the ski lift at Arizona Snow Bowl up to the top of Agazzis Peak for a panoramic view of all of Northern Arizona, always a visitor favorite! Swing through the Museum of Northern Arizona on your way back to town to learn about the History of a variety of things related to Norther Arizona.

Downtown Flagstaff has a ton of great shops, bars and restaurants to visit. The Old Town Shops in Heritage Square or Rainbows End Boutique are favorites. Our neighbors, Martannes Burrito Palace is a great spot for breakfast, followed by a little plant shopping. You can grab a great sandwich for lunch at Proper Meats and Provisions, followed by a delicious glass of locally made mead at the Drinking Horn Meadery. The Annex Cocktail Lounge is my favorite spot for happy hour, they have delicious food, unique craft cocktails and an amazing patio for lounging, usually with some live, local music. And you can finish off the day at Lowell Observatory, for some stargazing through their giant telescopes.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Shoutout to Miranda Sweet, owner of Rainbows End Boutique in Flagstaff and now a member of our city council. Without her encouragement and the opportunity to hold my first pop up sale at her shop, Plantae might not be where it is today.

I’d also love to recognize the Small Business Development Center, a wonderful, FREE resource for new and seasoned entrepreneurs. The SBDC offers free counseling and mentorship for all stages of business, from planning to growing. If you are unsure about anything business related, they can offer guidance for a variety of things.

And, of course, Plantae wouldn’t have become a reality without the support of my friends, family and the community of Flagstaff. I am proud to be part of such a welcoming, supportive and loyal community.

Website: www.plantaeflagstaff.com

Instagram: instagram.com/plantaeflagstaff

Facebook: facebook.com/plantaeflagstaff