While running The Honest Platter (my first successful business), I followed another passion and brought Plant Fest to life – an indoor plant festival created to connect plant lovers and vendors in a vibrant, community-first setting. It was the first event of its kind, and soon after, similar events started to pop up in Auckland, Hamilton, and Christchurch.
Event Organisation:
Large-Scale Execution
I managed every element of the sold-out shows – from venue logistics and hiring a full event team, to security, vendor coordination, and creating an experience that was buzzing with life. It wasn’t just about plants – it was about atmosphere, discovery, and bringing a passionate community together.
Event Growth
The very first Plant Fest welcomed 500 attendees. By the second event, demand had skyrocketed – we sold 2,000 tickets overnight before the event was cancelled due to COVID restrictions. Pivoting quickly, I reimagined the next event to meet gathering limitations, and we sold 2,500 tickets in just two days.
Exit Strategy
After several successful events, I sold Plant Fest to another owner. It was a decision made with gratitude, knowing I was passing on a much-loved, thriving event with a strong brand and loyal audience.
Final Thoughts
Running Plant Fest taught me how to scale a grassroots idea into something truly impactful. I learned to:
Adapt quickly to challenges (hello, COVID!)
Lead teams and manage big-picture logistics
Create memorable, well-run events that people want to return to
Stay creative and aligned with community needs
I had an absolute blast running Plant Fest. It gave me invaluable insight into what it takes to launch, grow, and lead an event with heart. Now, I bring those same skills – adaptability, clarity, creativity, and care – to every event I work on.
Whether you’re building something from scratch or looking to elevate an existing event, I’d love to help create something people won’t stop talking about.