Cait Khosla, Botany Box
How did you get started?
I created Botany Box so everyone can easily have & care for their own collection of plants delivered to their doorstep, repotted and ready to give your indoor space that pop of energy and color.
When I moved to NYC back in 2017, the idea for Botany Box really took off. I realized I couldn’t build my own green oasis in my apartment without it costing me an arm and a leg. It was so frustrating going plant shopping and coming home with a $13 succulent, so I decided to get serious about creating a solution to a problem.
Starting this company gave me a little peace, it was like I was in my front yard again with my mom growing the garden as we always did.
How many years have you been in business?
For almost 3 years!
My customer (and my ideal customer) is a woman between 20 - 40 who either has a steady green thumb, or wants to start her green thumb!
She loves gifting, and receiving gifts, and she (may) already have a few plants of her own!
What do you love about your job?
Providing two different boxes at the moment, one is our Original (comes with 4 succulents), and our NEW box is our BB Duo (which comes with 2 succulents). We also just launched enamel pins! The first step in creating merchandise for the brand.
And I just love connecting with people, from all over! Connecting with female founders, other entrepreneurs, people looking to start a business and wants tips and advice, etc. Connecting on IG for my brand is something I spend a good amount of time doing.
Over the course of your career, what would you pick as your greatest failure? Why?
I think one of my greatest failures was being a “Yes woman”. I constantly said yes to things that I couldn’t fulfill or hold up my end of the bargain. It really got me into some stressful situations and I had to learn how to say no, and how to be confident in what I’m doing, and not constantly look to becoming fulfilled by saying yes to every opportunity.
How did you turn it into an opportunity for self-growth and/or success?
Of course hindsight is always 20/20, I look back at those moments and realize without them I wouldn’t have been able to grow into more of who I am now, and my own self was holding me back from other opportunities.
Why do you think failure is so important?
I think it’s crucial to succeed. Without knowing what doesn’t work, you’ll never know what DOES work.
What wisdom would you like to provide others currently experiencing failure?
You’ll get out of this alive, that I promise. Failing is so important to experience and grow from, and without it, you’ll never really experience trial/error. It’s like being surrounded by people who constantly sing your praise - it becomes toxic after a while.
What’s your favorite word of encouragement?
One of my favorite quotes, which also has to do with plants (of course) is: “Sometimes it may feel like you’ve been buried. Perhaps, you’ve been planted - Bloom”. Love that quote.
How do you pick yourself back up again after failure? Any specific habits or tricks?
I look for words of encouragement for myself, I journal and self reflect, I call my mom, my brother, anyone who can help bring me back down to center.
It also helps me realize that I’m not the only one who’s done this, and that everything is truly ‘fixable’.
What’s the best way to embrace failure?
Hitting it head on, not being afraid that something might not work, or you might disappoint someone.
Embracing failure to its fullest potential, is the best way to get out of the tunnel.
Website: Botanybox.co
Instagram: @botanybox
My name is Kirsten Böhme and I’m the VP of Digital for UWIB NYC, marrying my two great passions of storytelling and social media.
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