What's Your Pivot Play? Featuring: Roots to Bloom
We spoke with our friend Benjamin Judah, founder of Roots to Bloom, a mobile plant and art pop-up shop, based in Orlando, Florida, to learn more about how he’s used this unprecedented year as an opportunity to start a new business. This type of grassroots business is exactly what the world needs right now - a business that encourages individuals to shop locally and sustainably, while supporting local artists. We’ve worked with Benjamin for many years on various experiential marketing programs all across North America, so we’re very proud of his new venture.
What was your business/job pre-COVID and how long have you been in operation?
I was employed as a Production Director for a Canadian-based company in the live event and marketing industry for over 23 years managing large-scale installations for large brands in the US and all over the world.
What has been your biggest challenge and what did you do to pivot this year in order to adapt during COVID?
It’s always a challenge for me to be still, to not be busy or to take long breaks. Both in my day-to-day work and in my personal time, I always have a long list of to-do’s.
With that said, I initially took some time to reset when the live event industry started a slowdown and realized I wanted this “reset” to be an alternative sustainable option. In true “Judah” form, I found an opportunity to occupy my time in an outdoor role of work and I decided to dive into developing a new and positive life direction. My idea was to create a mobile Plant and Art popup boutique, thus Roots to Bloom was born. The role combines my skills as a planner, builder and creator with my passions for horticulture and art, bringing it to the masses locally. I strongly believe in the “support local and sustainable” philosophy, which I feel has been resurrected as a result of pandemic throughout the world.
What is your best piece of advice for anyone in business or life who is currently struggling?
Take the ideas that you have, the things that ground you and make you tick, and go for it!
Communicate with peers, get feedback, don't be afraid to share whatever ideas you have and do not be afraid of competition that may be out there.
Use the tools of technology to communicate your dreams in a positive and fulfilling way.
We (the entire world), are experiencing a huge transition, and if you don't take advantage of the time and opportunities you have right now, it’s going to pass you by. The one thing we can never get more of is TIME.
What's been the silver lining or positive lesson you've taken away from this year?
Family. Sustainability. Survival. Reset. Positive outlook. Caring for our fellow humans. Respect. Sharing. Humbling of oneself. Getting to spend more time at home, completion of personal goals and a lot more quality time with my family.
Additionally, the opportunity to get to know more like-minded people locally and to accomplish some lifelong personal achievements.
Who are you looking to work with for the remainder of 2020 and how can people contact you?
I am keeping in contact with industry peers for the long awaited return of the live event industry, but more importantly, pursuing my goals of creating and launching a plant and art boutique in Orlando and connecting with the horticulture and art communities to provide customers with a real homegrown, local experience.
Be sure to give Roots to Bloom a follow on Instagram @rootstobloom_fl for updates on pop-ups and to learn more about their featured artists - if you’re in the Orlando area, watch out for the plant truck popping up in a location near you soon!