Meet Kandie Gonzalez | Crafty Latina with a Green Thumb

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

Hi Kandie, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Well, coming from a restaurant background since I was 15yrs old. It has always been very hard to understand the statement, “work/life balance!” Although most of my managerial experience with top restaurants stood by that, they never ever showed it working me 45-55 hours a week. Then Covid came,

That’s when I decided to go into business for myself. like most. Working when I wanted to. Working around my kids schedules. Even taking them to work with me.

A was a perfect of a work life balance for me, lol

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.
Funny that you asked. I started very small with my vision only selling succulent arrangements. Then I got into selling house plants. A while after I got a bit creative. With in a year. I started to make disco ball planter by hand. Football planters. And my favorite. The Homegirl Planter collection. I surpassed my creativity with the Homegirl planters. It wasn’t so hard. I just looked in the mirror. I started with a Sassy girl, then a Cholita. Followed by a Hippie & now a Barbie. They are the dopest planters that could be used for dry flowers, make up brushes & or a plant. I use to make them with a mold. But it took way to long. So I support another to make life easier. They come plain as Jane. Then I do the magic. Still, almost 3 years later I get to hear everyone say. These are Firme’. The Homegirl Collection is definitely something that sets me apart from most.
I new I was here for a purpose. Not only to spread mental awareness & good vibes through plants. But to educate all new plant people. I am in no way in the business of selling anything to anyone who is not really interested. You can even ask all the friends (aka guest, clients) I’ve made on my journey. It is absolutely so full filling when a friend comes and tell me the plant they bought a year ago is still alive. I get so happy. That means another plant baby adoption went successful.
It was really tough in the beginning. Not knowing where to go to get product. TBH, not many other plant business were nice. I came across 1 or 2 that were willing to share information to help me succeed. Shout out to Good PLant Vibes Covina & Plants By Yours Truly HB. My responce to the nonsense was, There is enough for all.

I do want to note. The worse part of my experience was during Adrians kickback a few years ago in Huntington Beach when they looted through our stands. Literally everything I had for my business was taken away from me in an instance. HOWEVER, since HB was where I started my business. The community pulled together in the most thougtful way to help myself & others recover to start all over again. I truly love Huntington Beach

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Ugh, sadly with my daughter in ballet 5 days a week. The other in vocal lessons. Me, working my regular job at a school district during the week and pop ups on the weekends. I would tell my homegirls. Sorry, but you can visit me at my office at the Pier on Huntington Beach. LOL It’s kinda really all I do, Is work. However, when it’s Lunar season. I always tell my family and friend to come out to the festivals I do hosted by Panana Events that host Chines New Year Festivals in Cities of Eastvale, Rancho Cucamonga, Riverside and Rancho Mirage. They are the most fun filled free events.
Or to come see me at any Farmers markets I do in Newport Beach, Costa Mesa or the most poppin one on Main St in Huntington Beach Surf City Nights.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
To Be Honest. This whole business is all to the Glory of God. In a time of my life when I struggled. I had prayed for a door to open. With the support of my husband Frank, my kids and my best friend Caradi. They all helped me with my vision & my message. God was able to help me see that if I remained faithful, I would be able to spread the gospel & awareness for mental health which plants, playing with dirt & talking to them help soooo much.

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