Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Wright.
Hi Melissa, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started Rooted By Wrights in November 2023 in the Sparta, New Jersey area. I’ve always had a love for plants, but as a mom of three boys who were getting closer to all being school-aged, I found myself thinking about what was next for me. I loved being home and raising our family, but I also wanted something that was mine. Something creative, fulfilling, and something I could build on my own terms.
The idea actually came from my oldest son, who was eight at the time. He suggested I start a plant business, and I immediately knew it was something I wanted to pursue. That very weekend, I started putting the pieces together.
Rooted started as a very small houseplant and air plant terrarium business. It quickly evolved into plant workshops, then I added seasonal porch pots, then it evolved into plant therapy, and interior plant design.
One of the things I love most about owning a business like mine is that it can constantly be reimagined and reinvented. I knew from the beginning that no matter where I started, I could take it in whatever direction I wanted. I didn’t need to have the entire future mapped out.
Today, plant therapy has become the heart of Rooted By Wrights. I bring hands-on planting experiences, plant education, and plant care into local nursing homes, recovery centers, and businesses. I also design seasonal porch planters, provide interior plant styling for homes and businesses, and offer ongoing plant maintenance.
One of the things I’m most proud of is how Rooted continues to evolve. My fall 2026 season was fully booked, which was an exciting milestone for me as a small business owner. It’s rewarding to see something that started as a simple idea grow into a business with loyal clients and meaningful relationships.
I’m also making room for something new: writing a book. It’s about the messy, chaotic, and beautiful parts of life—from motherhood and marriage to friendships and starting a business—and how those experiences shape who we become. It’s a different kind of growth than what I share through plants, but it comes from the same place.
I’ve always believed that where you start doesn’t have to be where you stay, and you don’t need to know exactly where you’re headed to try something new. Right now, Rooted By Wrights feels like it’s exactly where it’s meant to be, with room to keep growing. I’m excited to see what comes next. I’m so lucky to have such a supportive husband and our three boys that are always behind me in whatever I do with the business.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned as a small business owner is that not every opportunity is the right opportunity.
When you’re first starting out, it’s easy to feel like you need to say yes to everything. Every event, collaboration, request, or new idea feels like a chance to grow your business, and in the beginning, that’s exciting. But it can also become overwhelming and exhausting.
Over the past couple of years, I’ve learned to be much more intentional about where I put my time and energy. Saying no to opportunities that weren’t the right fit has actually made it easier for me to recognize the ones that are. I’ve become more confident in identifying what aligns with my goals, my brand, and the direction I want my business to go. Sometimes you have to pull back and reevaluate what you’re doing to make room for what’s next.
Another challenge has been learning to put a value on my time. When you’re passionate about what you do, it’s easy to focus on the creative side and overlook everything that goes into running a business behind the scenes. There’s planning, sourcing materials, preparation, communication, travel, and so much more that people don’t always see. Learning to price my services in a way that reflects both my time and experience has been an important part of my growth as a business owner.
Ultimately, I’ve learned that building a successful business isn’t necessarily about doing more. Sometimes it’s about doing less, but doing it better. It’s about trusting your instincts, recognizing your worth, and creating a business that works for you rather than the other way around.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
What makes Rooted By Wrights special to me is that it’s never been just about selling plants. It’s about the experiences, connections, and relationships that come from sharing something I genuinely love.
Plant therapy has become the heart of my business, and it’s probably the work I’m most proud of. I bring hands-on planting experiences into assisted living communities, nursing homes, recovery centers, and businesses. Every group is different, and I put a tremendous amount of thought into planning each session.
Horticulture therapy, aka plant therapy, uses hands-on experiences with plants to help people slow down, connect with nature, and enjoy creating something of their own. It offers a calming, creative outlet, brings people together, and encourages a sense of accomplishment as they plant, care for something and watch it grow.
One of my favorite parts of plant therapy is the creative process behind it. From selecting the plants and pots to choosing decorations and mixing our own custom soil blend, every detail is intentional. I want each session to have a theme, a reason, and a purpose. We’ve created butterfly gardens, planted purple false shamrocks for good luck, “adopted” and planted spider plant babies, divided and shared ivy, and even celebrated Halloween with a playful “Begonias Aren’t Scary” theme. Other sessions allow participants to choose their own houseplants from a variety of options, making the experience more personal.
For me, it’s not simply about putting a plant into a pot. It’s about creating an experience that encourages creativity, engagement, learning, and connection. I want participants to enjoy themselves, learn something new, and leave with a plant they can continue caring for long after our time together.
I bring that same attention to detail to every part of my business. Whether I’m working with a small group in an assisted living community, planning a larger corporate workshop, designing seasonal porch pots, or helping someone bring greenery into their home, or business, I want every project to feel thoughtful and personal.
I also take a lot of pride in the relationships I’ve built with my clients. Building a business where clients return, trust my work, and recommend me to others is something I don’t take for granted.
I think what sets Rooted By Wrights apart is that it’s personal. I’m involved in every part of the process, and I genuinely care about the work I put out into the world. I never want to lose that, no matter how the business continues to grow.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
One of the things I’ve learned about owning a small business is just how much the support of others matters. A recommendation, a shared social media post, a returning client, or someone simply mentioning Rooted By Wrights in a conversation can make such a difference. I’m incredibly grateful for the relationships I’ve built and the people who continue to support what I do. Locally, I’m often referred to as the plant lady and I couldn’t love that more.
I’d love to introduce Rooted to more people who may not realize all that my business offers. Whether it’s designing seasonal porch pots, helping someone choose the right plants for their home or office, providing ongoing plant maintenance, or bringing a hands-on planting experience to a group, there’s so much more to Rooted than just selling plants.
I’d especially love to continue growing my plant therapy programs. Working with assisted living communities, recovery centers, and businesses has become such a meaningful part of what I do, and I’d love to bring those experiences to even more people.
I’m also always open to connecting and collaborating with other small business owners and organizations. I think there’s something really special about supporting one another, sharing ideas, and finding creative ways to work together.
If there’s one thing I’d want people to know, it’s that you don’t need to know anything about plants to reach out to me. Whether you have a specific project in mind or just an idea you’d like to explore, I genuinely enjoy those conversations. Some of my favorite projects have started with someone simply asking, “Do you think we could do this?”
At the end of the day, I’m proud of what I’ve built, grateful for the people who have helped it grow, and always excited to see who I’ll connect with next. Stay rooted!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rootedbywrights.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rootedbywrights?vrfl=MW1vdWZnazd0cndlaw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19su2wwSSc/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissamiserendino?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rootedbywrights?si=EZXJjggBZkw1H2g6
