Growth & Jobs | Sweet succulents

HAVING OFTEN faced challenges in finding unique gifts for family and friends in the past, Latoya Wright discovered the perfect solution in succulent and cactus plants. Admired for their natural beauty and versatility, they quickly became her go-to choice for their decorative appeal.

It all began in 2018, when she purchased the first succulent plant for herself.

“I started to create arrangements for my desk at the office and with the attraction that came with it, I decided to start a small business,” Wright related.

The positive feedback and growing interest inspired her to establish S.W.E.E.T. by Cheneke, which allows her to share her artistry with a wide clientele. The business name, S.W.E.E.T., which stands for Succulents with Exotic and Elegant Touches, reflects her unique approach to plant design, while Cheneke represents her middle name.

Wright explained that succulent plants are drought-tolerant, featuring thick, fleshy leaves, stems, or roots that store water, allowing them to survive in dry conditions with minimal maintenance.

Supplying a variety of Haworthias succulents and cactuses, S.W.E.E.T. by Cheneke has blossomed into a choice supplier of creative arrangements. It has grown into a flourishing side business, offering customers beautiful and easy-to-care greenery that brightens up any space.

A public sector employee, in the accounting field, Wright, who hails from St Catherine, pointed out that succulents stand out from other potted plants due to their longevity that makes them an excellent choice for gifts and for being used as home and office décor.

“There are several differences with succulents as opposed to potted plants,” she pointed out. “Succulents can withstand longer periods of drought and require only moderate care, making them perfect for individuals who want plants but lack the time for frequent maintenance,” she explained.

For the past six years, Wright has been creating attractive arrangements for all special occasions by closely monitoring social media trends, brainstorming new ideas, and gathering feedback from her network to ensure that customers have an array of creative design options.

S.W.E.E.T. by Cheneke operates entirely online. Wright actively promotes her business using her personal and professional accounts to build awareness and engage with customers to maintain a steady demand for her creations. Customers can browse and place orders via Instagram@ official_s.w.e.e.t.bycheneke; TikTok:@s.w.e.e.t.byCheneke, and on Facebook @SWEETbyCheneke.

Like many entrepreneurs, Wright faced initial hurdles, particularly in mastering the care and arrangement of succulents.

“New endeavours are often hampered by inexperience. I faced many [moments of] trial and error. I took time to learn the proper ways to handle succulents and cactuses. This enabled me to customise each arrangement to suit each customer,” she said.

Through persistence, Wright has honed her skills, ensuring each arrangement meets her high standards of quality and design.

One of the turning points for S.W.E.E.T by Cheneke was securing financing from JN Bank Small Business Loans Division (JNBSBL). This financial support enabled Wright to pre-order inventory for upcoming occasions and expand her business. She related that the loans have been a tremendous help, allowing her to take up opportunities that would otherwise be out of her reach.

“The decor business requires you to be able to pre-order merchandise for upcoming occasions, holidays and everyday gifting. The partnership with JN Bank, enabled my business to grow from my living room to having my creations on office desks, etc. spreading joy and celebration for everyone. I no longer have to wait on special holidays to sell succulents,” she explained.

Wright’s client relation officer at JNBSBL, Melissa Noyan, emphasised that JN Bank is committed to supporting entrepreneurs to achieve profitable business ventures.

“We recognise that micro and small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and we are dedicated to providing the financial resources and guidance to entrepreneurs to succeed,” Noyan said.

“We also understand the challenges entrepreneurs face such as securing start-up capital, expanding operations, or investing in necessary equipment. Against that background, we offer a variety of loan options to support micro and small businesses.”

Noyan also advised that JNBSBL provides loans ranging from $20,000 to $1.5 million to micro businesses which can get further financing of up to $100 million from the Business Banking Unit.

“We urged business owners to explore and take advantage of the available financing solutions to strengthen and grow their operations,” she said.