Today we’d like to introduce you to Lindsey Thompson.
Hi Lindsey , thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
The brand Ruby Flora originally started as a houseplant blog when my daughter was born. I had a career in marketing and after having my daughter, Ruby, I never returned to my 9-5. It was something I could do that utilized my skills while also staying home with her as a newborn. I started buying ugly, dying/sad plants at big box stores and rehabbing them, then selling them online. Once I realized people were showing up at my house from all over to buy my plants, that became the real start of Ruby Flora. It clicked: plants were the thing that fueled me, fulfilled me, and connected me to others. So I bought an outdoor greenhouse to store my growing inventory. When I started selling out almost weekly, I knew something special was taking shape. I registered my business and started a local Facebook group called Pittsburgh Plant Buy-Sell-Trade. I started making connections with plant wholesalers and reselling from my backyard greenhouse. I started selling out of my greenhouse weekly so I realized I might be ready for a small storefront. I found a very cozy place next to a bakery in town and made the leap to a brick-and-mortar location. I began networking heavily in my facebook group to advertise my new shop to gain traction. After 2 years of marketing myself from the ground up, it was time for me to move into a larger space. What began in a cozy 800 sq. ft. shop has bloomed into a thriving 3,000 sq. ft. plant store in Bethel Park, PA. Today, Ruby Flora typically carries 300–350 plants in stock, with fresh restocks and new arrivals nearly every week.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Smooth?! Absolutely not. Ruby Flora has grown alongside my daughter, which means I’ve been building a business while raising a child. There wasn’t a season where life paused so I could become an entrepreneur. I figured out inventory between nap times, answered emails after bedtime, and made some of the biggest business decisions of my life while balancing motherhood. What I’ve learned is that I thrive under pressure. I thrive in the unknown. And I’ve become comfortable with the fact that I’ll probably never feel completely ready for the next big step. That’s become one of my greatest strengths. Growth doesn’t wait until you’re comfortable, and neither have I. Every milestone Ruby Flora has reached was built from the ground up. There were no shortcuts or overnight success stories. It came from showing up every day, building genuine relationships, relentless marketing, networking, and earning the trust of this community one customer at a time. That’s why this business means so much to me. It’s not just something I own, it’s something I built with my own hands and heart. The thing that carried me through every uncertain season was believing in myself more than I believed in my doubts. I knew what I wanted, and I trusted that I’d find a way to get there.
We’ve been impressed with Ruby Flora Plant Shop, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Ruby Flora was built to be so much more than a place to buy plants. We’ve created a space where people can be themselves, slow down, get inspired, and leave feeling more connected to nature. We’re known for offering unique, healthy, statement-making plants, but what truly sets us apart is the experience. Whether someone is a first-time plant parent or an experienced collector, we meet them where they are with approachable education, honest advice, and a genuine passion for helping them succeed. We believe plants shouldn’t feel intimidating, they should bring joy.
Over the years, we’ve expanded far beyond retail. We design and maintain plants for businesses, create custom installations, host hands-on workshops and community events, offer repotting and plant care services, and have built a DIY Plant Bar where people can create something that’s uniquely their own. Everything we do is centered around making plants accessible, fun, and meaningful.
What I’m most proud of is the brand I’ve built. Ruby Flora has become a destination people drive a few hours to! Not just because of what we sell, but because of how we make them feel. We’ve grown almost entirely through authentic relationships, word-of-mouth, and a community that genuinely believes in Ruby Flora.
At the end of the day, we don’t just sell plants. We create experiences, spark confidence, and help people bring more life into their homes, workplaces, and everyday routines. That’s what Ruby Flora has always been about.
What’s next?
We’re incredibly excited about what’s next for Ruby Flora. As Ruby Flora continue to grow, the vision has always been bigger than a traditional plant shop. We’re currently working toward the next evolution of Ruby Flora, a larger space that gives us the opportunity to create even more experiences for our community. The next chapter includes an expanded plant shop, a much larger DIY Plant Bar, a cozy coffee bar where people can relax among the greenery, and a rentable event space designed for workshops, celebrations, private gatherings, and creative collaborations. Our goal is to create a place people want to spend time in, not just shop. Whether someone stops in for a coffee, builds a terrarium, hosts a baby shower, attends Plant Bingo, or simply wanders around, we want Ruby Flora to be a destination that brings people together.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rubyflora.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rubyfloraplantshop/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RubysFlora/
