Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Hamlett.
Hi Courtney, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Walking through plant nurseries during stressful times in mortgage lending was my original escape—it opened my eyes, awakened my senses, and sparked a whole new passion. Leveraging my background in art and styling, I started out by painting custom pots and selling succulents, officially launching Get Potted Raleigh in May 2019.What began as a hobby quickly outgrew my living room as I immersed myself in learning everything I could about tropical plants. Today, my collection features around 600 varieties, specializing in uniquely textured and vibrant species like Piper, Dioscorea, Labisia, Ardisia, and Philodendron, as well as carnivorous plants like Venus Flytraps, Sarracenia, and Nepenthes.
Over time, my business expanded from local markets and online platforms to selling over 1,000 plants via live online shows and auctions. Beyond selling plants, I’ve translated my design background into plant styling and ongoing maintenance services, helping residential and commercial clients curate and care for thriving green spaces tailored to their aesthetic.
While online sales have taken off, I missed connecting with people face-to-face. To bring back that community feel, I’ve returned to local pop-ups—and will be at Plantmania at the Raleigh Fairgrounds on April 24th and 25th! It is a great time to meet local collectors, share care tips for delicate species, or help beginners pick their first statement piece.
As a reminder, you are never left alone in the plant world: Get Potted Raleigh is always available for local maintenance, potting parties, live Q&As, and ongoing support. Looking ahead, I’m excited to organize plant-focused travel events and invite anyone interested to connect with me. All this information and more can be found on social media @getpottedraleigh.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Scaling a plant business from a passion project into a full-scale operation definitely came with a learning curve. Early on, the biggest challenge was mastering the delicate balance of caring for over 600 rare and finicky tropical varieties—managing precise humidity, pest prevention, and soil mixes for species that don’t tolerate mistakes.
Moving into high-volume online sales added another layer of complexity. Learning how to package delicate, living specimens so they could safely survive unpredictable shipping conditions across the country required a lot of trial and error. Transitioning from online streams back into in-person pop-ups also meant tackling logistical hurdles, from transporting massive inventories without damaging leaves to managing inventory across multiple platforms. Every obstacle, though, has made me a more knowledgeable grower and a stronger business owner.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Art-Driven Design Perspective: Coming from a background in fine art and interior styling, plants aren’t just inventory to us—they are dynamic decor. We specialize in selecting and styling species based on unique textures, colors, and structural forms that elevate home and commercial spaces.
End-to-End Plant Support: Unlike traditional plant shops, we don’t just hand over a plant and send you on your way. We offer ongoing maintenance, custom plant styling, potting parties, and live Q&A support so clients never feel left on their own in their plant journey.
Diverse, Rare Collection: From rare tropical varieties (Piper, Dioscorea, Labisia, Ardisia, Philodendron) to exotic carnivorous plants (Venus Flytraps, Sarracenia, Nepenthes), we curate a specialized selection you rarely find in standard nurseries.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
For me, networking has never been about cold messaging people or exchanging business cards—it happens naturally when you immerse yourself in the community you love. Showing up consistently to local pop-ups, hosting interactive events like potting parties, and engaging genuinely on social media creates organic connections.
My advice for finding a mentor or networking is to focus on shared passion rather than transactional outcomes. When you ask questions out of true curiosity, share your own journey openly—including the learning curves—and offer value back to the community, real mentorship happens naturally over time. Don’t be afraid to reach out to people whose work you admire, but lead with authenticity and respect for their time.
Pricing:
- Plant Styling & Consultations: Starting rate for home or business plant styling assessments (e.g., Starting at $35 per half hour consultation or Custom quotes based on space).
- Potting Parties & Workshops: Per-person or flat event rates for interactive workshops and private gatherings (e.g., Starts at $20 per attendee, includes pot and plant).
- Tropical & Rare Plants: Price range for curated collection (e.g., Varieties ranging from $5-500+ for rare collector species).
- Arty Potted Inspirations ( Pot, poke, and plant) & Custom Gifts: Hand-styled decor starting at $15, customized based on pot size and plant species.
- PL_Art: Original plant art and decor designed to transform any plant space or collection room. ( starting at $15/ custom quotes also available
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @getpottedraleigh
- Facebook: @getpottedraleigh
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtney-hamlett-3601a815/
- Palmstreet app: https://seller.palmstreet.app/seller/
