Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Braxton.
Hi Stephanie , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Our journey began in February 2016 as small business owners with the creation of our company, Bourbon Dog Inc. We decided to become franchisees of uBreakiFix (UBIF), a consumer electronics repair franchise. To secure funding, we worked with a finance company to use our retirement funds and invest in ourselves. We signed an area development agreement with UBIF to open three locations, starting with Burlington, NC—our hometown—in November 2016, followed by Greensboro, NC in April 2018, and Kernersville, NC in January 2022.
We prioritized excellent customer service and employee care, offering benefits like medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with a match, and even a four-day work week. Despite the challenges of COVID-19, we adapted by limiting in-store access to one customer at a time and using six vans for remote phone repairs, which kept us busy. However, our business was impacted by post-pandemic inflation. We sold the business in January 2024.
By April of that year, I had convinced my husband, Chuck, to consider a new venture that I had been dreaming of for a few years. A houseplant store that serves beer and wine, offering a comfortable space for the community to enjoy. Before creating our business plan, we traveled to Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, and the mountains of NC, to visit existing shops that would inspire us and lend ideas to what we wanted to achieve.
By July, we secured our spot in Burlington. Larger than we originally envisioned, but a beautiful space on Main Street, right in the heart of downtown, exactly where we wanted to be. Our future as a small business owner was looking bright.
That brings us to today. In less than 6 weeks we have sold over 350 plants and have loved every minute of it!
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?
Is anything worthwhile ever smooth? By the middle of July, everything ALMOST fell apart. I was experiencing very unusual health symptoms. My face and arms were swelling with what we thought was fluid. After many tests and trips back and forth to Duke Hospital, it was determined I had a rare form of sarcoma. A Triton tumor was growing in and around my Superior Vena Cava, a large vein in the neck. Its job is to transfer blood from one side of the body to the next. I was to have radiation and chemo during October and November in an attempt to shrink the tumor before possible surgery. Thankfully, it worked. The only real symptom I had from the treatments was losing my hair. That happened the week of our daughter’s wedding.
Because this was going on, we had decided to inform our new-to-be landlord that we weren’t quite sure what our future held. And that we may need to let the lease go. Today, I will tell customers and friends alike that Jeff Wilkins (the building owner) and his team are my very own Sursy. He is an unexpected gift, full of generosity and compassion for his community, and that includes me and Chuck. Jeff held the building for us, a blessing. After recovering in January from a 12-hour open-heart surgery, we signed the lease, started the buildout, and paid our first rent payment in March of 2025.
As you know, we’re big fans of Sursy. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Sursy opened on the first of the season, “4th Fridays” in downtown Burlington, on May 23, 2025. Sursy, a houseplant boutique, where we offer not only houseplants, but beer, wine, and unique gifts from local artisans. Unlike anything else in the area—other similar stores are at least 45 miles away—Sursy will serve as “the unofficial living room” for our community, blending unique products with a welcoming atmosphere.
Sursy, a houseplant boutique… was founded by plant people for plant people to help foster a community of like-minded individuals with a passion for all things houseplants. To us, plants are the ultimate form of self-care! Not only do they add vitality to your indoor spaces, but they also act as a cleansing agent for common toxins and air pollutants that may be present in your home. Plus, we think they look pretty cool, and to us, that’s a good enough reason to splurge on your plant addiction.
As the “unofficial living room” for downtown Burlington, we plan to serve the community with learning opportunities, a welcoming space for small events, and a unique shop unlike any other spot downtown. As proud natives of Alamance County, Chuck and I believe in the power of community and inclusivity. We believe in helping people of all backgrounds become the best plant parents they can be! Most importantly, we’re proud to be an open-ended resource for any plant care questions.
Our plants and other gifts are sourced from growers up and down the East Coast, as well as craftsmen in our very own neighborhoods. We provide an outlet for local artists by featuring and selling their wares.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Much like our shop, we like to think Burlington is a place rooted in the belief that everyone deserves to feel welcome, inspired, and connected to the natural world. Most people want to have a sense of belonging and we believe our community offers just that. Our goal is to meet people where they are and create spontaneous moments of connection, beauty, and joy whether in our shop or out in our community.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sursydowntown.com/
- Instagram: @sursy.downtown
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=sursy.
