Featured member Katy Spence with her succulent supply.
Katy Spence always had a vision of an animal science Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE). However, that vision soon faded once the Willow Springs High School sophomore found herself taking care of a succulent. This succulent was a root for her aspirations, which have now grown into a full business.
“It all just kind of happened,” she says.
Spence was with her grandparents one day when they bought her a succulent. She had no idea how much would change because of this one plant. This one plant ended up sparking something in the Willow Springs FFA member, causing her to want more. Spence found herself taking care of more and more plants by the day.
Spence’s first succulent, which sparked her passion for plants.
Things then changed, and Boho Bliss Succulents was born. Spence soon started selling her succulents on Facebook Marketplace. She also sold them to close connections such as her friends or their families.
Spence then decided to offer her business to teachers within the school district. The business grew even more as she created fliers and sent out emails, eventually selling 24 succulents to educators.
She also donated her products to many sports fundraisers such as volleyball and football team auctions. Through this SAE, she is living in the FFA model and showing that she truly is learning to do, doing to learn, earning to live and especially living to serve.
Spence organizing her succulents and preparing for an upcoming sale.
When asked about her thoughts on this operation after initially wanting a different kind of SAE, Spence said, “I’m extremely happy.” That happiness continues to grow, as she now aspires to own a greenhouse one day.
Just like a plant, Spence found her root, watered it and has grown her business and made it a successful SAE. Boho Bliss Succulents can always be seen at a local farmer’s market, Facebook Marketplace and many other pop ups. This plant will only continue to grow and blossom.
An up-close look at Spence working with her plants
