Meet Renay Adams | CEO

We had the good fortune of connecting with Renay Adams and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Renay, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I established the SouthEast Rare Plant Market to provide a secure platform for local plant growers to sell their products without the need for a physical store.
Now, four years later, what began as a simple concept has evolved into a lively hub where plant enthusiasts come together to revel in all things green and leafy. Our market not only displays the exquisite work of local cultivators and artisans vendors but also nurtures a close-knit community of plant aficionados from diverse backgrounds.
This year, we are elevating our three local SouthEast Rare Plant Markets to a national level at the SC State Fairgrounds – Goodman Building for The BIG Plant Expo!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I began my entrepreneurial journey as a senior health and life insurance agent, assisting seniors with their Medicare needs back in 2011. While I successfully established a remarkable team of insurance agents, the extensive hours and travel became overwhelming as my youngest son dedicated himself to earning a college football scholarship. Therefore, in 2017, I transitioned to being a stay-at-home mother to support my son in achieving his aspirations!

Transitioning from being a stay-at-home mother was quite challenging for me. I had to rediscover my identity beyond being a parent, wife and an entrepreneur, especially since my children were grown and the youngest was getting ready to go to college.

During this period at home, I developed a passion for gardening. I delved into cultivating vegetables and companion plants to enhance pollination of my garden’s vegetable plants. Embracing this new hobby, I began to connect with fellow gardening enthusiasts through local Facebook groups.

I encountered incredible individuals in various diverse plant communities, and my outdoor gardening interest began evolving into a fascination with collecting rare and uncommon houseplants.

When I began propagating these unique plants, that’s when everything began to flourish. With so many plants propagated, I sought a method to sell them without requiring a physical store or shipping them nationwide.

The Market concept came to life December of 2020 when I discovered a local brewery willing to host a Plant Market. Initially named Lowcountry Rare Plant Market BST, I held monthly Markets from March-December. It was challenging in the beginning just getting the word out for people to start attending. I didn’t charge any vending fees for 2 years. which was another challenge coming out of pocket, but I wanted to make sure it was sustainable for vendors to make money before I started charging.

In September 2022, I traveled to Miami to participate in the International Aroid Society’s major Plant Show at Fairchild Gardens, sparking the inception of The BIG Plant Expo.

A significant change occurred when I met Racheal Taylor in December 2023. Our immediate connection led to a decision to collaborate in establishing a Market venue in Columbia, SC. By spring of 2023, she held her own highly prosperous Market event!

At the time I met Racheal, I also crossed paths with Kym Nguyen. I had proposed a collaboration for a Myrtle Beach Market, which she accepted, leading to a highly successful market season in 2023.

Now that Racheal and Kym were involved in expanding The Plant Market to various cities, we had chosen to rename the business for consistency across all locations and to establish a unified brand identity and South East Rare Plant Market was born.

When I proposed the idea of collaborating with both Racheal and Kym to expand into new cities, our ultimate goal was to host The BIG Plant Expo! The positive reputation we have established in South Carolina’s plant community through our local markets has been instrumental in helping us in our first year building The BiG Plant Expo!

The anticipation is building as we approach June 29th and 30th, the culmination of our efforts. It will be a weekend filled with excitement, energy, and memorable experiences for all the spectators and vendors involved.

The atmosphere will be electric, as everyone comes together to celebrate and enjoy the best weekend of the year. With so much hard work put in, I’m confident that it will be a truly unforgettable event that brings joy and satisfaction to all who participate. Let’s make this weekend one to remember!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Charleston offers a wide variety of diverse activities, making it difficult to choose just a few favorites.

There are numerous places to explore, ranging from local plant nurseries to the must-see Magnolia Plantation for botanical enthusiasts.
Witness the magnificent Angel Oak in person, and then head to Wild Olive for some amazing Italian cuisine for dinner.
The beauty and culture of downtown Charleston are a must-experience. Take a stroll down the cobblestone streets, shop at Market Street Market, or treat yourself on King Street.

favorite restauranta to visit
Halls Steakhouse
Wild Olive
Pages Okra Grill
Santee Mexican Restaurant

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Together, these incredible individuals form the backbone of Southeast Rare Plant Market, each bringing their unique strengths and energy to the table. My husband, Mark Adams, is not just my partner in life but also my unwavering support system, always there to keep me grounded during challenging times. His strength and stability are the pillars that hold me up.

Racheal Taylor, my business partner and COO, is the vibrant soul of our community. Her infectious energy and passion infuse every aspect of our venture with enthusiasm and positivity. With her by our side, there is never a dull moment, and her creativity knows no bounds.

And then there’s Kym Nguyen, our location manager, whose dedication and connections have opened doors to national plant vendors we could only dream of. Her strategic thinking and meticulous eye for detail have been instrumental in expanding our network and reaching new levels!.

With these three incredible individualis by my side, We’re going to take South East Rare Plant Market and The BIG Plant Expo to new heights!

Website: https://www.serareplantmarket.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/serareplantmarket?igsh=MWJybTNwZWNnd2Nvag%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBigPlantExpo?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Image Credits
Southeast Rare Plant Market