Diana, owner of Plantaisie | Growing a business rooted in passion and perseverance
When Diana arrived in Canada 15 years ago, she knew she would have to reinvent herself. Speaking neither French nor English, she was starting from scratch in a new country. Her first venture into entrepreneurship began as a nail technician, renting a small space in a salon. But deep down, she knew it wasn’t her long-term path.
“I saw it as something temporary,
just until I got my permanent residency,” she recalls.
It wasn’t until the pandemic that she discovered what truly made her happy: plants.
“For the first time in my adult life, I had the time to do whatever I liked at home. That’s when I realized how much I loved caring for plants,” she says.
From Facebook Marketplace seller to store owner
And so, during the pandemic, Diana began selling plants on Facebook Marketplace while still working as a nail technician. What started as a small side business quickly grew into a true passion, and Diana began wondering how she could turn it into something more sustainable.
That question led her to enroll in Microcredit Montreal’s women’s entrepreneurship training, on the recommendation of a nail client who had completed the program herself.
“The entrepreneurship classes helped me give structure to my idea. Before that, I didn’t know how to move forward,” Diana explains.
Her client, who eventually became a close friend, also invited her to participate in local markets to sell her plants in person. Those experiences proved invaluable.
“Selling in person allowed me to see what customers liked, what worked with different types of clients, and what people were more comfortable buying online versus in person,” she says.
Using Microcredit to Finance Your First Business
Between 2021 and 2024, Diana worked tirelessly toward her goal of opening her own shop. In 2024, that dream became a reality with the launch of Plantaisie, a plant and home décor store that reflects her love for beauty, greenery, and connection.
Getting there wasn’t easy. “The biggest obstacle was financial,” she admits. The second challenge was finding the right location. “I visited many spaces with my broker. Some were too far from the metro, others didn’t have enough foot traffic. It took time to find the perfect spot.”
With the support of a loan from Microcredit Montréal, Diana was able to bring her vision to life. Beyond the financial support, the team guided her every step of the way, even visiting the chosen location and helping organize a pop-up market to attract customers after the store’s opening.
Building a Resilient Business Through Income Diversification
Today, Plantaisie is thriving and expanding rapidly. Beyond offering plants and décor, Diana has created a space where people can connect and learn, hosting a variety of workshops and occasional pop-up markets. In the near term, she plans to optimize her space to accommodate even more workshops, helping others invest in their wellbeing while discovering the joy of plants and creative outlets.
“When people ask me how I did it, I tell them that first, you need an idea,” she says. “But turning that idea into reality takes structure, guidance, and support. Partnering with an organization like Microcredit Montréal gives you the tools and confidence you need to make it happen.”