Today we’d like to introduce you to Blaine Tiongson.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Blaine. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was in the fast paced restaurant industry for almost 15 years, and spent that last 5 as a start-up consultant. 70+ hour work weeks were the norm. I was going 100 miles per hour, super stressed, and was allowing my work to dictate my life. Needless to say, I wasn’t able to spend very much time in the soothing and relaxing world of Mother Nature.
At the peak of my career, when I was climbing the success ladder and crushing my work goals, I got in a major car accident that left me physically unable to preform my work duties. I was lost, I was sad, I was hopeless. I then had my first child and got postpartum depression. It was a tough time in my life. I’m not one to sit around and feel defeated, so I looked out the window and decided to start a garden. Our first home had a huge yard and I transformed it into a park. I started growing my own fruits and vegetables, every different kind of flower, researched trees, succulents, soil, composting, rain water, you name it I did! And I LOVED it! I had never felt so alive, at peace and fulfilled. The therapeutic benefits of gardening were so powerful for me I had to share them, I wanted everyone in the world to feel these awesome emotions. Fast forward a year and a half and poof Momma Pots was born.
My goal was to create a piece of beauty that attracted one’s eye to life. To be excited to keep the plant alive and then to walk outside and actually see a natural beauty surrounding them. The way the flowers bloom in the spring, the way the trees dance in the wind, the way succulents grow babies. It’s all exciting and extremely beautiful.
I had never considered myself an artist, so where did I turn? Pinterest, of course. My first hundred or so pots were the typical Pinterest fail’s, but then I started getting it. I figured out my own style and I ran with it. I then reached the point where I confident enough to officially launch Momma Pots.
I am very grateful for how well it has been received, who would have thought painted garden pots would be a special niche. We just hit a year in business and have moved out of my garage into a warehouse and are about to launch our connected retail space in May. It’s crazy what passion, dedication, hard work, and gratitude can bring. I am beside myself to see what the next year has in store for me. 🙂
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Ha! It’s definitely been a challenge. Coming from an industry that I knew like the back of my hand and then transitioning into manufacturing artisan garden pots was quite the challenge. Coming from working with teams and then doing the same amount of work that a team faces solo, has been a challenge. Putting myself out there with a background of being behind the scenes, has been a challenge. Raising two outstanding young children while starting a business has been quite the challenge. Can I say, it’s all been quite challenging! But, here is the thing about me, I love a good challenge! All that I have learned has been life-changing, I have met so many wonderful people and have experienced and conquered so many awesome situations. Showing my children how rewarding art and mother nature is, it couldn’t get any better. I thought my past career brought me happiness, the reality is, that couldn’t be farther from the truth. I wholeheartedly feel this is right, this is exactly what I should be doing.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Momma Pots – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Momma Pots is a hub for creativity and life. We hand make artisan garden pots, primarily focusing on metallics, stripes, geometrics and marble designs. We hand pour all of our concrete vessels and hand paint each design. If you’re looking for a custom pot that matches your decor and color pallet or if you are looking for something unique and uncommon from the boring garden pot section, we are the ones for you!
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
We have so many plans, too many to share in this article! We are collaborating with some extremely talented makers and will bring you some pretty amazing products. Our recent big change was getting into a 5000 sqft warehouse with a connected retail space. My business partner Todd and I have never worked in the retail business, so that’s something we need to face before tackling our next big move.
Keep an eye out for us, it’s a fun journey to be a part of!
Contact Info:
- Address: 5121 Santa Fe St. Suite F
San Diego, CA 92109 - Website: www.mommapots.etsy.com
- Phone: (714) 348-3239
- Email: hello@mommapots.net
- Instagram: @momma_pots
- Facebook: @mommapots
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