In a journey to self-healing and spirituality, she decided to create a place of calm and safe space by bringing plants into her home. For Nkhensani Rikhotso, this was also the start of her passion for plants and the beginning of her now successful business.
In sharing her experience Nkensani said, ‘Once you invite plants into your life and home, it is easy for them to take over.’
For her, the takeover, so to speak, was a positive one because soon after she also built a thriving business from her passion for plants.
This Joburg South mum is not just an entrepreneur of note, but also somebody who thinks out of the box, bringing the creative side of her to life.
Not only has she managed to gain a loyal online following for her plant-care and styling tips, but she now has an indoor plant consultancy and plant shop, Her Merakai, advising people how to turn their own spaces into lush, indoor jungles.
Once she moved plants into her living space, her life began to revolve around supporting all the living and breathing things in her house and she found great joy and healing in the process.
On the way to success
‘I got my first plant in 2020 and my home quickly turned into what seems like a jungle, now with over 200 plants. At the beginning of the lockdown, I posted something about plant care. I only had about 250 followers, but that post did really well, so I started posting more and soon I had a thriving business.
‘It went from a passion to a career in a second. I quickly realised it could be turned into a business. It started with plant care products and doing consulting and then went into styling.
‘I come into your space, have a chat with the client to understand the space they would like to turn into an indoor jungle and also understand their lifestyle. Do they travel a lot and so on? I will then take all this feedback to source plants and pots that would be most ideal for the space and are aligned to my client’s vision and then style the space.
‘This is a very collaborative process to ensure we create the best indoor jungle.’
Why plants?
‘Because anytime I’ve ever felt most connected, has been in spaces where I’m surrounded by plants and water and that place is Mpumalanga for me. I went through a big life change and wanted to rediscover myself and be balanced and aligned with my approach. I started seeing a therapist, adding plants to my home and getting my reiki certification.
She now also offers in-person and distance reiki healing, which she feels is a natural complement to her plant business.
‘Clients can also let me know if they want a spiritual reading in the session or not.’
‘I believe my deepest purpose in this life is to help others find their own healing, whether that’s through reiki or creating a safe and mindful space with plants.’
But there’s more
Nkhensani describes herself as a quiet and curious child when she was growing up. However, she also had an analytical mind and thought of one day being a paediatrician or even a chartered accountant (CA).
She took the first steps to become a CA after school but during that time, also taught herself to build websites. With her first website up and running a new path opened up and she found a space where she could combine her analytical thoughts and creative mind in web design.
And her drive as a female entrepreneur lead to her being spotted by Mr Price Home. They approached her to collaborate with them for their Women’s Month range.
She was tasked with creating designs inspired by her business and life, which have been incorporated into a range of homeware items including cushions, planters, stationery, tableware and more.
Her range is a stunning blend between nature and the female form. ‘It’s rooted in the strength, beauty and resilience of all the women who have impacted my life. The women that raised me – all are so different, yet they have all added a part of themselves into my life,’ she said. And yes, her homeware range was available at Mr Price Home stores nationwide from early August.
‘This means the most. To be recognised for my work by such an established brand is a huge honour and to be able to create a range of products that I love has been incredible.
‘In future, I would like to collaborate with more aligned spaces to create more indoor plant concept stores like the one I have at Toasted. I would like to add more products to my shop and work with businesses and homes to create more indoor jungles and be the go-to person for plant styling.’
Daily challenges
Nkhensani runs what you can call a tight ship with several deadlines for things she needs to achieve every day.
‘Whether that be seeing a reiki client, or ordering plants for the shop to creating an indoor jungle for a client, but I think it’s about being intentional with your time, both with business and personal time. Making sure that when I’ve knocked off for the day, I really take the downtime.
‘I think it’s balancing everything and making sure that everything is running smoothly. My day-to-day tasks always look different. I overcome these challenges by planning down to the detail, giving my all and trusting and allowing.’
She also finds strength in other women. ‘I am continually inspired by how multifaceted women are, how they carry so much in businesses and households. They always share their knowledge and are inspiring. They build communities, they don’t just walk alone.’
Up close and personal
She grew up in Meadowlands, Soweto, and was raised by her grandmother while her mum did her studies. ‘Although mum was busy, she has always been around. I was raised with my cousins, so my world was always quite full. I was reserved but loved to dance. That’s what I was known for.’
When it comes to special people in her life, she is quick to answer that she could mention a lot of people in her family and her best friend. ‘But my son Kai definitely is a huge motivator to where I am and why I am.’
Weekends are there for chilling. If she is not at home with her son or taking care of her plants, she will be at a music festival or concert and 44 Stanley is her favourite spot. ‘I’m lucky enough that I got to partner with Toasted in Parkwood, which has also always been one of my favourite spots.’
A last message for women out there
‘Trust your vision, if you have that burning feeling to start something, do it. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but you will get customer feedback and you can work and improve on your product and service. Leverage the digital tools that exist to grow a community that loves what you do because they are the ones that will refer people and that allow you to grow.’
Follow @her.merakai to learn more plant care and styling tips.
Text: CARINA VAN DER WALT. Photo: TONY CHRISTIE. Make-up/Hair: KENDYL BENJAMIN (NIXON MAKE UP). Stylist: BRONWYN PARSONS. Location: STUDIO 031
