Today we’d like to introduce you to Kourtney Figueroa.
Hi Kourtney, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was born and raised in the 305, Miami Gardens, FL, to two Jamaican parents, and honestly, I just graduated with my M.B.A. in HR this year, too, and lastly, I am a U.S Army Veteran as well, but honestly, I’ve loved nature for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I was the one glued to The Crocodile Hunter and Animal Planet, absolutely fascinated by every creature I saw. I wanted to be a veterinarian back then, and my first real “plant memory” was growing a bean sprout in a plastic bag for a school project — I was hooked from that moment on.
I spent a lot of time in my mom’s garden, planting sunflowers and watching them bloom. I still remember my aunt telling me that the seeds we eat actually came from those flowers — it blew my mind as a kid and made me realize how connected we are to nature in ways we don’t always think about.
But like many people, life took me in other directions. I joined the Army after high school, then focused on college and work. Somewhere along the way, I lost touch with that part of myself that loved being outdoors and growing things.
In 2020, everything changed. I was laid off twice during the pandemic and felt completely unsure of what to do next. One day, I was walking through a park trying to clear my head when I looked up and saw an osprey perched high in the trees. I had never seen one that close before, and something about that moment brought everything full circle. It reminded me how much I loved nature — and that I needed to find my way back to it.
At first, I explored a few paths. I considered vet school again, but the timeline didn’t feel realistic. Then I interned with the South Florida Wildlife Center, which was amazing, but still required years of schooling. Eventually, I discovered flower farming — and then plant propagation — and something clicked. Growing and selling baby plants and trees let me reconnect with nature immediately. It was something I could build with my own hands, at my own pace, and still feel that same excitement I had as a kid watching a seed sprout.
Today, that’s what I do — I run a small native plant nursery focused on Florida native plants and trees, along with edible plants and trees, and teaching others the science and joy of growing. It’s been a long and winding road, but in a way, I ended up exactly where I was meant to be: surrounded by life, growth, and purpose.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Of course not! It’s definitely been anything but a smooth road. I don’t have a business partner, I didn’t come from money, and no one in my family owns a business — so I’ve had to learn everything the hard way. I’ve made mistakes, lost money, and quit on myself more than once because I simply didn’t know what I didn’t know.
Agriculture, in particular, is tough to break into. You need land, tools, infrastructure, and a lot of patience. I’ve had to build everything from scratch while figuring out how to make it sustainable. On top of that, every time I’d start making big progress on a project, life would shift — I got pregnant multiple times throughout this journey, and as any mom knows, that changes everything. My time, energy, and focus had to adjust.
But even through the setbacks, I never truly gave up. Each pause forced me to rethink and rebuild smarter. I learned how to work with what I have, how to start small, and how to stay consistent even when progress felt slow. The challenges taught me resilience — and that’s honestly been the biggest blessing in disguise.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Things Are Blooming Nursery ?
My business, Things Are Blooming Nursery, started from a simple love of plants and the belief that anyone — no matter where they live or how much space they have — can connect with nature through growing something. I focus on Florida-native plants, edible crops, and trees that are adapted to our unique climate. Everything I grow is chosen for both its beauty and its purpose — whether it’s feeding pollinators, supporting local wildlife, or helping people grow their own food.
What makes my brand different is that I don’t just sell plants — I teach the plant science behind them. I noticed that a lot of content and nurseries focus only on the “how,” but not the “why.” I love explaining what’s actually happening inside the plant — how roots form, why native species thrive better here, or how soil biology plays a role in growth. I want my customers to walk away with knowledge and confidence, not just a product.
I’m proud that my nursery represents real life. It’s small, grassroots, and built with persistence, creativity, and a lot of heart. I grow everything by hand — from seed to sale — and I show that you don’t need massive acreage or big investors to start something meaningful.
Beyond plants, my goal is to build a community around learning and growing. I use my platforms to share educational videos about propagation, native plants, and sustainable gardening, because I believe the more people understand how plants work, the more they’ll want to protect and cultivate them.
Ultimately, I want people to know that Things Are Blooming Nursery isn’t just about selling plants — it’s about growing connection, resilience, and purpose through nature. Whether it’s a Florida native shrub, a sprouting cashew tree, or a Seminole pumpkin seedling, each one has a story, and I feel honored to be part of that growth journey.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
There are three things I really believe in.
First, where there’s a will, there’s a way. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or ask for help — that’s honestly how I got my land today. I simply reached out to a local farm and asked if they had any growing space available, and they said yes. Sometimes, all it takes is speaking up. A closed mouth doesn’t get fed.
Second, just do it. You’re never going to feel completely ready, and waiting for the “perfect moment” only delays your growth. Even if you don’t know everything, start anyway. In five years, you’ll either still be thinking about it or you’ll have five years of experience — and experience always wins.
And third, remember that there are people out there doing exactly what you want to do — with less passion, fewer resources, and fewer opportunities — and they’re making it happen. That always motivates me to keep going. You don’t have to have it all figured out; you just have to start.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thingsarebloomingnsy.etsy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thingsarebloomingnursery/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569875227372
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thingsarebloomingnursery/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KrocodileKourtney
Image Credits
Photo Credit @ AsiasCreativeStudio
