In this episode of Add to Cart, we dive into the world of tech-driven plant care with Jared Carlin and James Shamim, the founders of Plant With Willow. What started as a solution to a common household problem – keeping plants alive – has grown into a thriving business with a global reach. From a successful Kickstarter campaign to a strategic partnership with Bunnings, Jared and James share the innovative journey of Plant With Willow, a startup that combines hardware, software, and a passion for plants.
Stop the killing – smart tech for houseplants
The pair discuss how Plant With Willow went from idea to landing in households all over the world, how they struck up a strategic partnership with Bunnings that goes beyond just stocking their product and the power of customer feedback in building a successful piece of tech.
Three Lessons from Jared and James
1. Identify and Validate Your Market:
“We knew we weren’t the only ones killing plants—turns out, Australians killed 72 million in a year. That’s when we knew we had something,” says Jared. The founders of Willow emphasised the importance of ensuring there was a widespread problem before building a solution. Their research validated the need for a smart plant care product that could save countless houseplants.
2. Focus on Your Core Problem Before Expanding:
“We’re here to solve one problem first—keeping indoor plants alive. Everything else can wait,” Jared explains. As tempting as it is to explore adjacent markets, Jared and James stress the importance of solving the primary problem before branching out. By mastering indoor plant care, they’re setting the foundation for future innovations, including outdoor plant care and advanced tech integrations.
3. Strategic Partnerships Can Accelerate Growth:
“Bunnings saw the vision—and they’re helping us scale it across Australia and beyond,” shares James. Their partnership with Bunnings not only provides retail exposure but also opens the door to collaborative content creation and a future in-app marketplace. Strategic partnerships like this one have been key in taking Plant With Willow from a startup to a recognised brand.
More than keeping plants alive
Jared and James‘ journey with Plant With Willow is a testament to the power of combining technology with everyday needs. “We’re not just keeping plants alive—we’re changing how people interact with them,” says Jared.
By focusing on solving a real problem and staying true to their core mission, they have built a brand that resonates with plant lovers around the world. As they continue to expand globally, their story serves as an inspiration for tech entrepreneurs and plant enthusiasts alike.
This episode was brought to you by…
