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Meet Say It With Succulents’ Hannah Burgess

October 18, 2012

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The very stylish Hannah Burgess is a former criminologist with a house full of plants who started her own business selling succulents as mail order gifts. Her foray into the trendy houseplants started simply when she bought her first succulent for her new home. โ€œOne succulent, soon turned to 10 and suddenly, I found myself obsessed by them,โ€ she says.

This sparked an idea for a business and she spent 18 months developing Say It With Succulents, going back to uni to study project management. Eventually she left her job to focus full-time on launching the brand in February.

โ€œI was instantly surprised at the positive response I received from the public. I kept the idea on the down low from just about everyone I knew, so it was good to hear such honest and positive feedback when the final product was released. We have grown since then, introducing a few new products and colours along the way, but for now, our focus is making the product a trusted household name.โ€

Succulents are trendy all of a sudden and their poor old cousin the cactus seems a little out of favour. Hannah says itโ€™s easy to see why: โ€œThey are beautiful, low maintenance plants suitable for any skill level. When I bought my first succulent, there was a big push for consumers to consider drought hardy plants. It was during a time when we needed to be conscious about our choices. So I think people realised that not only were succulents a responsible choice, they were, by virtue, easy to look after and especially great for those leading busy lives.โ€

Iโ€™m a firm believer that every home should always have something green and living in it, whether itโ€™s plants or cut flowers. Hannah agrees that plants bring life to your home. โ€œThey really can transform a lifeless corner into something interesting. Pairing your plants with your favourite books and artwork plays favourably into the overall aesthetic of your home, and really gives you a sense of peace. My home is my indoor jungle.โ€

Her beautiful packaging is key, however. โ€œWithout the packaging, I would have no product,” says Hannah. “Good branding is key to the succuss of any new business and with this comes your packaging considerations. I knew that I wanted my packaging to speak for itself. To be versatile, useful and most of all, reflect the brandโ€™s beliefs. Running a faceless online business means that consumers will judge your brand solely on the tangible product they receive.โ€

All sorts of people are ordering Hannahโ€™s succulents for all sorts of occasions. While her dad is her number one fan, succulents seem to work for all ages and tastes. โ€œFlowers will always be a wonderful and thoughtful gesture, but it is so much nicer to receive a living gift,โ€ Hannah says. Her own nanโ€™s death proved a defining moment when she was planning her business. โ€œI gave my mum a plant instead of flowers and after a week she had a house full of dead flowers and a cute gerbera still sitting on her table. She said every time she looked at the plant, she thought of her mum. This moment still makes me realise the importance of plants in oneโ€™s life. The joy that plant brought my mum could not be replicated with flowers and I wanted others to feel the same when they received a living gift.โ€ Going one further by packaging the plants with handmade pots and bamboo coasters for them to sit on, Hannah feels she is also playing a role as interior decorator.

Hannahโ€™s 3 top tips for healthy succulents

โ€œSimple! Light, water and fertiliser.

Succulents detest the dark. No matter how much love and care you give to your succulent, without light they will look miserable, and quick. Succulents live happily indoors, although you need to find that spot in your house that provides enough light to keep it thriving. Sunny windowsills and rooms that capture northern light are your best bet. What I love about succulents is how easily you can identify a problem with them. If you leave a succulent in a dark spot for too long, they will become โ€˜leggyโ€™. The stems will grow, but the leaves will space out. If this happens, pop your succulent outside for a week or two.

Succulents only require minimal watering: once to twice a week depending on where they are and how they are planted. In pots, they will need a little more watering, if they are in the ground, they donโ€™t really need much more than rain.

If you have your plant potted indoors, make sure you check for signs of dehydration. Conversely, overwatering your plant indoors can be a common problem if they arenโ€™t getting enough sun to compensate. If your leaves are turning brown and mushy, stop the water!

Finally, pick off dead leaves and flowers to promote growth and consider organic fertiliser options like worm juice to keep your plants looking their best all year round. Fertiliser gives your plants that nutritional boost they need, so look for signs such as loss of colour as a good time to fertilise.โ€

Say It With Succulents

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The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_ho The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_house is a work of art and while almost every surface was updated, the decision to keep the original slate floor was genius if you ask us. 

Owner @clarehillier__ says: "With its purple, pink, red and brown tones, the slate was the starting point for our interior palette."

Come and check out the before and afters via link in bio now and read the reno story. It's a real beauty.

And you can book it for your next holiday too!

Blair Smith Architecture @kateshanasy

#slatefloor #slatefloors #80shouse #80sbeauty #camillohouse #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #realreno #holidayhousesofinstagram #morningtonpeninsulahomes #morningtonpeninsula #morningtonpeninsulasmallbusiness #blairgowrie #blairgowriebeach #airbnbstyle
Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’— Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’—
Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for thr Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for three decades going out for a child-free dinner ๐Ÿ’“๐Ÿ˜
Excuse me while I die of a cute attack ๐Ÿฅฐ @damia Excuse me while I die of a cute attack ๐Ÿฅฐ @damianfrancis 

This doesn't happen often these days!
Hello friends! Just thought I'd say hi. Two weeks Hello friends! Just thought I'd say hi. Two weeks since leaving hospital and I'm doing much better than I expected to be at this early stage. A long recovery road ahead but making progress in how much I can move my arm and although I drag myself through some days non-stop yawning, others I can go for a little walk or out for lunch before collapsing on the couch! I can now tie my own hair back and put on a real bra which is very exciting ๐Ÿคฃ Having my bestie here to help us with the boys, drive me places and just be brilliant positive company is the best thing I could have asked for not to mention the many Dinner Ladies vouchers from friends! Thanks for all your kind messages, cards, flowers, gifts and offers of help โค๏ธ
I definitely feel like a statistic now but hoping I definitely feel like a statistic now but hoping to raise some awareness off the back of my misfortune (and also very lucky escape).

@newsouthwaleshealth have just put out this warning about a rise in serious bacterial infections. iGAS (invasive group A streptococcus) is what caused my necrotising fasciitis and sepsis.

Apparently there's similar happening in VIC too.

It's extremely rare but very serious nonetheless so please have a read and be aware of symptoms. I've linked to the article from a button via my link in bio.

#interiorsaddict #jenbishop #necrotisingfasciitis #groupastrep #groupastreptococcus #sepsis
While new technologies continue to shape the inter While new technologies continue to shape the interior design scene, one that has been getting a fair bit of traction of late isย marble-look porcelain. A cheaper alternative to natural stone, the latest printed porcelain tile technology makes it difficult to distinguish from the real thing.

Founded by husband and wife duo Anton and Rita Bourtsev, Sydneyโ€™s @kaolintiles has a unique offering in this space with over 100 different marble-look tile designs in small and large formats.

More via link in bio now.

#porcelain #porcelaintile #porcelaintiles #largeformattiles #largeformattile #marblelooktiles #bathroomtrends2023 #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #heartyourhome #realrenovations #goldsink #brasssink #jenbishop #kaolin #kaolintiles #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger
Promise this is the last wretched hospital photo I Promise this is the last wretched hospital photo I'll post and I hope to be home and with my lippie back on by Monday. You know it's serious when I'm lipstick free, right?!

This was about a week ago in intensive care. And although my arm is still bloody sore I'm now on a normal ward and no longer attached to any drips, drains or a catheter. I've come a long way.

This has been the most physical and mental challenge of my life but I'm through the worst. I kept my arm. The doctors saved my life.

I cannot say it enough times. If you're worried about your health, don't hang around. Things can change so quickly. 

A huge thanks to my amazing husband @damianfrancis We've had the hardest year yet and our marriage has never been stronger, even if my rings did get cut off my finger in hospital ๐Ÿ˜œ

As great of a job as he is doing at home with the kids, I cannot wait to get home now. Countdown is on to a new year and a fresh start.

And I can't say enough just how overwhelmingly grateful I am to all the medical professionals involved in my care, from the @healthdirectaus nurse who sent me to Emergency to the exceptional surgeons, doctors, nurses and support staff.

Happy New Year, everyone. Remember you never know what's around the corner and this is not a dress rehearsal!

And huge thank you for all your kindness here. Has been amazing while stuck in bed.

Xxx

For those who missed it, I was unlucky enough to get necrotising fasciitis. You'll have to Google it.
The unluckiest girl or the luckiest? Day 6 in int The unluckiest girl or the luckiest?

Day 6 in intensive care after suddenly coming down with a very serious necrotising fasciitis in my elbow on Sunday. Four operations later (with more to come) I'm out of the woods, alive and have my arm. But I won't be going home until after Christmas. Also picked up a bonus bit of pneumonia to keep things interesting.

I won't lie. This has been super super hard but I feel extremely lucky nonetheless. Have come across some exceptional surgeons, anaesthetists, doctors and nurses who have been incredibly kind at my most vulnerable as well as great at their jobs. I'm really grateful. Huge thank you to my amazing husband who is holding down the fort with the help and cooking of our wonderful friends. And to friends who check in, send love, flowers, snacks and sushi, I will never forget it.

Of course I will be sad tomorrow but my boys can visit and we will have another Christmas next month.

I'll leave you with this. Never ever ignore those health niggles. @healthdirectaus is always a great starting point.

Wishing you all a merry Christmas and will enjoy everyone else's celebrations on here with only a hint of bitterness ๐Ÿ˜‰

PS. Does this win the most unflattering photo of me ever published? I think so! No lippy for a WEEK.
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About Jen Bishop

Jen Bishop is our owner and publisher and an experienced journalist and editor. Interiors Addict has been her full-time job for more than 8 years. She is married to Damian and mum to Sebastian and Charlie.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AvatarNatalie says

    October 18, 2012 at 10:21 am

    How clever! I ADORE succulents and will def be gifting one through her site. Genius x

    • Avatarinteriorsaddict says

      October 18, 2012 at 3:42 pm

      Glad to have introduced you ๐Ÿ™‚

  2. AvatarMelanie says

    October 18, 2012 at 10:47 am

    Great idea, Love the packaging.

  3. AvatarLetitia Linke says

    October 18, 2012 at 12:19 pm

    Another fantastic interview Jen! Looking forward to many more. Hope the bridge climb went well? xx

    • Avatarinteriorsaddict says

      October 18, 2012 at 3:39 pm

      BridgeClimb was fantastic thanks!

  4. Avatar[email protected] says

    October 18, 2012 at 1:24 pm

    Very good idea. We are working on our landscape and succulents pay a very big part as we are in Southern California. Clever and I will use this service for sure.

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