A planting journey, completed with love.
Dear Horti Community,
With a mix of emotions, we share some personal reflections about the journey we’ve undertaken together with you, our cherished Horti community.
Building Horti has been a labor of love for both of us. We bootstrapped this company from a small idea in 2017 into something that touched thousands of lives — without outside funding, without shortcuts — just a lot of care, creativity, and community. Along the way, we were honored to receive recognition that validated the spirit we poured into our work, including publishing a book and being chosen as Wirecutter’s top pick for the best online houseplant store.
Recently, life has invited us both into new seasons of growth. We are each prioritizing our young families and seeking a bit more stability in our lives. Bryana is taking a sabbatical to focus on her 1 year old and new family. Puneet has returned to a role in the tech world — a shift that offers a different kind of settling after years of the rewarding, but unpredictable, hustle of running a small business.
The decision to step back from Horti hasn’t been easy. We’ve poured our hearts and souls into cultivating this community, but we find ourselves at a juncture where the balance between work and personal life calls for a recalibration. Burnout has cast its shadow, and we believe it’s crucial to prioritize our well-being and the well-being of our growing families.
Over the past two years, we’ve been presented with opportunities to pass the torch of Horti to new owners. However, our hearts, intertwined with the roots of this community, couldn’t bear the thought of parting ways. Even now, as we make the challenging decision to retire Horti, it feels more fitting to surrender to the natural cycle of birth and death, allowing the essence of our shared journey to live on in the memories we’ve cultivated together.
The decision not to sell wasn’t about monetary value; it was a conscious choice rooted in our belief that Horti is more than a business. It’s a living, breathing entity woven into the stories and experiences of each member of this community. We’ve come to realize that bringing in new owners might risk diluting the essence of what makes Horti special — the values, the connections, and the shared passion for plants and mindful living.
In this spirit of conscious closure, we believe that retiring Horti is the most authentic way to honor the values that have shaped this community. It allows us to preserve the integrity and essence of what we’ve built together, ensuring that the magic of Horti isn’t compromised.
To our incredible team, we extend our deepest gratitude. Your dedication, creativity, and hard work have been the lifeblood of Horti. We want to assure you that we are actively working with the team to ensure a smooth transition. Your well-being and future opportunities are at the forefront of our minds.
As we embark on this bittersweet farewell, we express our deepest gratitude for the trust and support you’ve extended to us. Your stories, your plant care journeys, and the vibrant energy you’ve infused into Horti will forever be etched in our hearts.
With heartfelt gratitude and a fond farewell,
Puneet & Bryana
Founders, Horti
