During the lockdown Seb and Lynds were both made redundant.
But something good has come of their misfortune as they have now set up a new online business.
Whilst making plans to get back to ‘reality’, Seb (25) and his friend Lynds (23) talked about their goals and how to incorporate their biggest passion – plants.
After a lot of daydreaming and discussion, they set out a shared vision and goal which has turned into Seb’s Urban Jungle. This is a web store offering a variety of houseplants, subscriptions, pots and accessories.
A small business based in Leith, Seb’s Urban Jungle delivers plants straight to your door. Their online shop officially opened on 1 September 2020 and they have teamed up with Handsel, a new home, gifts and framing shop on Leith Walk, where customers can click & collect their plants.
Lynds explained: “The aim is to help people bring the outside in – in a way that is convenient and affordable for everyone.
“We have always been into plants and have really enjoyed – in terms of how they look, and also looking after them. I have found it quite beneficial for my mental health. I guess when we were both made redundant we had a bit of a crisis and then came up with the crazy idea.”
Business partners Seb, who is from Amsterdam, and Lynds from Edinburgh had met through mutual friends. They were both working in hospitality, in bars in the city when lockdown began and they lost their jobs.
Lynds continued: “I am glad we have come out the other end of the lockdown with this new business. It has been brilliant – our friends and family are all quite excited about it as well.
Web designer, Graeme Smith, set up the online presence with a smart website which is of course very green.
The business has just gone live at the beginning of September so they are brand new.
Customers can subscribe to have houseplants delivered to them monthly to help them grow their own urban jungle, or gift a plant to friends.
For the meantime Seb and Lynds will deliver by hand although outside Edinburgh they will use Royal Mail.
