Ashworth, a former CEO of Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa, has always been a nature lover, but little did she know that, one day, she’d take that passion and turn it into a business.
Alexis Ashworth has turned a lifelong green thumb into a flourishing business that helps people from all walks of life get more from nature.
Ashworth, a former CEO of Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa, has always been a nature lover, but little did she know that, one day, she’d take that passion and turn it into a business.
It all started when the pandemic hit. “I found myself turning to houseplants in the winter months to stay centred and grounded,” Ashworth says.
Guided by an executive coach, Ashworth began exploring whether her green thumb could be the ticket to a potential career opportunity. “I always thought of plants and gardening as a hobby,” she says. “I never considered that (it) could be a career path.”
With a bit of research, Ashworth found there was a big gap in Ottawa for horticulture therapy: a practice that uses plants to promote well-being. On top of that, she realized that there were many people like herself who were experiencing high stress levels as a result of the pandemic and seeking solace in the outdoors.