My name is Isabella, I live in Miami and work through my Upcycle creative studio. Here’s a bit of background info on how my quarantine project turned into a company:
ONE DOOR CLOSES > I used to work for a local art agency, I used to put on shows for artists in galleries and museums.
When COVID hit, I found myself indoors all day, with my life revolving around my desk. I was bored and unmotivated.
ANOTHER ONE OPENS > As my quarantine project, I started growing plants, eventually I started propagating plants, reusing and repurposing every pickle jar and smoothie bottle I could get my hands on.
HOOP DREAMS > I’ve always loved basketball and soccer. Been a Tottenham since before I was born. So I had an idea: To take used basketballs and soccer balls and turn them into planters.
I started slicing them in half, filling them with soil and a plant, and using a chain to hang them from the ceiling. I photographed my concept and posted it on my Instagram story. Friends started asking if they were available for purchase.
At first I offered local deliveries, then national. I thought it was just my friends supporting me, so I was surprised when I got a custom request from a total stranger. Now I ship internationally, and 80 percent of my orders are from people I don’t know.
A GOOD ENVIRONMENT > A major focus of our company is giving back to the community around us, and the environment. We are developing a charitable initiative, where we will donate new soccer balls and basketballs to schools, and take their old sports balls, which they would have trashed and surely sent to landfill, and use them for our planters.
Our name is Upcycle Planet, and we’re all about recycling and upcycling materials, and giving them a second life, with the goal of bringing more beauty, happy, and healthy to our world.
The meditative process of creating my products, finding solutions for modern challenges, and building the Upcycle Planet brand, are what bring me intrinsic fulfillment.
Thanks for reading and i'm happy you're here. Love you <3
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