Voices Discovered: Evan and Heather Blackerby of Friendship Plant Co.

Feature image of Friendship Plant Co. owners Heather and Evan Blackerby

ZoZo Photography

Recently we had the pleasure to sit down with Evan and Heather Blackerby, the creators of Friendship Plant Co. a High Point farmers market startup that has become the go-to in the triad for anyone wanting a house plant or foster a friendship. This family has taken the trendiest selection of plants (you know, the ones that are all over your instagram feed) and combined it with the mission of bringing the community together through the giving of plants.  More than just growing plants, Evan and Heather Blackerby are growing a community.

#GiveAFriendAPlant on their Instagram is more than just a catchy slogan – it’s the mission behind the Blackerbys’ business. After purchasing a vintage Ford F-250 and converting it into High Point’s first plant pop-up shop, the Blackerbys began taking their mission of building community engagement through something as simple and natural as beautiful plants all over High Point! Besides their pop-up shop (that often appears at Brown Truck Brewery, 83 Custom Coffee or Yoga Mindset), you can find Evan, Heather, and their three children at the High Point Farmers Market most Saturday mornings.

Heather and Evan Blackerby, Co-Founders and Husband Wife team of Friendship Plant Co are pictured above at the High Point Farmers Market located in the High Point Public Library plaza.

A graphic of a quote by Evan and Heather Blackerby

Q. How did you wind up in the industry?

A. An accident! We didn’t know we would start a plant company, but starting one allowed us the opportunity to invest in the things that we care about, that being cultivating friendships and community through the giving of plants.

The Blackerby family stands in front of their booth at the High Point Farmer Market

Heather and Evan Blackerby, Co-Founders and Husband Wife team of Friendship Plant Co. are pictured above with their children at the High Point Farmers Market located in the High Point Public Library plaza. | ZoZo Photography

Q. What type of career would you have in an alternate universe?

A.

Heather: I would want to be a documentarian and travel the world telling people’s stories.

Evan: I like what she said.

The Friendship Plant Co. truck parked at the High Point Farmers Market

A vintage Ford F-250, converted into High Point’s first plant pop-up shop | ZoZo Photography

Q. What do you wish you knew when first starting that you know now?

A. Things take time to grow. Plants are great teachers.

The Friendship Plant Co. truck parked outside

#GiveAFriendAPlant, the mission behind the Blackerbys’ business located in High Point, NC | ZoZo Photography

Q. What would people be surprised to learn about you?

A. When we first met, we learned that we both had a love for the Beatles music. Two of our children are named after Beatles songs as a result of our connecting over their music.

Evan and Heather Blackerbys kids hold succulents

Evan and Heather Blackerbys’ adorable kids love helping mom and dad at the High Point Farmers Market | ZoZo Photography

Q. What motivates you?

A. Deadlines. Seriously though, honoring God with the way that we spend our lives.

A display of succulents from Friendship Plant Co. in High Point, NC

Q. Best career advice you have ever received?

A. Inch by inch, it’s a cinch. By the yard, it’s hard.

Friendship Plant Co. pop-up shop at Brown Truck Brewery

Friendship Plant Co. pop-up shop at Brown Truck Brewery in High Point | ZoZo Photography

Q. Favorite book (business or pleasure)?

A. Heather: The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery – “And now here is my secret, a very simple secret: it is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”

Evan: Just one? Tolkien’s The Hobbit, maybe Fahrenheit 451 by Bradbury, and, oh man, I don’t want to say The Road, by Cormac McCarthy, but man.

Heather and Evan Blakerby look into each others eyes at the High Point Farmers market

Be sure to check out Friendship Plant Co., the trendiest selection of plants next time you visit the High Point Farmers Market. Heather and Evan Blackerby, husband and wife duo of Friendship Plant Co. pictured above. | ZoZo Photography

Q. Best vacation you have taken?

A. We fell in love with a New England fall a few years ago on trip to explore Maine and New Hampshire. From the rocky coast of Kennebunkport to the red covered bridges and majestic White Mountains of New Hampshire, we were inspired by the beauty that both places had to offer.

Q. Where will find you on a Sunday afternoon?

A. Hanging with our neighborhood church family. In the fall, watching Panthers games as a family.

Q. What makes you truly happy?

A. Being present with our kids, getting outside and exploring in nature, walks around our block, time to learn and reflect and depthful conversations.

A child holding a succulent from Friendship Plant Co. in High Point, NC

Q. As you know, HPU is right here with incredible students looking to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. What three pieces of advice would you give them?

A.

1) You don’t have to have a lot of capital to have a large impact. 2) Always keep your values front and center. Allow those to guide what you say yes and no to. 3) Value relationships. People are always more important than what you are selling.

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Q. Where do you like to grab a cup of coffee?

A. 83 Custom Coffee

Q. Restaurant you can’t get enough of?

A.

Heather: Fixins

Evan: Blue Rock has this salad I love, but I love Fixins too.

Q. Local shops doing everything right?

A. We are huge fans of Sunrise books.

Q. Where do you go to unplug?

A. We love taking walks as a family in our neighborhood.

Q. Excluding yours, what High Point company or business do you admire the most?

A.

Heather: I am inspired by the way Yoga Mindset gives back to the community and forges strong connections with multiple businesses. What a gift to have them here in High Point.

Evan: 83 Custom Coffee. They are creative.

Q. Where would you tell a first-time visitor to High Point to go and why?

A. To the High Point Farmer’s Market on a Saturday morning, of course.

If some of this sounds vaguely familiar, you may have read our recent post on the Friendship Plant Co. where Heather and Evan speak more about the history, it’s humble beginnings and their big dreams. If you missed it, be sure to check it out here. It was a pleasure chatting with Evan and Heather and we are honored to share their story here.

Be sure to head down to the Farmer’s Market (or keep your eyes peeled for the pop-up shop!), and do what Heather and Evan would tell you to do themselves: #GiveAFriendAPlant.

Voices Discovered is a series where High Point Discovered asks questions to High Point business leaders and entrepreneurs to share their view. Consider it a peek into the heart and soul of our local businesses. We hope you will be inspired to investigate more. Past guests have included Tu and Todd Sen and Dr. Lee Bass Nunn, DDS.

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