Micro Plant Studio wins grant
Julio César Román, owner and founder of Micro Plant Studio, has hired a studio assistant and is expanding his hours thanks to a grant award.
For the past five years, Julio has worked the shop at 365 W. Broadway by himself seven days a week. Now he has Emerson Joseph-Ferrara helping out.
Fifty Black- and Latinx-owned small businesses around the country received $10,000 grants from The Coramino Fund, a grant program of LISC and Kevin Hart’s Gran Coramino® Tequila. Julio was one of two recipients in Massachusetts.
“Black and Latinx entrepreneurs have historically lacked access to financial resources and learning opportunities, restricting their businesses' ability to expand and thrive,” said Lisa Glover, CEO of LISC. “This impactful partnership provides vital resources to an exceptional group of small business owners around the country, who in turn support our local communities.”
Julio was shocked – and thrilled – to get the grant. Emerson is happy Julio finally has someone on board. Running an entire business for five years alone and being open seven days a week … “I don’t know how he's done it.
“A lot of his regulars say they’re so happy that he finally has support.”
And that support comes in the form of the perfect candidate, Julio said. Emerson grew up and still lives in South Boston. She loves plants and art, two of Julio’s passions. And she is a quick learner.
“We’re very lucky to have her,” Julio said.
“Being a part of a business that is in my hometown is really important,” said Emerson, who works in the mornings.
The 24-year-old daughter of Fred Ferrara and Alexis Joseph-Ferrara has always loved art, creating, and working with her hands. Her passion for plants was instilled in her by her dad. “Growing up, we used to always be in the garden,” she said, noting their house on West Fourth Street actually has a decent-sized yard. She just recently cleaned up the garden beds to get ready for spring.
She came into the job with a lot of plant knowledge, but Julio has taught her an amazing amount. “My knowledge has expanded greatly,” she said.
“Being [at Micro Plant Studio] really combined my passion for plants with art,” she said. Her duties include repotting plants, pruning, maintenance, sharing plant care information with customers, collaborating with Julio, and just creating beauty.
“She has been awesome,” Julio said, noting that not only does Emerson appreciate plants for plants’ sake, she also looks at the beauty of them.
Julio and Emerson use their arts backgrounds and love for all things green and colorful to help customers connect potted and unpotted plants and floral arrangements with the aesthetics of their spaces. Emerson enjoys helping customers find the perfect plant to best suit their lifestyle, taste, and space.
Emerson had been in the restaurant industry for about 10 years and knew it was time to do something else. She did some soul searching to figure out what she was most passionate about …and that was plants. Almost serendipitously, she saw that Micro Plant Studio, a member of the South Boston Chamber of Commerce, was hiring.
Emerson had been in the store before. “I loved it. I loved the atmosphere. I thought I’d be a great fit.”
She is thrilled she has the chance to share her passion and Julio’s passion with the community and grow the business at the same time.
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