Today we’d like to introduce you to Lex Burton.
Hi Lex, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
It began as a joke between friends! My best friend, an engineer, used CAD software to design and 3D print a novelty planter that said “Succ it up” for a new plant baby I had just brought home. I loved it so much that we designed a few more together with more quirky slogans (“Succs 2 B U” is a personal favorite); before long, I purchased a 3D printer of my own and started teaching myself how to design with CAD. I grew so much in 2020. At the beginning of the year, I printed my very first planter at home. By the end of the year, I had purchased three higher-end printers, upgraded a couple of them, and printed many of my own designs for markets and online sales. Currently, I’m rebranding Frondezvous and I’m so excited to present a new face to the world.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Any process that involves self-teaching brings you up against at least a few speed bumps. My biggest struggle is finding balance – when I’m not planting and printing, I run a marketing company from home, so finding the time to put my all into both businesses has left me burnt out on more than one occasion. Also, the learning curve with CAD and 3D design software has been a little steeper than I expected. I have a basic grip on the software I use, but with my background in English, I’m very much starting from scratch when it comes to design concepts.
As you know, we’re big fans of Frondezvous. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Frondezvous started out as a space for geeks with plants, but it transcends that. It goes beyond the typical terracotta-and-neutral palette of #plantstagram and welcomes the plant parent who doesn’t fit the mold. With 3D printing, we can make anything out of nothing. From chic, curvy, black and white planters to a planter that looks like a wedge of cheese, whatever you can imagine, we can create. (I’m really proud of that cheese wedge planter, by the way.) I believe that EVERYONE should have access to houseplants so I don’t buy into the mega-rare plant trade. I offer beautiful, easy-to-medium care plants that fit your style and comfort levels. I want to blur the line between the digital and the natural so that everyone can create their own unique space to thrive!
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I’d say I’m a calculated risk-taker. Before I really explored the possibilities with Frondezvous, I made a few test prints, attended a few smaller markets, and measured people’s responses. Risk is often a necessity for a small business owner. I took a big risk in 2019 when I stepped away from my bartending side gig and focused full-time on my marketing firm, and I’ll be taking another risk within the next couple of years when I shift my full focus to Frondezvous. That’s my goal and my dream. Taking a risk doesn’t have to be scary, especially when you’ve done your market research (or whatever research is applicable to your unique situation). I think risk should be viewed and used as an important tool and a necessary step in helping any small business grow.
Contact Info:
- Email: frondezvous@gmail.com
- Website: www.frondezvous.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/frondezvous
