He Started Selling Plants After Losing His Job. 1 Change to His Business Tripled His Income, Now He’s Making Millions (Exclusive)

**From Layoff to Livelihood: How One Man Transformed a Pandemic Hobby into a Thriving Plant Business**

In an inspiring tale of resilience and innovation, Brandon Hurst has turned his pandemic-era plant-selling side hustle into a successful full-time business, now employing 24 people and selling approximately 5,000 plants each week. Since the beginning of 2026, Hurst has exceeded 100,000 plant sales, marking a remarkable journey that he shared with PEOPLE in a recent interview.

The Los Angeles resident had never considered himself a plant enthusiast before the upheaval of the pandemic prompted a change in his career trajectory. Laid off from his job as an administrative assistant in 2020, Hurst was navigating financial uncertainty when he stumbled upon an idea that would alter his fate. Noticing a woman selling plants on Facebook, he decided to give it a try himself. By May 2020, he posted his first listing, featuring a pink plant in a coordinating pot. The response was overwhelming; overnight inquiries flooded in, leading him to embark on a venture he had never anticipated.

Hurst’s initial foray into plant sales quickly evolved into a family enterprise, engaging his husband Josh and mother as partners. Within six months, the trio was dedicated to the business full-time, operating from Hurst’s balcony and selling hundreds of plants weekly. For Hurst, the work went beyond monetary gain—it became a source of personal solace. Memories of nurturing plants on his balcony elicited feelings of peace and tranquility, prompting him to imagine a future intertwined with horticulture.

In 2021, an engagement with social media significantly propelled Hurst’s business forward. A client suggested he brand himself as “Brandon The Plant Guy” on various platforms. Embracing this new identity, he began sharing TikTok videos filled with plant care tips, while still directing sales through Etsy. His TikTok presence blossomed, with some videos garnering over a million views and rapidly expanding his following to 100,000 before TikTok Shop launched in early 2023.

Hurst’s first livestream event on TikTok took place on April 18, 2023, where he had anticipated selling around 30 plants but ended up selling an astonishing 250 in a mere three hours. This sudden spike in demand caught Hurst and his family by surprise, compelling them to adapt quickly to the influx of orders. Initially, the family worked late into the night to fulfil the orders, filling their apartment with plants and packaging materials, even enlisting the help of friends and neighbours.

Livestreaming not only provided a sales platform but also allowed Hurst to forge personal connections with his customers. He notes how this interactive format creates a sense of community, allowing him to show his personality and make customers feel valued—a factor he credits for his soaring success. By incorporating auctions into his business model in early 2026, Hurst saw profits triple as he transformed fixed-price sales into competitive bidding experiences.

Today, Hurst’s operation boasts a team of 24, including family members and friends. He describes building the business as a surreal experience, acknowledging the rapid growth from selling plants on his balcony to managing a multimillion-pound enterprise. While overseeing day-to-day operations, Hurst still engages with his audience through regular livestreams, creating an environment that feels more like a gathering of friends than a traditional sales pitch.

The emotional connections he has established with his customers are profound. Many viewers open up about their personal struggles and triumphs during the live streams, creating friendships that extend beyond the digital realm. Hurst has fostered a community where, he believes, selling plants becomes a conduit for connection and support—a movement that resonates deeply with him.

In response to the growing demand for space, Hurst moved his operations from his cramped apartment to a large greenhouse nestled within a family-run nursery in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley. The new 3,000-square-foot facility allows for further expansion and has paved the way for Hurst to continue his journey in a more professional setting. He reflects on the incredible trajectory of his career, celebrating achievements he never thought possible given his humble beginnings.

As he looks ahead, Hurst aims to double the size of his business and diversify his operations by bringing in additional livestream hosts. His advice to budding entrepreneurs is simple yet crucial: begin modestly, trust your instincts, and remain authentic. Encouraging newcomers to approach livestreaming like a casual chat with a friend, he emphasises the importance of genuine connection and vulnerability in building an audience.

Brandon Hurst’s story serves as a testament to the possibilities that can arise from adversity. From job loss to building a flourishing business, his passion for plants has cultivated a life brimming with opportunity and connection—an inspiring narrative of transformation that resonates with anyone embarking on their own entrepreneurial journey.