Meet Trailblazer Jeanette Padilla

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeanette Padilla.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Jeanette. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I love the idea of repurposing unique vintage pieces and completing them with Arizona grown cacti.

The inspiration behind Cactus Birds began when I created pieces to gift to my family and friends.  I combined cacti from a local nursery with handpicked vintage containers. My family and friends loved the pieces so much that I thought I should share my creations with others.  As a regular at the Phoenix Public Market I realized there was nothing like it there and it seemed like a perfect fit.

After much small business research, several pokes from cacti, and some blood, sweat, and tears, Cactus Birds was born.  Phoenix Public Market accepted my budding business and before I knew it Cactus Birds took off! Before long Cactus Birds was also at FilmBar and Fillmore Coffee Shop.  In addition to what was showcased at various local establishments, word of mouth and networking helped the business to grow further. I was soon undertaking various projects such as art scaping residential and business spaces, creating centerpieces for weddings and special events, and supplying pieces for other local businesses in downtown Phoenix.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Running a cactus business has its ups and downs, literally. At the start of my business I lived on the 8th floor in downtown Phoenix. I had to do all the planting on a small balcony. Every Friday night was spent drilling, planting, and loading heavy 30-50 pound crates up and down the hallways for the first year. The drilling process alone was a learning curve. Most women don’t learn how to use power drills because we’re intimidated by them. There were a few pieces that were shattered, but now I have it down from all the practice.

My main advice to women starting their own business is to fall in love with what they’re doing. Understand how all the moving parts come together. All the sweat, tears, sacrificed time, and challenges make you a stronger person and helps you appreciate your craft. There were a lot of restless nights, dirt galore, and pricks along the way but there is also accomplishment, appreciation, and humbleness in what you do.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Cactus Birds – what should we know?
Cactus Birds specializes in potting unique one-of-a-kind potted cacti. I scour the valley looking for unique pieces, whether it be vintage or something you don’t typically pot in, like an old 1948 coffee can. What sets me apart from others is that every piece that I put out to sell is never the same as the others. Customers appreciate the uniqueness of the product and like that they can take a staple of Arizona and make it look cool in their home or workplace.

So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well positioned for?
I feel like the opportunities for women are endless. The only challenges we face now are the ones we give ourselves. We have everything at our fingertips and if there’s something we want, we have to know that it’s going to take a lot of hard work, patience, and perseverance. Women have come a long way and have opened the doors to others like myself, creating paths that we can take or that we can help create.

Contact Info:

• Address: Phoenix Public Market
  721 N. Central Ave.
  Every Saturday 8am -1pm
• Phone: 6024591483
• Email: 3cactusbirds@gmail.com
• Instagram: @cactusbirds
• Facebook: @cactusbirds

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