Editors note: This article pairs with “Little Terra mirrors stress relieving businesses Color Me Mine, The Soap Factory”
A new Provo business called Little Terra gives patrons the opportunity to connect with nature in a creative and stress-free environment. The owners provide the tools and supplies for customers to make their own individual terrarium, a transparent container in which plants are grown and displayed.
Little Terra owner and creator Marina Groom said she developed the business with the hope of sharing her love of plants and creativity with others.
Building terrariums started as a hobby for Groom nearly 20 years ago while she was living in her home country of Brazil. She spent time gardening and experimenting with plants. Using the Internet, she continued to learn more about terrariums and the process of building them.
She sold her terrariums and other creations at local farmers markets, but she said she always had bigger dreams in mind. She said she wanted to share her hobby and give others the opportunity to construct their own terrariums instead of just buying them.
Groom runs the shop with her husband, Roger, and her daughter, Fe Marucci. They work together to share the process of building terrariums, or “creating little worlds.”
Marina chooses the supplies and materials, Marucci runs the customer service aspect of the business and Roger works more on the sales and corporate side. All three said they share the same hopes and dreams for Little Terra to grow into multiple stores across the state and eventually the country.
“We want people to come and have the experience of making their own terrariums. We try to make it easy and simple. The idea is to come with your friends, have a good time and connect with nature,” Marina said.
The family noted the therapeutic aspects of making terrariums. Roger said often if any of them feel stressed or overwhelmed they sit down, build a terrarium and feel calmer.
“It’s fun to see what everyone is creating because no two terrariums are alike, even if they are the same type of vase. It really gets you to think outside the box and get creative,” Marucci said.
When patrons arrive, they are led to the back of the store where they can choose a vase from a wide selection of shapes, sizes and prices. After choosing a vase, guests choose their plants. Little Terra provides many options including succulents, generic indoor plants, mini trees (small, slow-growing plants) and air plants (small plants that cling to nearly any surfaces including street signs, rocks and branches).
After deciding on a vase and plant, customers choose a base, place their plant and add water. They can also add layers of large and small rocks, colorful sand and seashells, all of which are provided through an $8 studio fee.
The variety of materials allow customers to personalize their terrarium. The total cost ranges from as low as $16 to as high as $50, though the average cost is around $25.
Not only does the business give customers the chance to build their own terrariums, but it also offers a form of therapy, according to Marina and her family.
“We believe by making terrariums, people connect with nature, and there are so many advantages,” Marina said.
Advantages to making terrariums include reducing stress, boosting creativity, lowering heart rates and blood pressure and sharpening mental focus, according to Marina.
