Blog | Natura

Meet Anai Vargas | A Day in the Life of a Plant Installation Specialist| Natura

Written by Natura | Nov 6, 2024 2:30:00 PM

With more than 40 years of experience in interior landscaping, Natura knows a thing or two about what’s up in the field of horticultural design. Drawing on our collective plant and design knowledge, our Design Consultants offer consistently superior services to happy customers. But what’s our secret to success? Join us as we take a behind-the-scenes look at a day in the life of a Natura plant installation specialist.

At Natura we pride ourselves on our team of highly-trained plant specialists and design consultants who have the expertise that helps us stand out from our competitors. This team includes Dallas-based sales consultant and interior plant design professional Anai Vargas

Anai’s passion for live plants started when she was a little girl who loved to spend time in her mother’s spring garden. Now, as a design consultant for Natura, Anai gets to share her passion for lush living greenery with our prospective clients every day! 

To show you what it’s like to work with plants and what sets our specialized plant services apart from any other service providers, we recently shadowed Anai to explore what a day in the life of a Natura plant installation specialist looks like. 

Too Many Plants? No Such Thing!

Most of our employees at Natura  share one core belief: there’s no such thing as ‘too many plants’! With over 40 live plants to care for at home, Anai has no doubt immersed herself in this part of our company’s culture. Caring for plants is how this team member relieves stress, grounding herself ahead of a busy week at the office.

“I clean my plants and wipe down their leaves about twice a week. Sometimes I even talk to them,” she admits 

Anai also notes that she loves all her plants equally. However, if she must choose, her top picks include her Monstera Deliciosa and a ten-foot pothos totem.

Researching Clients Pre-Consultation 

Once she’s at her desk in Natura’s Dallas headquarters, Anai enjoys the company of several live office plants while she prepares for her next consultation.

“I start my day by researching the prospective client I’m about to meet—their location, history, and industry. I investigate their values and company culture to understand what’s important to them.”

In recent weeks, Anai has consulted with multi-tenant property managers, hotels, a law office, and even an airport—each project unique and exciting in its own way.

“I was especially enthusiastic about the airport consultation. The scale and the unique needs of such a high-traffic environment really intrigued me,” she says.

Initial Consultation: What Anai Looks for in a Space

Besides their passion for plants, attention to detail is what truly sets Natura consultants apart from any other. Anai takes note of more than just the structure of the building, she also pays attention to the materials that have been used for walls and staircases.

She’s also naturally on the lookout for:

  • the color of the furniture
  • artwork displayed through the space
  • the number of people working in any given area
  • And the amount of foot traffic that runs through the space on any given day.

“During the first assessment, I focus on several key factors: the amount of natural light in the areas I'm designing, the direction the windows face for optimal sunlight, and whether the lights stay on throughout the day or get turned off over the weekend. I also consider where the water access is, where my team can park, and if special access is required to enter the building or office. I ask about any upcoming updates to the space, such as new furniture or planned construction in the area, which could impact the interior landscaping.”

The Plant Selection Process

Anai’s assessment during the initial consultation informs what plants she will choose for the installation. This choice is directly impacted by the environment.
 
In addition to lighting availability and foot traffic, every consultant considers how easy it will be to maintain a consistent watering schedule at the premises, or whether the plants would need to be rotated.
 

“The size of the plant matters too—how large it needs to be to fill the space and whether there are height restrictions due to ceilings or cameras. If the area experiences heavy foot traffic, I select plants that don’t branch out much, which prevents them from being brushed against or damaged,” explains Anai.
 

When advising on plant selection, Natura presents multiple options that will fit in with the client’s style, brand and corporate identity. 

“I have some examples on hand to give the client an idea of the look and feel without overwhelming them. Too many choices can lead to overthinking or picking plants that don’t work well together, so I try to keep it simple.”

Navigating Potential Challenges

Naturally, issues may arise after an initial site assessment, or during the implementation phase. Sometimes clients have major budget adjustments, or a project date needs to be set back. Other times, a space doesn’t allow for the clients’ full vision and our designers will need to present alternatives that still meet their clients’ expectations.
 
This is why maintaining constant communication is key to ensuring smooth project execution. Starting with the first consultation and throughout the design and implementation process, Anai explains all possible scenarios to the client.

“Setting expectations early helps prevent surprises,” she says, adding that showing appreciation for her own team is integral to her process. “I make sure everyone knows they play an essential role in our success, which is creating environments where people thrive. I also prioritize training, so we’re always learning and finding new ways to achieve this goal.”

Next Steps…

After the first client consultation and assessment, Anai drafts an initial project design then reviews it with the client over the phone or via video chat. 
In addition to plant and container selection, the team then finalizes the number and size of plants that will form the installation (all keeping within the budget). This is also where the project timeline is finalized and communicated between client and consultant, ensuring everyone’s expectations are completely met.

“Another key part of the decision process is deciding whether the client will proceed with a service plan. It’s important to clarify expectations around our service routines, including the difference between purchasing and leasing the plants,” explains Anai.

 
Each consultant will also double check to see if any changes have been made to the space or budget. Once that’s finalized, Anai sends through a quote and service agreement before Natura proceeds with the installation.

Like a Well-Oiled Machine

Depending on how quickly the service agreement is finalized, the consultant will deliver the final design and quote within at least  three days of the initial meeting. From there, installation will take place three to five weeks after the quote is signed (depending on shipping times).

“During this period, I stay in close communication with the client to keep them updated on any changes to dates or the installation area. I also maintain contact with our growers. If certain plants become unavailable, I communicate that with the client to discuss possible substitutions,” says Anai.

Running all installation processes like a well-oiled machine, Natura’s consultants time their plant orders strategically to ensure that they arrive no more than two weeks before installation

“Ideally, we receive them the week before and handle maintenance of the plants in-house to keep them in top condition,” she explains.

If, for whatever reason, the project is delayed with the plants on standby, Anai will work with each client to find an appropriate solution.

“It may require discussing price adjustments, but all possibilities are covered in our initial consultation and follow-up meetings. Thanks to constant communication, clients are well prepared for any changes, though these issues are relatively rare,” she says.

Most of Natura’s clients are ready to seal the deal once they’ve experienced our personalized service plans one on one. Like Anai, every consultant is both a dedicated biophilic design partner and an ally who wants to see your business thrive.

Read this if you want to know more about that first consultation with Natura or schedule a consultation!