Los Angeles Plant Seller Builds Multimillion-Dollar Business
Following a 2020 job loss, Brandon Hurst turned his passion for plants into a 24-employee operation in Los Angeles.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Gardening
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After losing his job in 2020, Brandon Hurst launched a plant business in Los Angeles that has grown into a multimillion-dollar venture. The company now operates out of a 3,000-square-foot greenhouse in the San Fernando Valley.
Why it matters
The venture reflects the rise of creator-led commerce, where social media engagement translates directly into large-scale retail success. Hurst uses instructional content to build an audience before converting them into customers through live auctions.
The business now processes approximately 1,000 orders daily and employs 24 people. Individual plants can sell for up to $200 at the company's online auctions.
The players
Brandon Hurst
An entrepreneur who built a multimillion-dollar plant retail business in Los Angeles after losing his job in 2020.
The details
Hurst expanded his operations from a small apartment start to a 3,000-square-foot greenhouse facility in the San Fernando Valley. He manages sales primarily through TikTok Shop livestreams, where he maintains a following of more than 268,000 users.
Timeline
Brandon Hurst started his plant business in 2020.
Hurst hosted his first TikTok Shop livestream on April 18, 2023.
The business rented a 3,000-square-foot greenhouse in February 2026.
The company sold more than 100,000 plants throughout 2026.
Culture Shift
This venture illustrates a departure from legacy plant nursery models toward the rise of social commerce on TikTok Shop. It marks a broader shift where personal brand-building on social media replaces traditional storefront marketing as the primary driver of retail growth.
Residents may see an increase in local job opportunities as the company maintains its workforce of 24 employees in the San Fernando Valley. Customers can participate in the brand's live auctions to purchase specific plant varieties directly through the company's social media shop.
The takeaway
Success in modern retail often requires combining a specialized hobby with high-frequency digital engagement. Entrepreneurs can achieve significant scale by leveraging livestream platforms to reach thousands of potential buyers daily.
Further reading
For more on the local horticulture scene, visit the Los Angeles Gardening section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Economic Times.
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