Today we’d like to introduce you to Preston Sonntag
Hi Preston, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Almost a decade ago, we were introduced to Bonsai by a family friend of ours. Up until that point, we had only briefly heard of Bonsai but had no idea how to make one or what it really was. We toured our friend’s Bonsai garden and we were astounded at how beautiful the trees were. From that moment forward, we were hooked!
Soon we began our own collection that slowly grew to fill every window in our small 1 bedroom apartment in college. Stepping into the world of Bonsai showed us how difficult it is to get started in the hobby and like most bonsai enthusiasts we left a slew of dead trees in our wake as we slowly learned how to properly care for our Bonsai trees.
But it was so worth it because our new Bonsai hobby brought so much magic into our lives. We couldn’t keep all that magic to ourselves, so in the spring of 2022 Bonsai Bai Me was born! And every day since we have been so grateful that we get to wake up each day and do the funnest job in the world.
We love the art of Bonsai. Hidden within this hobby is an endless abundance of important life lessons. Like how beautiful things often take time to grow, and that mistakes, when learned from gracefully, can be transformed into admirable attributes. Bonsai teaches us that we should cherish the things that make us unique because those are also the things that make us beautiful.
And above all, we hope that bonsai provides our guests a way to take a step back from the chaos of life and re-center their perspective on what is most important to them.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I wish so badly it had been a smooth road but truthfully the road has been bumpy and windy and under construction at best!
I think the biggest challenge has been learning as we go. Every next step we take is the first time we’ve ever done it, which can be scary.
We didn’t have an instruction manual for how to run a bonsai store so every bit of the process and business has required a lot of testing, trial and error. And when we run into problems there isn’t really anyone we can ask, we just need to solve the problem in the best way we can and keep pushing on.
Another challenge is that the infrastructure for our business isn’t really something that has been built out before either. Like when you start a restaurant there are standard machines for that type of business to cook food, clean dishes, etc. but our business didn’t have any of that so we had to build a lot of it ourselves or get really creative!
We’ve been impressed with Bonsai Bai Me , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At Bonsai Bai Me we want our customers to have a good experience learning something new and beautiful. Bonsai is an art that is famously complicated, but we have made it into a beginner level process so everyone can feel conformable and confident with their new bonsai! We have a beautiful assortment of beginner indoor trees that will thrive and grow for HUNDREDS of years!
What we love about our experience is that this is not a “class”. In other words, we don’t lecture while you listen, but rather you will be fully participating and getting your hands dirty the entire time! You will make all the decisions, the pruning and shaping, all on your own!
Here is the break down on what to expect during your experience!
You will select your very own tree and pot from our wide selection. We will help you open the root ball and pot the tree in one of the classic bonsai settings.
Working together we will talk about how to style, trim and shape the bonsai tree.
To finish we have assorted stones, moss and decorations to landscape around the bonsai tree and create a piece of art that has incredible dynamic features.
When you leave Bonsai Bai Me you will have taken a plant and turned it into a masterpiece! We pride ourselves in making this experience affordable and memorable whether this is for a date night, family evening out or celebrating an exciting life event!
What were you like growing up?
Growing up I always had a million things going on! Between sports, school and chores I felt that my focus was pulled in all different directions. When I finally discovered the art of bonsai I found myself constantly drawn in. This is a hobby that forces you to slow down. I loved the hours, the concentration and the quiet moments spent with each tree as I worked and shaped something new.
Pricing:
- Full experience from 50-150
- Individual bonsai trees 15-50
- individual bonsai pots 20-95
- Bonsai Soil bags 6-10
- Bonsai Accessories 3-20
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bonsaibaime.com
- Instagram: @bonsaibaime
- Facebook: Bonsai Bai Me
