When April Cohen, an interior designer and former restaurant owner, met Jim Ruzicka, he ran a machine shop in North Houston.

---

It was a stressful job, so to relieve stress, I grew and propagated plants in my backyard. After a few years, I wound up with a whole lot of plants.

---

Jim frequented April's Heart and Soul Café, often teasing her about trading plants for meals. One day, she decided to drop by and was astonished by what she saw – hundreds of plants filled his backyard.  April suggested selling them, so they made 19 signs and posted them throughout the neighborhood.

---

She asked me what I was going to do with all of those plants, and I said I didn't know!

---

​April suggested selling them, so they made 19 signs and posted them throughout the neighborhood.

---

​It was so much fun. We sold every plant in a single day.

---

What began as a hobby soon grew into a thriving business. With her knowledge of decorating and design and his knowledge and love of plants, Jim and April made the perfect team.