Our Story
Our Deeper Truth
What began as a child's careful hands learning to nurture life has grown into something far more profound: the recognition that the future of our relationship with nature lies not in taking from it, but in understanding it so deeply that we can help it flourish in ways beyond what we've known.
We believe that the most revolutionary act is to reject the hoarding of knowledge; we choose instead to give it away freely, and we hold that true innovation comes from empowering others to build upon our discoveries. We're not just growing plants; we're cultivating a new paradigm where science serves wonder, where biotechnology democratizes beauty, and where every breakthrough belongs to the community that makes it possible.
This is the quiet revolution
Transforming how humanity partners with the natural world, one cell at a time, one shared protocol at a time, one plant at a time. Because the most meaningful changes don't announce themselves with fanfare; they grow from the ground up, rooted in curiosity, nurtured by generosity, and sustained by the understanding that the best way to honor nature is to help it become more of what it already is: endlessly creative, infinitely resilient, and profoundly beautiful.
"Houseplants grow our capacity for wonder, tending to a plant is to protect a space for life to unfold as it does." - Aaron Bouverette, CEO
The Story of Variegata Labs
Roots Run Deep
The story of Variegata Labs begins long before its founding, rooted in the green-thumbed wisdom of my grandmother, Mary. Her home was a living sanctuary, every corner filled with thriving houseplants, each one carefully tended with the kind of love that only comes from true understanding. As a prolific plant collector, she created an environment where nature and nurture intertwined seamlessly.
For me, earning Grandma's trust to water her plants was nothing short of a rite of passage. I was somewhere around seven or eight years old when she first handed me that watering can, and I felt the weight of responsibility that came with caring for her beloved collection. It would be years before I was deemed ready to approach her prized cacti; those required a more experienced hand and a deeper understanding of their unique needs.
From Passion to Purpose
That early introduction to plant care sparked a lifelong love affair with all things green. Throughout my life, I've always kept plants in my home, finding joy and peace in their quiet presence. Little did I know that this childhood passion would eventually bloom into something much larger.
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, my career as a wedding photographer came to an abrupt halt as the industry shuttered. Like many others, I found myself searching for new ways to move forward. It was during this uncertain time that I turned to what had always brought me comfort: plants.
Growing a Business
What started as a simple way to share my love of plants quickly evolved into something more. I began selling plants online through Facebook Marketplace, connecting with fellow plant enthusiasts in the community. The response was overwhelming, and before long, I was offered a pop-up opportunity at one of our local grocery stores.
Every sale, every conversation with a customer, every plant that found a new home fueled my determination to grow this venture. I carefully saved every dollar, working toward a bigger vision. Eventually, I had enough to rent a kiosk in a mall in Joliet, Illinois, where I spent countless weekends sharing my passion with visitors and building a loyal customer base.
Those months in the mall kiosk were more than just business transactions; they were the foundation for something greater. The relationships I built, the knowledge I gained, and the capital I accumulated all served as stepping stones toward my ultimate goal: opening a full retail store in Chicago.
The Science of Growth
Over the past four to five years, my journey has taken an exciting turn toward the scientific side of plant cultivation. I've immersed myself in learning and studying plant tissue culture, a fascinating field that allows for the propagation of plants at the cellular level. This technique opens up incredible possibilities for creating rare varieties, preserving genetic diversity, and advancing our understanding of plant biology.
A Partnership Blooms
The most recent chapter in the Variegata Labs story began when I met Andrew Scarpelli, President of ChiTownBio, Chicago's only community bio lab. Our shared vision for advancing plant science through innovative tissue culture techniques and an open-source model, created an immediate connection. In a generous show of support for our mission, they agreed to incubate our startup, providing access to their professional-grade laboratory facilities.
This partnership represents more than just shared space; it's the bridge between our current vision and our future as a fully independent laboratory. With their support, we're able to refine our techniques, expand our capabilities, and work toward establishing our own state-of-the-art facility.
Looking Forward
Today, we stand at the intersection of passion and science, tradition and innovation. We honor the wisdom passed down from plant lovers like my grandmother while pushing the boundaries of what's possible through modern tissue culture techniques.
Our goal is to make rare and exceptional plants more accessible while contributing to the scientific understanding of plant propagation and cultivation.
From a seven-year-old carefully watering Grandma's plants to pioneering plant tissue culture in Chicago, this journey has been one of continuous growth; much like the plants we cherish.
We're not just growing plants; we're cultivating the future of botanical science, one cell at a time.