Meet Eliza Blank: The CEO and Founder of Plant Empire The Sill

Welcome to Second Life, a podcast spotlighting successful women who've made major career changes—and fearlessly mastered the pivot. Hosted by Hillary Kerr, co-founder and chief content officer at Who What Wear, each episode gives you a direct line to women who are game changers in their fields. Subscribe to Second Life on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere you get your podcasts to stay tuned.

In a world where we're constantly seeking ways to bring nature indoors, Eliza Blank, the founder and CEO of The Sill, has managed to turn her passion for plants into a thriving business. The Sill, a direct-to-consumer houseplant company, is on a mission to make everyone a "plant person" and infuse indoor environments with the benefits of lush greenery. 

Blank's love affair with plants was deeply rooted in her upbringing. Inspired by her mother's green thumb and the lush gardens that filled her childhood home, Blank developed a profound appreciation for the natural world. However, as a young adult living in a tiny New York City apartment, she encountered a common challenge: finding the perfect plants to thrive in limited indoor spaces. This ultimately sparked the initial idea for The Sill while Blank was still in college. 

In 2012, Blank decided to take the leap and turn her plant-focused dream into a reality. To start her venture, she launched a Kickstarter campaign, which successfully raised $12,000, providing her with the initial capital needed to embark on her entrepreneurial journey. In the early days of The Sill, Blank took a hands-on approach; she personally sourced, potted, and hand-delivered plants to clients in the bustling metropolis of New York City. It was a labor of love, a testament to her dedication to bringing the beauty and benefits of plants to city dwellers.

Fast-forward to the present, and The Sill has blossomed into a remarkable success story. The company has secured more than $20 million in venture capital funding, expanded its reach to deliver plants to 48 U.S. states, and established nine retail stores. Blank’s vision of making "plant people" out of everyone has transformed into a reality. Perhaps it was her entrepreneurial spirit in her early career days that made The Sill such a success. 

But before The Sill, Blank initially ventured into the corporate world after graduation, working as a brand strategist at the global brand agency Wolff Olins. She then transitioned to a role as a brand manager at Living Proof, the haircare brand that took the industry by storm with its dry shampoo. Throughout these roles, she remained passionate about her idea for a houseplant business. Listen to the latest episode of Second Life to hear how Blank's invaluable past career experience would later prove essential in building her plant empire.

And keep scrolling to shop some of the best plants and accessories from The Sill.