From Madagascar to Ottawa: Fy’s Mission to Grow Green Spaces and Mental Calm

This story was created as part of the Immigrant Entrepreneur Canada (IEC) Summer Retail Incubator Program, presented by RBC and supported by Meridian.

The program provides hands-on retail experience and business training to help immigrant entrepreneurs launch and grow their ventures in the heart of Ottawa.

As you approach Fy Andrianarisons booth at the ByWard Market from August 6-10, 2025, you’re welcomed not just by an array of lush plants, but by a peaceful energy that mirrors the nature she sells.

Shootsia isn’t just a plant shop. It’s Fy’s quiet revolution, helping people reconnect with nature, heal, and breathe.

“I grew up in Madagascar surrounded by nature, where gardening was more than just a hobby, it was my passion.”

After high school, Fy moved to the city to study mathematics and later switched to computer science. She began her career as a software developer, but life took her to the Democratic Republic of Congo, where she paused her professional path to focus on family.

In 2021, she decided to start a garden company with the support of her sister back home, which turned out to be a fulfilling and stress-relieving venture. Since then, they’ve become one of the leading horticulture companies in Madagascar!

As a mother of three daughters, she sought a safer environment and better opportunities something neither Madagascar nor Congo could offer as immigrants.

In Canada, she discovered immediate support through grants, education, and newcomer programs. For the first time, she could envision building something lasting while feeling a genuine sense of freedom and belonging.

When Fy first arrived in Ottawa, her first prirority was finding a place where she could get rare tropical plants. She visited several stores like Home Depot, Canadian Tire, and others, but couldn’t find what she was looking for. After researching online and checking Facebook, she still couldn’t find a local source in Ottawa. As a result, she had to buy from a vendor in another province.

She’s confident there are many plant enthusiasts like herself in Ottawa searching for these rare treasures. And who knows, maybe that place could be Shootsia?

“Every time I walked past a house in Ottawa and saw plants in the window, I knew I wanted to do this again,” she shares.

For Fy, plants aren’t just décor. “They add value to your daily life. They purify the air, relieve stress, and bring calm to your mind.” With Shootsia, she’s offering more than greenery, she’s giving people a way to feel grounded in their space.

Her collection ranges from air-purifying snake plants to delicate succulents, each chosen for their ability to thrive in different environments. Fy takes time to help customers find the right plant for their lifestyle.

“It’s not just about selling, it’s about teaching people how to care,” she explains. Whether you’re a plant parent for the first time or a seasoned grower, Fy meets you where you are.

But the journey hasn’t been without challenges. As a newcomer, navigating the rules around business and adjusting to Canada’s unpredictable weather especially with a plant-based business, hasn’t been easy.

“You don’t always know where to go, or what steps to take,” she says. “But we’re figuring it out.”

That’s where the IEC program came in. Fy credits the incubator with helping her gain clarity, confidence, and community. “It’s hard to do this alone,” she says. “Being part of a group where others are building their dreams too, it keeps you going.”

The program also gave her the space to experiment with display techniques, pricing strategies, and customer engagement. “I learned how to tell my story, not just sell my product,” Fy adds.

“Now, when people stop by, they stay to chat—and sometimes they come back the next week just to say hi.”

Her proudest moments have been watching people form emotional bonds with their plants. “I had someone tell me that caring for a plant from me helped them through a hard time. That’s why I do this.”

Fy’s long-term vision? To see Shootsia bloom into a full-scale plant business that offers workshops, creates community, and helps people care for both their plants and themselves.

“My dream is to have a physical shop one day, with a space where people can come for peace, community, and maybe even tea,” she smiles.

For now, you can find her at the ByWard Market, sharing not just plants, but peace. If you stop by, don’t be surprised if you leave with more than a plant, you might just walk away with a little more calm, too.

This blog post is part of our series celebrating the incredible entrepreneurs who participated in the 2025 Immigrant Entrepreneur Canada Summer Retail Incubator Program, presented by RBC and supported by Meridian, in collaboration with our community partners: ByWard Market, Invest Ottawa, Lennox Innovations, Ottawa Print Services, Ottawa Board of Trade, Square, and WhiskeyJack Media.