We had the good fortune of connecting with Melissa Ashlin & Meghan Lutschg and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Melissa Ashlin, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
We have always had a deep love for plants and gardening, a passion we inherited from our mothers. One day, while out for a walk, we couldn’t help but notice how many front porch pots sat neglected- empty or with plastic plants. Having just finished sprucing up our own spring pots, we had a thought: why not bring that same joy to others? We had a business meeting with our moms, and decided to give it a go!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
The Perfect Pot is a Houston-based business specializing in custom-curated porch pots, designed to bring beauty and personality to your outdoor spaces. No two pots are ever the same—we thoughtfully consider each client’s space, favorite colors, preferred plants, and gardening skill level, blending it all with our keen eye for design. With the right touches, your porch can feel just as inviting as your living room.

We love working with all types of clients—whether you have pots you love or need help finding the perfect ones. From there, we take into account key factors like color preferences, lighting conditions, and Houston’s unique climate to ensure your plants thrive. No project is too big or too small! We have done projects with 24 pots, and projects with just one showstopper. We love them all. We also offer a seasonal subscription where we come by to refresh your pot every quarter to make sure it is stunning in every season!

Nothing excites us more than hearing clients say they didn’t know where to begin, only to later tell us how much joy their beautifully curated pots bring them every day.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh, how we LOVE H-TOWN! In our eyes, Houston is a city like no other—rich in diversity, full of genuinely good people, and always serving up something amazing. We’re all about keeping it local, whether it’s savoring sushi at Aya Sushi, indulging in Italian at Enoteca Rossa, or gathering for a cozy family brunch at Tapester’s Grill. And when it’s time for a cocktail and delicious bites, you’ll find us at The ‘401—especially with their awesome kids’ cave! We are both foodies, so we love checking out all of the amazing Houston classics and new spots, too.

We both have a soft spot for bookstores (especially local ones) and can’t resist a great patio—preferably one adorned with porch pots, of course! Springtime in Houston is perfect for outdoor dining, and we love soaking it all in.

One day, we dream of creating a curated plant-and-book shop that also serves amazing cocktails and light bites. The ultimate mom hangout, right? We think so!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Both of our moms have always been passionate gardeners—a hobby that teenage Meghan and Melissa found utterly eye-roll-worthy. They would plant endlessly, talk about plants nonstop, and grow anything with a seed, all while secretly competing for the coveted “Yard of the Month” title.

Like many children, Meghan and Melissa eventually hit their 40s and had a realization: their moms were onto something. As busy moms themselves, they discovered that gardening—once dismissed as just another chore—was actually a peaceful escape. Digging into the soil became a source of relaxation, creativity, and reward.

In 2022, Melissa and Becky faced a heartbreaking loss—Melissa’s dad and Becky’s husband of 50 years. Through their grief, they found solace in gardening. There’s something about the soil—its grounding, healing nature—that nurtures both body and mind.

Amidst the chaos of raising kids, Meghan pursued business school between baby #1 and #3 and developed a knack for brainstorming business ideas (some brilliant, some… less so). But The Perfect Pot was different. It was fun, full of possibility, and most importantly, it combined design, friendship, and nature in a meaningful way. With the support of their moms, The Perfect Pot was born—bringing beauty to outdoor spaces, one thoughtfully curated porch pot at a time.

Website: https://www.theperfectpothtx.com

Instagram: theperfectpot_htx

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559043326581

Image Credits
Photo of the four of us is Meredith Symonds Photography

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutHTX is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.