Carleo of Plant Fantasies speaks on panel at Columbia Univ. conference

Teresa Carleo, president of Plant Fantasies, a full-service Manhattan-based landscape and green roof contractor, was recently a featured speaker on the entrepreneurship panel as part of Columbia University's sixth annual Women's Business Leadership Conference, "Inspiring Women, Inspiring Change." Carleo spoke to a group of undergraduates, noting that she had always felt "passionate about plants and flowers," and had long wanted the opportunity to translate her interest into a profession. Starting with a minimum wage job watering plants at a luxury building, she continued to take increasingly challenging assignments until her business took off and prospered. In 1987, Carleo incorporated Plant Fantasies and, shortly after, had it certified as a woman-owned business enterprise (WBE). Plant Fantasies now performs projects for many of NYC's leading real estate developers including Macklowe Properties; The Trump Organization; World-Wide Holdings Corporation; Spitzer Engineering LLC; Jack Resnick & Sons; and O'Connor Capital Partners. High-end properties served include 250 Hudson St. (the newly installed green roof); Manhattan House; Trump Tower; Casa 74; the Milan, Miraval Living; and the Corinthian. When asked for the secret of her success, Carleo replied that her horticultural instincts combined with "strong people skills" and a natural penchant for sales continue to guide her. Accustomed to often being the sole woman "in a man's world" in her profession, Carleo said that she has overcome obstacles and challenges that come her way by offering "highly attentive customer service," and "never, ever giving up." Sonika Tyagi, an economics major and a sophomore at Columbia University who also works as a licensed sales associate for Nest Seekers International, a real estate brokerage, was inspired by Carleo's message. Tyagi said, "It's clear that Carleo has the qualities you need to succeed - she has determination, is a go-getter, and has a 'can't fail' attitude. After hearing her I feel more motivated and realize that I need to take action to achieve my goals. I've started to take steps to put my business together."