Heather Torres, a Spring Branch native, has successfully carved a niche for herself as the go-to pumpkin decorator in Texas with her business, Porch Pumpkins, which began humbly in 2020 and has since seen substantial growth, as reported by the Houston Chronicle. Her unique business model involves artfully arranging an assortment of pumpkins on clients' porches and patios, creating visually stunning displays that have become a staple for the fall season in both Dallas and Houston.
The demand for Torres' services has skyrocketed after a viral video posted by entrepreneur Chris Koerner highlighted her business, although Torres clarified that the claimed revenue of over $1 million was not exact, she told Houston Chronicle, “I have great revenue, but even my revenue is not quite a million,” acknowledging the financial success despite the grueling nature of the work. This year, Porch Pumpkins has installed over 1,000 displays across Texas, with prices for these seasonal decorations ranging from $325 to $1,350 and Torres indicated she's already fully booked for the 2024 season, those interested can join a waitlist, Torres expects spots for the following year to fill up within two to three weeks after they open in August.
What started as an inspiration drawn from the Dallas Arboretum's annual Pumpkin Village display evolved into a full-scale operation, as Torres describes, “Many people get Christmas trees and wreaths and garlands decorated for Christmas, but I started a business that decorated front porches with pumpkins for fall,” she explained in her interview with the Houston Chronicle. Having expanded to Houston in 2021 upon friends' requests, Torres now works with a local design team to meet the surging demand, fulfilling the community's desire for festive fall décor.
With a backstory that includes a shift from being a stay-at-home mom to managing a booming seasonal business, Torres's story is one of entrepreneurial spirit and creativity, having decorated 250 houses in her inaugural year, her journey encompasses a surprising turn as she never expected to work in Houston again as she told Chron.com, "I never thought I’d be back in Houston working, so it’s wild how it all came to fruition," and now her business is a staple in the city's fall celebration. Her success is a testament to tapping into a niche market and scaling a passion into a profitable venture.
Outside the pumpkin season which concludes in November, Torres also offers removal services, ensuring that all pumpkins end up at local animal farms, thus continuing her engagement with the community and maintaining sustainability through her business practices. For residents of Texas, Torres's Porch Pumpkins has become synonymous with the fall festivities, a tradition that is likely to grow with each passing year.