I have had an interest in plants, and animals from a young age, learning much about both from my mother. I was tending my own plants and multiple pets as soon as I had enough space to keep them while, at the same time, pursuing a Masters of Science degree at Illinois Institute of Technology.  While I had birds, cats, fish, dogs, tropical plants, and gardens, my first significant encounters with reptiles occurred as I started to build a terrarium for my orchids.  

 

My daughter and I rescued a couple Carolina anole lizards that were seeking refuge in my house, having been transported into the house accidentally on some plants moved inside ahead of the colder temperatures outside.  I studied those anole lizards for about 2 years, before moving onto a crested gecko.  In 2015, I started with 2 pairs of crested geckos.  Within a few years, my small collection grew exponentially, and my business was born.