Our Founders

Steven Crafton-Karnes

Founder & CEO, The Greenhouse Social™

Steven Crafton-Karnes is a creative entrepreneur, community builder, and unapologetically plant-obsessed visionary behind The Greenhouse Social™. With over a decade of experience in retail strategy, event production, and brand development, Steven has made it his mission to create spaces where small businesses thrive—and where people feel welcome, inspired, and seen.

As a proud queer business owner, Steven brings both passion and purpose to everything he builds. Before launching The Greenhouse Social™, he founded the beloved The Gay Ole Plant Shop™, known for its inclusive energy, offbeat charm, and vibrant community events. His work has helped redefine what a modern plant shop—and community space—can look like.

At The Greenhouse Social™, Steven leads the vision and strategy, overseeing vendor curation, brand partnerships, programming, and long-term growth planning. His goal? To create a space that’s part marketplace, part movement—a retail model rooted in connection, creativity, and collective success.

With deep roots in Georgia’s small business scene and a fierce love for all things green and growing, Steven is helping to cultivate something truly fresh: a plant-forward, people-first gathering place designed for the next generation of retail and community engagement.

Andy Porten

Chief Operating Officer, The Greenhouse Social™

Andy Porten brings a strategic, systems-driven approach to operations, combining over 15 years of expertise in live and virtual event production, logistics, and scalable infrastructure. As Chief Operating Officer of The Greenhouse Social™, Andy is focused on building a high-functioning, sustainable operational model that supports multi-revenue streams and positions the brand for regional expansion.

In addition to his role at The Greenhouse Social™, Andy continues to serve as Senior Production Manager at BehaviorLive, where he leads the planning and execution of complex hybrid and virtual conferences across the country. His background includes managing large-scale productions for national brands, coordinating multi-day activations, and ensuring seamless audience experiences across platforms.

Andy’s dual roles allow him to bring best-in-class operational practices and real-time industry insights to The Greenhouse Social™, where his primary responsibilities include vendor onboarding systems, technology integration, and internal process development. His ability to design efficient, scalable operations provides investors and partners with the assurance of a well-managed, growth-oriented venture.

With a keen focus on structure, experience, and sustainability, Andy is instrumental in turning The Greenhouse Social™ into more than just a marketplace—it’s a replicable business model designed to meet the needs of today’s experiential retail economy.

  • Erica Parker

    Events Coordinator

    Erica Parker brings a perfect blend of creativity, community spirit, and plant-loving passion to The Greenhouse Social™. As the founder of the Southeast Plant Show, Erica has cultivated a loyal following of plant enthusiasts across the region and established one of the South’s most beloved plant-centric events.

    ​

    By day, Erica is an inspiring elementary school teacher who brings patience, positivity, and a knack for education to everything she touches. Her dual roles as an educator and event organizer make her a natural connector and collaborator—skills she now brings to The Greenhouse Social™ as a partner focused on community engagement, event curation, and vendor relations.

    ​

    Whether she’s helping students grow or helping plant lovers bloom, Erica’s heart is rooted in growth, learning, and community.

  • Tyler Crafton-Karnes

    Head of Wholesale Logistics

    Tyler Crafton-Karnes is the quiet engine that helps keep our roots strong and our branches growing. As a founding partner of The Greenhouse Social™, Tyler provides operational insight, hands-on support, and a calming presence behind the scenes. He plays a key role in vendor relations, on-the-ground logistics, and ensuring that the energy of the space remains welcoming, functional, and community-centered.

    ​

    Also at the helm of The Gay Ole Plant Shop™, Tyler brings years of small business know-how and people-first intuition to everything we do. Whether it’s helping a new vendor feel at home or making sure the vibes stay planty and peaceful, Tyler is a grounding force in the day-to-day life of our growing ecosystem.

  • Alec Batchelder

    Head of Marketing & Live Sales

    Alec Batchelder is one of the creative forces behind The Greenhouse Social™, bringing his eye for design, community engagement, and brand voice to everything we do—quietly, but impactfully. As a founding partner and culture advisor, Alec helps guide the tone, style, and soul of the space, ensuring that every event, vendor display, and social post feels aligned with the inclusive, joyful spirit that defines our mission.

    ​

    Also co-leading operations at The Gay Ole Plant Shop™, Alec helps keep the day-to-day running beautifully while remaining deeply involved in curating the long-term identity of The Greenhouse Social™. His talent for visual storytelling and thoughtful branding continues to shape how we show up in the world.