Description

Can AI and augmented reality really revolutionize the plant industry?

In this bold and insightful episode of The Future Fit Edge, we sit down with Mari Carrasquillo, VP of Marketing at Costa Farms, to explore how she’s infusing cutting-edge tech into one of the most traditional industries—horticulture.

With over 25 years of global marketing experience, Mari shares:

• How AI and AR are helping her team enhance customer experience and optimize costs
• Why consumer expectations for online vs. in-store plant shopping are dramatically different
• The structure she uses to balance strategy and execution without losing sight of vision
• The 3 H’s she hires for—and how humility and agility beat hard skills in a fast-paced world
• Why Martech literacy is now mandatory for marketing execs—and how she prioritizes certifications to stay ahead

She also opens up in a fun fireside round—from her dream superpower to the best leadership advice she ever received.

Whether you're in tech, retail, or navigating transformation in any industry, this episode is a masterclass in staying relevant, customer-centric, and future fit—no matter your field.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more episodes packed with future-fit-insights!

Chapters:

00:00 – Welcome & Intro

01:45 – Meet Mari Carrasquillo

03:20 – How AI is Transforming the Plant Industry

06:55 – Augmented Reality & the Future of Plant Shopping

09:35 – The Online vs. In-Store Consumer Mindset

14:00 – Balancing Strategy and Execution as a Marketing Leader

17:30 – The 3H Hiring Framework: Humble, Hustle, Hungry

21:05 – Traits of a Future-Fit Team

23:30 – Why Martech Is Now Mandatory for Executives

27:20 – How Executives Can Prioritize Learning & Stay Relevant

30:25 – Fireside Fun Round