When you think of Halloween decorations, your mind probably jumps to basic Jack-o’-lanterns and spooky ghosts hanging from trees. But for Heather Torres, a Texas mom with an obsession for fall decor, pumpkins have become more than just a seasonal tradition—they’re now a viral business. And not just any business; one where people are willing to shell out over $1,000 for her jaw-dropping Halloween displays.
Yes, you read that right. People are literally on waiting lists for Heather’s elaborate pumpkin creations, known as Porch Pumpkins, and the internet can’t get enough of it.
In just four years, Heather’s business has quadrupled in size, transforming her from a stay-at-home mom with a passion for pumpkins to a successful entrepreneur dominating the Halloween decor scene.
So, what exactly is Porch Pumpkins? How did a side hustle turn into an internet sensation? And why are people willing to spend top dollar on pumpkins? Let’s dive into the full story behind Heather’s viral pumpkin empire.
From Stay-at-Home Mom to Pumpkin Entrepreneur
Back in 2013, Heather Torres was just like any other mom, juggling the chaos of raising a baby. Her son was only seven months old, and while she spent her days caring for him, she also channeled her energy into decorating her home for fall. Pumpkins were her go-to.
“I went crazy with pumpkins,” Heather admits, recalling how her obsession with creating the perfect autumn aesthetic took hold. Little did she know that those early days of decorating would lay the groundwork for what would later become a lucrative business.
Fast forward to 2020, and the world was in lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. People were looking for ways to brighten up their homes, especially for holidays like Halloween.
Heather, noticing that many of her friends were spending thousands of dollars on Christmas decorations, had a lightbulb moment: Why not do the same for Halloween, but with pumpkins?
Armed with years of experience in crafting her own intricate pumpkin displays, Heather launched Porch Pumpkins. Her goal? To bring the magic of Halloween to people’s front porches, one pumpkin at a time.
The Birth of Porch Scaping
Now, let’s be clear—Heather’s Porch Pumpkins isn’t your average pumpkin patch setup. We’re talking about porch scaping. It’s a whole new level of decorating where Heather designs and installs elaborate Halloween-themed displays using a mix of pumpkins, hay bales, and other seasonal decorations.
Her attention to detail is unmatched, and each display is a carefully crafted masterpiece that transforms a simple front porch into a Halloween wonderland.
What sets Porch Pumpkins apart from other Halloween decoration services is Heather’s extensive knowledge of pumpkin placement and preservation.
In fact, her years of experience taught her an important lesson: “If you put pumpkins in your landscaping, they’ll rot faster,” she explained. So, instead of scattering pumpkins across lawns, Heather strategically places them on porches, where they’ll last longer and look fresher throughout the season.
It’s this level of thought and care that has made Porch Pumpkins such a hit. Heather’s clients aren’t just getting a pile of pumpkins—they’re getting a curated experience that turns their homes into Halloween showstoppers.
Going Viral: How Porch Pumpkins Took Over the Internet
Heather’s business didn’t just grow—it exploded. In her first year, she expected to design about 30 porches. Not a bad number for a small business, right? Well, she was in for a surprise. “We ended up doing 250 porches in 2020,” Heather told People magazine.
“This year, we’re doing 1,037 pumpkin displays.”
That’s a nearly fourfold increase in just four years. And it’s not stopping there. Heather has already expanded her business to serve the Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston areas, with plans to break into the Austin market by 2026.
With demand continuing to skyrocket, it’s clear that Porch Pumpkins has struck a chord with homeowners who want to stand out during the Halloween season.
So, what’s the secret to Heather’s success? Part of it is undoubtedly her creativity and attention to detail, but a large chunk of her growth can be attributed to social media.
Her elaborate pumpkin displays have taken Instagram by storm, where videos of Heather sprinting to complete orders and showcasing her finished products have gone viral. In one particularly popular clip, Heather was seen hustling to finish 21 porch designs in a single day, leading to a $10,000 payday.
The Cost of Pumpkin Perfection
Now, let’s talk numbers. Heather’s pumpkin displays don’t come cheap. Her most expensive package will set you back a cool $1,350, but what you get is nothing short of a Halloween extravaganza. The priciest option includes:
- Two grand prize pumpkins
- 10 large Jack-O’-Lanterns
- Eight medium Jack-O’-Lanterns
- Eight white ghost pumpkins
- An assortment of pie pumpkins
- 16 specialty pumpkins
- Mini orange and white pumpkins
- Three hay bales
- Ornamental gourds
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That’s a lot of pumpkins, but for those who are willing to splurge on seasonal decor, it’s worth every penny. Heather’s displays aren’t just about quantity; they’re about creating a cohesive, visually stunning porch that makes neighbors stop in their tracks.
For those on a tighter budget, Heather offers a more modest package priced at $325, which still includes a solid selection of pumpkins, though on a smaller scale. Regardless of the price point, Heather’s clients are guaranteed a porch that will be the envy of the neighborhood.
Halloween, Tradition, and the Allure of Pumpkins
It might seem strange that pumpkins have become such a hot commodity, but their significance goes beyond just being a Halloween decoration.
Pumpkins have long been associated with the fall harvest and Halloween, thanks to the ancient Irish tradition of carving turnips into lanterns to ward off evil spirits.
When Irish immigrants arrived in the U.S., they found that pumpkins were more plentiful and easier to carve than turnips, giving rise to the iconic Halloween Jack-O’-Lantern.
This tradition, combined with the visual appeal of pumpkins, makes them the perfect symbol for fall. Heather taps into this cultural history with her displays, blending old traditions with new creativity. It’s no wonder her Porch Pumpkins business has resonated so deeply with people.
More Than Just a Display: Porch Pumpkins’ Environmental Impact
One of the standout features of Heather’s business is her commitment to sustainability. After Halloween, Porch Pumpkins offers an optional clean-up service where Heather and her team return to remove the decorations. Interestingly, about 65-70% of her clients choose this option, especially as Thanksgiving rolls around.
But Heather doesn’t just toss the pumpkins into the trash. Instead, she donates them to local farms, where they’re used as food for animals.
Even the straw from the hay bales is repurposed, donated to farms that can use it for bedding. This eco-friendly approach has won Heather praise from her clients and followers, many of whom appreciate that their pumpkins get a second life after Halloween.
The Future of Porch Pumpkins
With Porch Pumpkins continuing to grow, Heather has no plans of slowing down. As demand increases and her business expands to new cities, it’s clear that she’s tapped into something special.
The combination of stunning porch designs, expert knowledge, and a commitment to sustainability has made Porch Pumpkins a viral sensation, and there’s no telling how far Heather’s pumpkin empire will go.
For now, if you live in Texas and want to get your hands on one of Heather’s displays, you’d better act fast. Porch Pumpkins is already sold out for the 2023 season, and the waiting list is growing longer by the day.
It seems that when it comes to Halloween decor, pumpkins are the new must-have accessory—and Heather Torres is leading the charge.