I built a greenhouse in my backyard instead of an ADU. It earns $24,000 a month and I don't have to work full-time.

Detailed summary

Leela Rea used her wedding industry experience to built a greenhouse in her backyard that she rents out for intimate events in Southern California.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Leela Rea, 37, who built a greenhouse in her California backyard. She now rents it out for small events and photo shoots, earning an average of $24,000 a month. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity. Our family would always drive by this beautiful house in Vista. It had 100-foot trees, eucalyptus, smilax growing down the hills, and hydrangeas.

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