top 3 things to learn about a failed buisness

Learning from other business owners is one of the most important things I do. I am naturally an inquisitive person, so asking questions about everything under the sky is in my blood (Go to Botanical Brouhaha to learn more about my podcast and all the questions I ask) .  But trying to not get wrapped up in the natural desire to know all the gossip and focus on what matters can be a little difficult at times.  We all want to know the gossip, but what stays with me is the pieces of information that help me grow.  And there never has been a piece of gossip that has made me grow.

Reading books like from Good to Great and listening to podcast like How I built This has taught me so many nuggets about business.  Here are a several that have been solidified this summer after some experiences, listening, readings and asking questions.  Writing these down will help me digest them, and remember them in the future.

1) Surround Yourself With the RIGHT People

Having the right amount of business owners, entrepreneurs, creatives and leaders in my life has taken years to acquire and to be honest I am always looking for more. You can never have enough of those kind of people who motivate you, inspire you and correct you when you are wrong.  See the mistakes you are making and help correct them. 

2) Hire Slowly Fire Quickly

This one is tough as being a woman we are natural people pleasers. After eight years of running this business on my own, integrating people to come help me build this has been one the most difficult elements.   As many previous employees have witnessed I wasn't always the best manager.  People are the most difficult element of the business but have also found out, the most rewarding. 

3) Train Well and Give Trust

Once we train our employees through many years of trail and error, we hand over the torch.  I am forgiving of mistakes and make sure everyone is aware that I make them too.  We can all learn from each other and see where we can all grow. But giving them all the opportunity to take ownership of their work has been the most rewarding part of this all.

Above images are of an arrangement made by our Jr. Designer, Maxine Hu.  She's been an instrumental part in making this year a successful one! 

hydrangea and roses - we've given an old classic a little facelift

Are you a hydrangea and roses type of gal? We are here for you, to love you and support you through your supper traditional sometimes overlooked flower love.  Why overlooked? Well, us flower designers love working with product that is more exotic than something that can be found at the grocery.  But I am here to tell you that I LOVE hydrangea and roses.  

It might be thought of traditional and needing to be in a pave (compact) style.  Where you will see the ever so popular lollipop shape tall arrangement or the shorter compact tight arrangement.  I am here to show the world that we are no longer tied to these shapes.  

We must move forward and show the that are not limited to what has been done before while keeping to our Southern ways.  In the Deep South we love our hydrangea and roses, am I right ladies? But we can always venture to give this super traditional look a little face lift.

Here is one I created to day to show you that hydrangea and roses are not only gorgeous, but worthy of a modern touch.  We allow our roses to bloom largely and arrange them in such a way that they have more movement and interest. Styling them so they all have their individual space in the arrangement and ultimately giving them each a moment of their own to enjoy. 

Secrets to making this happen:

1) Allow your roses to bloom fully.  This might take longer that you think. Average rose vase life is roughly 10 days.

2) Think about the shape before you make it.  Have an idea in your mind where you are going.  Even take a moment to draw a quick sketch.

3) Take images of your own work, and edit while photographing. Then study those images.  See what small tweaks you made that made the biggest change in design.

be around the light bringers

I read this some where and shamefully say that I have no clue where it came from.  I knew I needed to save it and meditate on it.  This quote leads my life.  

Be around the light bringers,

the magic makers, the world shifters,

the game shakers. 

They challenge you, break you open,

uplift you and expand you.

  They don't let you play small with your life. 

These heartbeats are your people. 

These people are your tribe.

I absolutely adore my creative community.  They energize me, motivate me and drive me to do more than I ever thought was possible.  My competitors keep me on my toes while my vendor friends keeping pushing me to do more.  I need this like I need air to breath.

Their drive is contagious, their vision demands attention. I am severely passionate about my work and love those that feel the same about theirs. 

These images bellow are from Simon Ly Photography. He reached out and asked for a last minute bouquet.  When he calls you answer.  He's a up and coming fine art photographer who is grinding away and creating is own path to success.  He exemplifies the quote above and found it so relevant to share the images he sent over. 

Vendors that were involved:

1) Hair and Makeup: Adorne Artistry

2)Shoes:  Bella Belle Shoes

3) Model: Ava Galindo 

summer colorful flowers - bringing bright colors to your event

These hot Summer days inspire us to bring out the bold, colorful mixes.  In our last post we mentioned how to use colors in your events. In this post we wanted to give another example of how we use these analogous color tones to create a sophisticated color palate.  Adding too many colors can sometimes cheapen the aesthetic, while keeping the colors in the same family can elevate.  

While we stay inside the same color tones we add interest in the textures we use.  This also allows the eyes to see all the textures and keeps the arrangement from looking messy.   

Here's a bouquet and it's sister arrangement we made to help demonstrate this concept.

top 4 ways to add color to your event

Adding color can be tricky.  Particularly with flower colors and availability.  There are so many variables with flowers that adding specific tones is super tricky.  This is the main reason you will see our portfolio covered with white and green flowers. You are guaranteed an abundance of variation and quality being that ordering white flower... you will always get white.

We suggest adding color through a variety of different ways that are guaranteed to be stylish and easy.

1) Fabric: add colorful linens or napkins.  This is where your design can get moody, bright, cheerful and fun. It can go in so many different directions giving you such control of making a unique event

2) Paper: menu, thank you notes, welcome sign etc. Not only can the paper color choices set the tone, but the font of the text can set the atmosphere as well.  Take all these elements into consideration for your day.

3) Candles: taper candles, and pillar candles.  Have to admit I am loving the color tones that we can add with candles.  We are no longer limited by ivory and white candles. Add those tones that are hard to find in flowers through candles.

4) Flowers: stay in a monochromatic color tones. Don't venture to mixing too many tones... Why? Flower colors don't always translate the way we wish... I order hot pink, I might get coral... I have ordered fuchsia and someone translated that to purple. We deal with these type of issues all the time.  Give us a general idea of where you want to be.... Bright tones with orange and hot pink... Muted tones with purples and mauves.  And we will select analogous tones that marry the colors together.