Hi, my name is Steffanie. I have a business in Newport Beach, California called Perfectly Petals. I work from my home, out of my garage. I do all kinds of events but I would have to say primarily weddings. I am on a few wedding websites and thought this would be a great site to join to share and receive information from other members pertaining to the flowers business. I have had my own business for about 7 years now and I love it! I am new to this site, hope to get some useful ideas and share some helpful tips.
Intro from Newport Beach Florist
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lori042499
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- May 3, 2006
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Steffanie, welcome to flower chat...Just a few questions..
You say you work out of your garage, are you a licensed business that pays taxes or are you running under the radar?
Do you have any formal design training or have you worked in a florist prior to your garage?
Do you have a website?
Do you follow proper flower conditioning and cooling standards?
Thanks for your answers in advance...
The answers to most of your questions can be found on my website.
www.PerfectlyPetals.com
Regarding your question about if I have a Business License, the answers is: Yes I'm run licensed business, and pay my taxes. And no I'm not "running under the radar" I have to much to lose by doing that. Here is the link to the City of Newport Beach, CA Business License Directory.
http://www5.city.newport-beach.ca.us/revenue/results.asp?ID=P
I have a large 3 car garage, detached from the house. I have proper electrical outlets for my refrigeration, and more than enough space for my tables and storage, but no room for our cars!!! Above the garage is a large "Mother-in-Law" suite. A large room with full shower, closet and so on, I've converted it into my office and additional work space.
I believe in doing things right, with quality and integrity at the top of my list of how I conduct myself.
I hope this answers all of your questions.
Steffanie Riese
[email protected]
MANORVILLE
New Member
- Oct 2, 2006
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Hmmmmmmmmm !
Hi Steffanie,
I'm sure, and I hope that you understand why many frown upon the home biz thing, as so many of us are up to our noses in taxes and licensing fees.
What else is there that can give FC members a clearer look into the world of Steffanie ?
Thanks in advance for taking the time.
Hi Steffanie,
I'm sure, and I hope that you understand why many frown upon the home biz thing, as so many of us are up to our noses in taxes and licensing fees.
What else is there that can give FC members a clearer look into the world of Steffanie ?
Thanks in advance for taking the time.
Eric S
Demoted Webmaster
We all have to start somewhere and you don't need to have a retail location to produce beautiful arrangements. Some of the best designers work from the home all accross this nation of ours.
Besides as my my wife put it today. "It would be nice to walk out of our house in our PJ's to go to work at our business in our garage."
Besides as my my wife put it today. "It would be nice to walk out of our house in our PJ's to go to work at our business in our garage."
Well.........I would have to say the world of Steffanie is most likely not much different than that of other florists. I pay taxes, have a business license and do have people that work for me. I just don't have a store front. I have a cooler in my large 3 car garage and an office above my garage. My website if you are interested is www.perfectlypetals.com. I really had no idea that there are many people on this site that seem to have such problems with people that do not have flower shops. Wether someone is working in a shop, garage, studio or where ever it does not change the amount of work that has to be done for a large wedding with 25 centerpieces, 7 bouquets etc....... Hope that answered some of your questions about me and the world of Steffanie. 
Hi, Thank you so much for your nice reply to my introduction. I had no idea that there were so many people on here that seem to have problems with a flower business that is run out of someones garage. Yes.....being in your pj's and working through the night IS one of the perks of working from your garage.
Tracy D'Amico
Well-Known Member
Steffanie - Welcome, and thank you for the thoughtful replies to the questions. No one wants to come across antagonistic, so I hope it did not seem that way.
Many florists have no problem with a business operating as a studio florist, but many do have problems with folks who don't use standard and proper flower care procedures, don't operate as a legal entity by having a business license, don't pay business taxes.
Many times, these types of businesses, whether a florist or another industry, undercut pricing of legal florists, and give flowers and florist a poor rep by delivering substandard product, or product that doesn't perform well because of poor flower care or poor design mechanics and styling. Of courses, we know that bad flowers and poor service can come from a retail shop as well... I guess we're just trying to make sure folks on here are at least legal and trained, or willing to learn and be legal.
There is a good balance here, of studio shops, and full service retail businesses - please post your ideas freely, as we all do. I think you'll like it here!
Many florists have no problem with a business operating as a studio florist, but many do have problems with folks who don't use standard and proper flower care procedures, don't operate as a legal entity by having a business license, don't pay business taxes.
Many times, these types of businesses, whether a florist or another industry, undercut pricing of legal florists, and give flowers and florist a poor rep by delivering substandard product, or product that doesn't perform well because of poor flower care or poor design mechanics and styling. Of courses, we know that bad flowers and poor service can come from a retail shop as well... I guess we're just trying to make sure folks on here are at least legal and trained, or willing to learn and be legal.
There is a good balance here, of studio shops, and full service retail businesses - please post your ideas freely, as we all do. I think you'll like it here!
Welcome to the board!
You'll find a wealth of information here, but here are a couple get aquainted tips.
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For example, "wire service" I would only search in the "Wire Service" section.
Many people that are new here seem to have a common theme, frustration with the wire services. Believe me, this has been discussed hundreds of times, and it's doubtful that anything new will come from further discussion of the exact same topics that has't been already beat to death, repeatedly.
That's the basic way, you can limit further by using some of the other "Drop-Down" menu's like if you know the thread you are looking for is only a week or so old, etc....
Now that you have a list of threads you've searched for, do not just click on the thread you want to read. Instead RIGHT click on the thread and select "Open in New Window" This will pop up a new window with that thread in it, leaving your searched list intact for you to go back to.
The purpose of the "Search" is to offer a member the opportunity to research his/her question better. There is so much information from past threads that you may never see because that member is no longer here, or doesn't see your new post, or just won't respond to the same question. So use it to your advantage and enjoy the board! View this funny and informative film about posting and searching?BR>http://uploads.ungrounded.net/188000/188612_Posting.swf
Take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the forum. At the top of every board there are threads that are tagged as "Sticky" These threads are "Sticky" because they contain very important/valuable information about the forum and everyone should read them.
Following these simple tips will help keep the board pertinent, and eliminate the large numbers of S-O-S posts that we get here on a daily basis, thereby making this board the valuable useful tool it can be.
But we don't want the valuable, golden money making info threads to be lost in the sea of chaff.....
and please don't just be a lurker but an active contributor!
You'll find a wealth of information here, but here are a couple get aquainted tips.
There is also a Search icon at the top bar on every page.
Search Query section
Search for Key Words;__________________________
Below that click on the "Search for All Terms" button, effectively unchecking the default selection of "Search for any terms or use query as entered"
Search Options section
Select which "Forum" to search in at a time, or at all.
For example, "wire service" I would only search in the "Wire Service" section.
Many people that are new here seem to have a common theme, frustration with the wire services. Believe me, this has been discussed hundreds of times, and it's doubtful that anything new will come from further discussion of the exact same topics that has't been already beat to death, repeatedly.
That's the basic way, you can limit further by using some of the other "Drop-Down" menu's like if you know the thread you are looking for is only a week or so old, etc....
Now that you have a list of threads you've searched for, do not just click on the thread you want to read. Instead RIGHT click on the thread and select "Open in New Window" This will pop up a new window with that thread in it, leaving your searched list intact for you to go back to.
The purpose of the "Search" is to offer a member the opportunity to research his/her question better. There is so much information from past threads that you may never see because that member is no longer here, or doesn't see your new post, or just won't respond to the same question. So use it to your advantage and enjoy the board! View this funny and informative film about posting and searching?BR>http://uploads.ungrounded.net/188000/188612_Posting.swf
Take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the forum. At the top of every board there are threads that are tagged as "Sticky" These threads are "Sticky" because they contain very important/valuable information about the forum and everyone should read them.
Following these simple tips will help keep the board pertinent, and eliminate the large numbers of S-O-S posts that we get here on a daily basis, thereby making this board the valuable useful tool it can be.
But we don't want the valuable, golden money making info threads to be lost in the sea of chaff.....
and please don't just be a lurker but an active contributor!
Welcome to fc.. at least shes up front and tells us she works from her home. She has a lot to share I am sure~GFL
Move to New Hamshire we go out in our PJ's all the time well only on Sundays I mean we are not rednecks.lol
roysecityfloristand gifts
Well-Known Member
Lori doesn't need me to defend her, But she was not being antagonistic toward you PP.
These are questions any of us would ask of someone not working from a brick and mortar WALK IN retail location.
I visited your website as you invited us to. Obviously, you have the money to drop on a top notch site, and you apparently have the customers. Good for you.
How nice it would be to stay at home, not pay separate property taxes, personal property taxes (or does the tax man come to your garage and inventory everything for taxing purposes), separate phone, internet, trash, water, sewer, on and on.
And wouldn't it be nice to not have to spend $4.05 per gallon for gas to get to your shop to then turn the open sign of the front door, and watch all the walk in browsers, wasting your precious work time all day. How fantastic it would be if they only bothered us when they wanted something and had a fist full of $$ to hand over.
Huh...maybe we are doing it wrong, perhaps you could share the secret of your success.
These are questions any of us would ask of someone not working from a brick and mortar WALK IN retail location.
I visited your website as you invited us to. Obviously, you have the money to drop on a top notch site, and you apparently have the customers. Good for you.
How nice it would be to stay at home, not pay separate property taxes, personal property taxes (or does the tax man come to your garage and inventory everything for taxing purposes), separate phone, internet, trash, water, sewer, on and on.
And wouldn't it be nice to not have to spend $4.05 per gallon for gas to get to your shop to then turn the open sign of the front door, and watch all the walk in browsers, wasting your precious work time all day. How fantastic it would be if they only bothered us when they wanted something and had a fist full of $$ to hand over.
Huh...maybe we are doing it wrong, perhaps you could share the secret of your success.
Chezbloom
Well-Known Member
No kidding,
Perfect petals, I envy you, working from home. Very cool if you can do it!
Nice website pics-welcome to Flower Chat!
Perfect petals, I envy you, working from home. Very cool if you can do it!
Nice website pics-welcome to Flower Chat!
MANORVILLE
New Member
- Oct 2, 2006
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Very sorry if I came off a little too heavy but the 25,000 that we pay to turn the key makes a big difference to us.
In all honesty I would have been humble and respected those of us that don't work from home.
JMHO
Kevin
In all honesty I would have been humble and respected those of us that don't work from home.
JMHO
Kevin
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