New member intro from St. Louis Park, MN

Status
Not open for further replies.
A

allyol

New Member
Mar 3, 2008
5
4
0
St. Louis Park
www.thelatebloomer.com
State / Prov
Minnesota
Greetings fellow floral junkies~
I own a warehouse design studio in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, where I specialize in weddings and corporate functions. I began my journey in the early 90s after leaving the world of professional theatre. My parents had a shop in RI where I grew up, where the seeds were sown for my love of design. I managed retail shops for several years before I realized I needed to do this, design for special times, in order to be truly happy & fulfilled. I feel like I broke through a few barriers on my way to where I am now, and am so happy my husband called me his Late Bloomer, because that is the name I chose for my business! I have been on my own for over a decade and haven't looked back to my old life for even a second! Hope this isn't too long for an intro???
 
  • Like
Reactions: 3 people
you said you specialize in weddings and corporate functions. Do you do anything besides event work? Is your business licensed? Do you hold store hours or just open by appointment only? Do you have a staff or do you work alone?
Alot of questions, I know but...
 
welcome :)

How was it that you found flowerchat?

tracy
 
Hello! I had read about Flowerchat in Florist's Review magazine and always meant to check it out (!). Last week I was at a networking function and was asked by the cake person (who also was a floral designer once) if I had seen it/been on it/used it. When I admitted I hadn't she advised me to do it, saying there was a lot of intelligent discussion, tips, advice and just plain good support from fellow flower afficianados. So, here I am! I am still navigating the maze and learning to use the site to make the most of it and everyone's contributions. Naturally, it is starting to get busy for me so my computer learning-curve time is limited all of a sudden. But, I'll get there! Thanks for your inquiry. If you have any tips on what you have gotten from this site I would appreciate your input. All my best, Alice-Lynne Olson, owner, The Late Bloomer
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
Hello to you! Quick answer: I do not hold store hours. I am an appointment only destination location, and the industrial park I am in is a bit tricky to find. I have approximately 1600sf of studio space, 350sf of which is office/consultation area. I do not have staff per se, rather a team of like-minded designers who enjoy the freedom of freelance work and are on-call with me. So on any given weekend I may have one assistant, or as many as 5, depending on the scope of the project. I began specializing in weddings when I first began in 1994, as it seemed all my friends in retail did not enjoy them (they are labor intensive!). It was a niche I still enjoy to this day, and have won a few design awards for my work. The corporate work came about as a result of my joining ISES (International Special Events Society) where I served on the Board of Directors for 3 years, and volunteered my time for meetings and conventions and whatever they needed. Slowly I began to get business from the corporate members, and now that represents about 40% of my work. I enjoy how much they are different, and yet alike in that they are both one-time shots at making a good impression. So, being the anal-retentive sort I am, I am early rather than late, give a bit more than they paid for, and shamelessly ask for referrals. Hope this answers your queries! And if you have any advice on how to get the most out of this website I would appreciate your input! Thanks! Alice-Lynne Olson, owner, The Late Bloomer Floral Design Studio Inc.
 
Howdie doo

Hi Late Bloomer,

I love the name, love the website! I am a florist in St. Louis Park too.
Not too far from you, so if'n ya need something in a pinch, come on over!
Welcome to FlowerChat fellow flower afficianado!!!!!!!!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top Bottom
Back