New Member Intro

Status
Not open for further replies.
crazy daisy

crazy daisy

New Member
Apr 15, 2008
357
215
0
Lancaster
State / Prov
South Carolina
Hello everyone. I own a home based floral design business in Lancaster, SC called Crazy Daisy Designs. I would love to be a part of this site to share ideas and information. Although I have held a floral design certificate since 2005, my business is new and I know in order for me to be successful I need the help of a community with wisdom and experience. Thank you for taking the time to view this and consider me for membership.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 8 people
Have you had any formal training or education?? Where did you get your "floral design certificate"?
Do you have a business license and zoned for business?
Do you have a cooler for your flowers, follow a chain of life processing of them? Sorry so many questions..
 
Rhonda at work,

The questions you asked are good ones and I know that this forum is for professionals so the questions are necessary. My business does pay taxes (I have a Federal and State tax ID number) and is recognized by the State of South Carolina. I have 1 small cooler but because I am not high volume (yet) that is all I need. I do smaller, custom jobs in both fresh and silk. I like the creativity of it without the pressure of doing repetitive "FTD" style designs. I get to spend time with my customers and create for them one of a kind floral designs that are unique just for them. My floral design certificate came from Ashworth College and was a "distance" program. It was a total rip off and I advise anyone looking for a floral design school to stay away from it. I wish I had chosen the Floral Design Institute run by David and Leanne Kessler. I knew I needed some "hard" training and so I took an advanced floral design class in Richmond, Va taught by Janice Mest AIFD. It was a six week class and I learned a lot. My husband and I have owned businesses (restaurants) and know how hard it is to "start up" a business. That is why I am doing business from my home, staying out of debt and building my business before I go out and rent a "storefront" space.
I hope that this answers the questions you had.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
I failed to mention that I am familiar with the proper post harvest procedures and follow them. I keep all my buckets sanitized and use the correct fresh cut flower processing procedures. I use a knife to make my fresh cuts and use floral food in my holding containers as well as in my floral foam and vase designs. Proper handling is a must!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: 3 people
Thank you for answering straight forward my questions. Good Luck in your venture. Glad to see you have covered most all the bases in your quest.
 
Hi,

Welcome to flowerchat. Just a few more questions.
Do you have a webpage or an online portfolio?? How do you market your business to prospects?
 
You have been very forthcoming in your answers and it's appreciated. Do you plan on opening a Brick and Mortar shop in the reasonably near future?

V
 
Crazy Daisy
I love saying your name....yes it takes a village...& Flower Chat is the best.But with your background in restaurants you must not forget your sense of humor. I too am new & doing it all bass ackwards. I am staying away from wire services also. Makes it ruff to get the web recognition, when you have every wire service claiming your area. Pay it no mind, just like the restaurant biz, great customer service & word of mouth will get you to where you need to be.
gracey
 
Have you ever worked in a flower shop? Do you have any experience at all in the floral industry other than working out of your own home? There are some excellent shops in your area where you could gain very useful experience.
 
I think she did say that she's her own designer and she's taken a cources at Richmond, VA....does that not count? Though I couldn't find her on yellowpages, so she might be doing something from home. I've wanted to do that as well but where we live, the Zoning is very very strict :-( and I can't have any customers/employees come in. Anyway, hopefully Crazy Daisey, you get your information that's needed and welcome!
 
Thank you all so much for your help. I appreciate your encouragement. As for getting an actual storefront, well that will depend on the economy (here in South Carolina it's not going too well. I live in an old mill town where many mills have shut down) and my marketing ability. I'm not a pushy person and I'm not into "tooting" my own horn but I do love flowers and offering fun and personal designs to my clients. It may take a little while to get to where I want but thats O.K.. I want to do things right....not quick. My focus is on excellence of service and design....not in volume. If I'm good, the volume will come. Soooo Twiggy, you were in restaurants too? Glad I'm out, how about you? Gracie, I'm going to try and stay focused like you said. Thanks for the kind words. And to my flower pal Tracy....YOU ROCK GIRL!!!!

Lisa
PS Hey Lori, I love your Ralph Waldo Emerson quote...it's my fave!
PSS Hi MoMo, I live in South Carolina now. I took the courses when I lived in Richmond, VA. I do run Crazy Daisy out of my home, it saves tons on expenses and the zoning is very loose here where I live. Of course I live in a place that's surrounded by cow pastures and the locals like to play cow paddy bingo. Yep, it's pretty much exactly as it sounds. Boy, do I miss Richmond!!!! Here's another bit of info...I took the advanced floral design courses taught by Janice Mest, AIFD. She runs her floral design business out of her home too!
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
crazy daisy said:
Thank you all so much for your help. I appreciate your encouragement. As for getting an actual storefront, well that will depend on the economy (here in South Carolina it's not going too well. I live in an old mill town where many mills have shut down) and my marketing ability. I'm not a pushy person and I'm not into "tooting" my own horn but I do love flowers and offering fun and personal designs to my clients. It may take a little while to get to where I want but thats O.K.. I want to do things right....not quick. My focus is on excellence of service and design....not in volume. If I'm good, the volume will come. Soooo Twiggy, you were in restaurants too? Glad I'm out, how about you? Gracie, I'm going to try and stay focused like you said. Thanks for the kind words. And to my flower pal Tracy....YOU ROCK GIRL!!!!

Lisa
PS Hey Lori, I love your Ralph Waldo Emerson quote...it's my fave!
PSS Hi MoMo, I live in South Carolina now. I took the courses when I lived in Richmond, VA. I do run Crazy Daisy out of my home, it saves tons on expenses and the zoning is very loose here where I live. Of course I live in a place that's surrounded by cow pastures and the locals like to play cow paddy bingo. Yep, it's pretty much exactly as it sounds. Boy, do I miss Richmond!!!! Here's another bit of info...I took the advanced floral design courses taught by Janice Mest, AIFD. She runs her floral design business out of her home too!
Click to expand...

Your Funny Thanks for the comment!! Your right when I went to MFA they talked a lot about "freelancers" working from home!! it's just the thing now. With the economy they way it is and the price of rent and people have home offices thats the trends. If you look at many AIFD Websites many are "freelancers", Most are willing to help any B&M if asked for hoidays or large events.GFL
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top Bottom
Back