One-of-a-Kind Keepsake - Bloom & Memories Flower Preserving

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Carol Hucal, owner of Bloom & Memories Flower Preserving, located in Edmonton, AB, Canada.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Bloom & Memories is a one-of-a-kind, home-based Mother/Daughter business striving for perfection for our clients. We take your fresh flowers from the occasion they are from (wedding, memorial, anniversary, engagement, graduation, or any other occasion that you can think of). We photograph all flowers received so that we can refer to them for colorization if needed. We then preserve them in a desiccant and low heat oven. As soon as they are preserved, they will be put into a keepsake of the client's choice (shadowbox, tabletop dome, frame with bubble, or something that they bring). We treat each client as our only one, as the flowers are very special to them from a very life-changing occasion. We do our best to make them feel special. As we are the only ones that preserve flowers in Western Canada, we also take immense pride in our work and are perfectionists in order to make sure our clients love their keepsakes and are glad that they chose to have it done.

Tell us about yourself

My daughter (Nikki Collingwood) and I (Carol Hucal) are the dynamic teams at Bloom & Memories Flower Preserving. We have built a company with a great reputation since 2005. We started the company when she got married as we couldn't find anyone to preserve her wedding bouquet. It took a bit, but when we did find our lady, she wanted to retire, so as I was empty nesting, we thought it would be an awesome opportunity. We have built Bloom & Memories into a wonderful, reputable business with many, many repeat customers. We find that if we do a wedding or a memorial keepsake for a family, then they tell a lot of their friends and family about us. We love working with people, and we wake up each day knowing that we will be making something very special for our clients.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Nikki and I took a very small word of mouth company with one keepsake to offer. Over 16 years, we now have an unlimited array of keepsakes to choose from. Our supplier is here in Alberta as well, so our clients know that they are getting something Alberta created. We are also on Instagram and Facebook.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

The hardest part of this type of business is getting the word out about us. After 16 years, so many people still don't know that we are here to preserve their flowers. Also, it's hard being the only one that does this as

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

The top three tips I would say are to be prepared to give up your time to your business; you must be present for your clients. Make each client feel special and be dedicated to your business and your brand.

Have fun with what you're doing, be professional and be honest.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.bloomandmemories.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bloomandmemoriesyeg/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bloomandmemories/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bloom_memories
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carol-hucal-a7667726/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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