Quality, Service, and Value - Exceptional Flowers & Gifts

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in floristry but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Joshua Laddin, florist and owner of Exceptional Flowers & Gifts, located in Boca Raton, FL, USA.

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

I have been in the retail flower business since 1987. We specialize in creative and innovative designs, quality flowers, and top-notch customer service. Our customers are people that appreciate a top-quality product and are willing to pay for it. I know my numbers and our customers always get at least their money's worth.

Tell us about yourself

I was born in Brooklyn, NY, and lived in parts of Queens and Long Island, but I have spent the last three decades right here at home in sunny South Florida. Even at a young age, I knew I wanted to run my own business. I didn't know exactly which career path life would take me on, but I knew I'd be working for myself, and I'd be doing something creative.

At age 17, in college and woefully uninspired, I decided to switch gears and seek out new experiences. I found an interesting opportunity at a local florist in Bayside, Queens, where I grew up. This seemingly straightforward 'job' turned out to be the very start of my passionate 30-year career as a florist and business owner.

Originally hired to take phone orders, I was quickly relieved of duty - not my forte. I was sent to the back of the shop where the floral design took place. I started doing all of the so-called "grunt" work – the odd jobs no one else cared to do. I cleaned buckets, cut and cleaned new shipments of flowers that came in, and, after a while, I was shown some fundamentals of floral design. I slowly started to help fill (create) some of the day's orders. I learned the names of the flowers, how to care for them, and detailed handling techniques. I learned how much the flowers cost and how the cost would fluctuate based on the quality of the product and the change of seasons. I ended up getting that education after all, and then some.

I worked as a full-time designer at two Florists in New York before relocating to Florida in 1990. I spent the next two years working as a designer for top Florists in and around Boca Raton and Delray Beach...until I was ready to fulfill that boyhood dream.

In 1992, with some support from mom and dad, I opened Exceptional Flowers & Gifts. For almost 30 years now, my team and I have been providing the highest-quality floral arrangements and unique and modern floral designs, blended with truly exceptional customer service and value. Our empathetic, compassionate, and giving nature allows us to channel the emotions and sentiments of our customers and incorporate those feelings into our designs and all we do for our loyal clients no matter the occasion. We give with our hearts, and it shows in our work :)

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is my longevity. I have outlasted wars, recessions, tyrannical governments, genocide, etc.. and I'm still here : )

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

One of the hardest things that come with being a business owner is running your business. People are the common denominator. People let you down. People make mistakes. People aren't reliable. For most business owners starting out, they work twice as much for half the pay. Owning a business is like raising a child; it costs tons of money in the early goings, but eventually, it pays dividends.

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

Know your business.
Have plenty of money.
Never devalue your product/ service or yourself.

We put good into the world each and every day. We are blessed here, and karma has enriched our lives. Money isn't the motivator for me/ us; it's exceeding expectations. It's giving people value for their money. It's doing exceptional work and providing customer service that is above and beyond the norm. We offer products and price points that aren't the norm in the floral industry. Most florist sites are template-based and don't convert well into sales. This is done purposely to ensure that florists make enough to stay in business, just not enough to succeed. Our site has products and services in the thousands. Our average order is more than $150.00.

I value my employees and pay them well. I don't devalue my people or my product. We do fantastic work here, and we genuinely care about our business and industry. There are many times we don't charge labor. Specifically, the orders that are going to Hospice. We give the recipient Full value in flowers. We want them to have beautiful flowers and smile in their last days.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://exceptionalflowersgifts.net/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ExcptnlFlowers/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exceptional_flowers_gifts/

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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