Artful Floral Designs for All Occasions - House of Blooms
Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in floristry but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lucy Sandler, owner of House of Blooms, located in Raritan, NJ, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
House of Blooms is a floral design studio that specializes in bringing your vision to life! Whether we are designing for wedding and event clients or for our subscription and retail clients, we love to use unique elements to make every piece one of a kind. We love to help you "say it with flowers" with distinctive, seasonal blooms for every occasion.
Tell us about yourself
Since childhood, I have always been captivated by flowers. I learned early on that each bloom is unique and special. The first time I had the opportunity to work in a local flower shop in college, I was instantly enamored with the new art form I had discovered. I remember so clearly those early lessons about the fundamentals of design. Spending hours exploring color combinations and shapes never bored me; I truly felt that I had found my passion. What motivates me to run this business is my genuine love of flowers and my clients. There is something so satisfying about communicating a message through flowers. Seeing someone's face light up when they receive a get-well arrangement or when a bride tears up seeing her wedding bouquet for the first time, it makes me feel like I am adding real joy to someone's life.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner has to be pivoting my business model in response to the pandemic. Prior to 2020, House of Blooms was exclusively a wedding and event florist. Once shutdowns happened and events were postponed, I had to choose between shutting the business or finding a way to restructure it. I created our Blooms for the Home subscription service first. I was pleasantly surprised by how many people wanted flowers in their homes on a regular basis. Then, after feedback from my past clients and subscribers, I was inspired to release a retail line of products. The feedback has been tremendous, and my company has grown in ways I never imagined.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
One of the hardest things that come with owning a service-based business is the actual running of the business itself. It isn't often talked about, but website design, consultations, bookkeeping, and much more are all vital functions to make a business profitable. Until someone owns a company, they don't realize that the craft, in my case, floral design, is just a small piece of the puzzle. It is challenging to wear so many hats every day, but there is nothing else I could imagine myself doing.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Know your numbers. Really stop and think about everything you will need to operate your business (insurance, accountant, product, transport, etc.), including how much you want to pay yourself.
- If you are starting a business to monetize a creative hobby that you enjoy, ask yourself if you want to turn a leisure activity into something that is now work. It isn't true that if you do what you love, you don't work; if anything, you will work harder because you built something from a place of passion.
- Talk to your family and friends about how starting a business will impact your lifestyle. Starting and growing a business successfully will mean sacrificing a lot of free time. Make sure that the people closest to you are prepared for that change.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
House of Blooms has recently made relationships with local flower farms to shorten our product supply chain. It's a small way that we can do our part in being more environmentally friendly. This is personally very important to me as the owner of the company, and I am so excited to incorporate these blooms into our designs!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://houseofbloomsnj.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/housebloomsnj/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/houseofbloomsnj/
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.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.