Today I am sharing with you about Kelly Shore of Petals by the Shore. Enjoy!
What is your business? What do you offer wedding clients?
Petals by the Shore is a custom wedding and event floral studio. We offer our clients full service , customized floral design based on their vision. We try to guide our clients in the right direction that best fits their budget and aesthetics, choosing the perfect floral combinations and accent decor pieces. There is no one event like the other and we do not create cookie-cutter designs. We want each client to see a reflection of themselves on their special day. We want to wow them when they walk down the aisle or walk into their reception and see that we understood what they envisioned! On the day of the event we are on hand to handle all the floral decor and details. We are there from the moment we hand the bride her bouquet until we place the final touches on the guest tables. We also keep an open line of communication with our clients. We provide a complimentary 1 hour consultation, detailed proposal, site visits, and follow-up emails throughout the year. We want our clients to know that we are hear to answer their questions and guide them through the process.
What is your favorite thing about a wedding day? My favorite part of the wedding day is seeing my brides’ look on her face when I give her the bridal bouquet – so much emotion and appreciation and it makes all of it worth it for me!
What is your greatest fear, and how do you manage fear?
My greatest fear is failing ! I think that is any entrepreneurs greatest fear! I manage it by trying not to think about it and just keep charging ahead. I think the worst time for independent floral designers is the end of the wedding season when we finally have time to breathe and think, it’s not always a good thing because we over analyze everything! Its the curse of a creative mind I say, but it’s that fear that keeps us going and keeps us trying new things and taking risks.
What are your goals for the coming year?
Not for 2016 but for the near future…I want a studio out in the country where I can begin to grown my own flowers and where I can host classes and workshops for the community. I really want to be involved with my community and have a place where I can continue to mentor young designers.
What is your best advice for a bride-to-be?
My best advice for brides is to know what you want your day to look like, even if its a hodge podge of images. Seek out wedding vendors that can sort through the weeds to pull it all together and bring your vision to life while giving you a voice! Don’t allow anyone to tell you what your day should look or feel like, trust in yourself and find professionals you trust to listen to you and who you trust understand you.
What is the inspiration for your business? How did you get started?
I have always been a creative individual and involved in something artistic from the time I was in elementary school. I was also always drawn to natural elements and nature. We never had flowers around growing up, we were not gardeners or a family that brought nature inside. But we always appreciated a field of bluebonnets or a christmas tree farm where we could explore and experience all the sights and smells. In college I began working part time at a campus flower shop to make some extra money and honestly because I was intrigued by the industry after watching Bed of Roses on repeat:) I started out cleaning buckets, filling water tubes and moping floors and soon was allowed to take floral orders and design simple arrangements. I have to say I had the best looking dorm room as I always had fresh flowers! My last semester of college I took a basic design course and we had to design a mock wedding and also design our dream business. Thus, the seed was planted. After graduation I worked at Michaels Arts and Crafts as a floral designer and also at area flower shops, honing my skills. My first wedding on my own came in 2013 when a Michaels customer asked me if I would do their wedding flowers. It was a big learning experience and definitely an eye opening experience, but I loved it! I was hooked. Over the next couple of years I designed the flowers for co-workers, my best friend and my 2 sister in laws. Then life took a few different turns and I decided floral design was not my calling and really was too afraid to start my own business – fearful of failure. It took some low points and some soul searching to realize it actually was my calling and something that brought be joy and that I was really good at. My dad had always said, “find a career that makes you want to wake up each day excited!” I finally knew what that felt like! SO needless to say almost 5 years ago I took that leap of faith and never looked back and charged ahead through all the road blocks, challenges and ups and downs and it’s all been worth it.
Where are you based? What areas do you serve?
Based out of Olney, MD – serve the Baltimore and Washington DC area. We also are available for travel and design a lot of wedding in PA, VA and New York.
Petals by the Shore facebook: Petals by the Shore Instagram: @petalsbytheshore Website: www.petalsbytheshore.com
Commentaires