Today we’d like to introduce you to Shantay Long.
Shantay, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started my love of decorating at a young age thanks to my mom. She always and still loves to decorate. I would follow along and we would even have mini disagreements about colors and what to put with what, as a matter of fact, we just had that disagreement the other day. As I grew up, I used those times to continue to grow my love for decorating.
I decorated my home and invited everyone over for a housewarming and everyone loved the decor and started asking me to decorate rooms or their whole home. I thought this will be a cool side job on the weekends and could still work during the week. Even though it was a hobby, I decided to name it and Expressions of Decor was born. Yes, it was born from decorating houses. I had not ventured into the world of wedding decor until one day a childhood friend asked me if I did weddings and I was like nope! She continued and said if you can do houses surely you can do weddings, so I agreed and did the wedding. I loved it!! So much so I changed my focus to decorating weddings instead of houses.
I started with silk flower design, but at the time no one really wanted silk, they wanted real flowers. So, I literally bought real flowers to study them. I researched, I studied, I read every book and started designing real flower arrangements. I would have some of them delivered to my job just so that I could get a real reaction from some of my co-workers. I also brought some in to get reactions. They loved them!! After much encouragement, my final test was at a local bridal show and they were a success.
Expressions of Decor was no longer a side job when I ventured into flowers and wedding design. I decided to stop working full time for a company and start working full time for Expressions of Decor, where “We express your style with flowers and decor!”
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The road is not always smooth in this industry. You will have your ups and downs cause business does fluctuate. I’ve had times when I am busy, busy, busy and then to have months where it slows down and I think is my website working? I’ve learned to be prepared for and willing to adapt to change, because those times when you are not, do hurt! I have built some great working relationships but also learned that you can’t please everyone. My biggest lesson along the way was to remain true to myself and my business.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Expressions of Decor – what should we know?
Expressions of Decor is a floral and event design company, specializing in weddings, parties and events. Still building off my background in decor, I love transferring that over into weddings with tablescapes and all things pretty. My brides often tell me, ” This is more than I expected” and my staff knowing that I am a bit extra often ask me, ” Did they pay for you to include this?” I reply with, ” Well, I think the tables and/or ceremony need a little something extra, don’t forget to put it in the packing tub”. I love the details, going the extra mile and genuinely caring about my clients, that Expressions of Decor will continue on the journey as we approach 15 plus years in business.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1137 Conveyor Ln.
Suite 105
Dallas, Texas 75247 - Website: www.expressionsofdecor.com
- Phone: 469-688-9788
- Email: slong@expressionsofdecor.com
- Instagram: @expressionsofdecor
- Facebook: Expressions of Decor
- Twitter: @ExpressofDecor
Image Credit:
Matt and Ivy Photography
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