Today we’d like to introduce you to Lindsey Retan.
Hi Lindsey, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I began my floral journey when I was 16 years old at a local flower shop. I learned a few basics of the business but was only allowed to make rose arrangements. As a young blossoming artists, this felt very limiting! So, needless to say, I looked elsewhere and found another flower shop that would allow me to grow as a floral designer. The shop was locally owned and operated by the Zimmermann family named Z’s Florist. At the time, they had 3 shops in the Dallas area. I worked at the Plano location for three years while obtaining my Associates of Art of Degree from Collin College. At Z’s Florist, I learned how to run a floral shop. From making all types of arrangements, to weddings, funerals, bar/bat mitzvahs, etc., I had the opportunity to learn and grow as a floral designer. Steven, Z’s owner and I joke today how I was so critical of his designs and wanted to edit every opportunity I could get.
Continuing my education, I moved to Denton to get my Bachelor’s degree in Fine Art focused in Sculpture. Here I learned how to build with a multitude of materials and explore deeper sculptural concepts. I also worked at several flowers shops very part-time while obtaining my degree.
After college, I started teaching art lessons and found myself substitute teaching as well. Apparently, they liked my pedagogy; and hired me to work part-time in the Early Childhood Center at Akiba Yavneh academy of Dallas. I enjoyed working with children so much that I went back to school to obtain my Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education.
During this time, I built my own early childhood art studio in the school and created my own emergent curriculum. While working as an early childhood art teacher, I would help friends and family with flowers for special events, but for fun. My love of flowers never wained. I would take the children outside to observe nature and draw what they saw. We took pictures of flowers and painted our sights. I would teach lessons based on Vincent Van Gogh’s sunflowers and Georgia O’keeffe’s poppies. Flowers are always a constant.
During covid, I spent a lot of time at home. My second son was 3 weeks old when the shutdown started. When the next school year was about to begin, Aug 2020, I wasn’t ready to go back to the classroom and was allowed to teach from home on Zoom to families and young children.
While at home, my interests brought me back to flowers. One day, my friend said, “You should really start a flower business…” and I listened! Shabbos Blooms, Flowers by Lindsey was born June 2021. I navigated through all of the legal hoops and set up a website in which my sister helped to create and consistently manages.
I created my flower studio in my garage. I went to several Jewish businesses asking to buy my flowers and keep them in their locations as a way of marketing. I approached The Market Local Comfort Cafe and they suggested that I sell my flowers in their restaurant on Fridays for Shabbat in which I gladly accepted. They didn’t charge me rent or anything; they wanted to see me become successful. But how would I do this working full-time at the school? Luckily, I worked out my schedule where I could work a half day on Friday so that I could sit at The Market in the afternoon selling flowers. Well, what about the morning crowd at The Market (they are a breakfast/lunch place)? I hired my first assistant to help me sell flowers in the morning. She also helped me in the shop on Thursdays to prepare the arrangements to sell on Fridays.
I received my flowers on Wednesdays, make the arrangements on Thursdays, and sell on Fridays – no need for floral cooler. I never keep the flowers longer than 2-3 days, which is why I can always guarantee that my flowers are fresh. Sitting at The Market was an excellent marketing opportunity. I grew the word of Shabbos Blooms through all of the customers at The Market. However, business was good; I just wasn’t really making a profit. It was a good week when I broke even. I would show up with my perishable product, just hoping people would buy, but sometimes they didn’t, and I was left with lots of leftover flowers that I could really sell.
So, I was faced with the challenge, how do I make this business successful? What’s my definition of success? How do I do all of the things and make time for my most important gift? – my family. I realized what I needed to do – become an event florist for Jewish events – bar/bat mitzvahs, galas, special dinners, weddings, etc. I began teaching floral design classes as well (putting both my passions together!)
I was so excited to take on this new challenge; however, my family suffered. I was up late making arrangements, forgetting important family matters, calling for take-out more than necessary. I knew I needed to make a change. As someone who almost never quits, I decided to end my 15-year career as the early childhood art studio teacher. This decision didn’t come easily. I was giving up something I created from the ground up and editing my identity as “Morah Lindsey” (teacher Lindsey) to business owner, florist, and designer, Lindsey Retan. “When you say “no” to something, you really are just saying “yes” to something else.” I’m saying yes to flexible hours, I’m saying yes to my husband and my children, I’m saying yes to helping the Jewish community. I’m excited to delve full-time into my art. My flowers. My floral design. Starting this month, I will be a full-time florist, mommy, and wife, and I’m looking forward to what the future brings.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
-balancing work/life
– working two jobs, being a mother, wife
-learning the business/ legal side of owning a business
-marketing self doesn’t come naturally
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I design all of my arrangements as centerpieces for holiday or special occasion tablescapes. The arrangements can range dramatically; They can be low or tall, compact or airy, colorful or muted, symmetrical or asymmetrical, etc. I love utilizing texture in my work – physical and visual! As a base, I enjoy using a variety of different greens to create this texture. The flowers speak for themselves. I will typically group flowers by looking for a small, medium and large varieties. When I teach floral design classes, I relate this to a movie or a show – The biggest flower is the star, the medium flowers are the supporting actors, the smallest flowers (filler flowers) are the extras, and the greens are the stage. For my standard creations, I have 3 color pallets to work from – Bright & Bold (hot pink, purple, orange, bright green, etc.), Soft Pastel (white, light pink, lavender, light peach, sage, etc.), and Dark & Dramatic (maroon, plum, dark green, etc.)
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
My sculptor background allows me to build unique armatures to suspend and house the flowers. I love visual movement and energy in my work
I’m inspired by my clients; I enjoy creating floral arrangements that fit the event perfectly. Name the vibe, and I can create that feel. Show me an inspiration picture, and I can recreate the look. I respect my client’s budget and find flowers that will work for every price point.
I only use the freshest flowers from wholesale distributers – I do not buy grocery store flowers!
I pour my heart and soul into every floral arrangement I make – I even think about the person who will be receiving the flowers as I’m creating the arrangement!
Contact Info:
- Website: Shabbosblooms.com
- Instagram: @shabbosblooms
- Facebook: Shabbos Blooms, Flowers by Lindsey
Image Credits
@detallesbym
Malke Brookler
Rachel Henry
Roz Naor
