Today we’d like to introduce you to Azar Shahbazi.
Azar, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I worked as software engineer in telecommunication companies for over 30 years, but I have always had a passion and love for flowers and floral design. Since I was a child, I always dreamed of having my own flower shop. While I was having my office job, I took several floral design classes, worked in a couple of flower shops and did wedding flowers for family and friends.
Back in 2014, when my last company moved out of state, I decided to retire from engineering and pursue my childhood dream. I started working on my garage and just did wedding and scheduled an event and after 2 years, my business grew and I opened the shop in Addison. I have always loved working with flowers and creating new and unique designs, but interacting with people and getting to meet so many wonderful people is certainly a huge bonus, I never had a chance to meet so many people in my previous career.
I think most of my clients feel my passion and they know my business is more about sharing the beauty of flowers and what can be designed for their needs, than just making money. Besides weddings, events, funerals, I do custom made arrangements per order.
Most of my clients, just give me a budget to work with and let me design something specific for a person or a special occasion. I really believe when you put your heart in your design and your work, your work touches people’s heart. The last few years have been the most rewarding years of my life, I love seeing brides reaction with happy tears when they see their bouquets for the first time and happy smiles on people’s faces when they receive the flowers.
I am grateful for my clients who have given me the kindest and the most wonderful reviews. And my mission is to keep my clients happy and smiling all the time.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Starting a business that you are passionate about, is very rewarding. But with my engineering background, I had to learn a lot of new skills and overcome some challenges. Doing the floral design is certainly the fun part of the business, but I had to learn the right marketing techniques, find out the best advertising venues, learn about budgeting and pricing.
I am the sole owner of the business, so I have been basically living at the shop the last couple of years. I had to give up on going on vacations and have my own social life on hold since the weddings are usually over the weekend. But I have a couple of good assistants and getting comfortable with the daily activities and definitely more relaxed with my schedule.
Please tell us about Nirvana Flowers and Gifts.
We specialized wedding and event flowers, working with exotic flowers and creating new designs that are unique and custom made for my customers. We are proud of the beautiful, quality arrangements that we create and the fact that our work is appreciated and valued by many people. We really listen to our customers and try our best to make them happy. Our arrangements are for people with exquisite taste who want a beautiful, quality work.
From weddings to special events and funerals, we can always create an arrangement that is personal and unique.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I really can’t think of a lot of things I would have done differently. Maybe spending my marketing and advertisement budget more wisely and better venues. But overall I am happy the way everything is now.
Contact Info:
- Address: 14811 Inwood Road
Addison, Tx 75001 - Website: www.nirvanaflowers.com
- Phone: 4695472081
- Email: azar@nirvanaflowers.com
- Instagram: @AzarNirvana
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nirvanaflowersandgifts/
- Twitter: @AzarNirvana
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/nirvana-flowers-and-gifts-addison-2
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