Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen Wolchik.
Kristen, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started working in a little flower shop in Allen, TX when I was 22 mostly to learn about flowers, mechanics, and just because I loved being around flowers. I did everything a typical person does in a small shop from processing, to designing, to delivery, and cleaning. Eventually, I had friends that started to ask me for pieces (I had also gotten a full-time office job in the meantime, but still worked in the shop on the weekends) and then co-workers started asking if I could design their wedding floral, so I did! I kept the office job for about another 5 years, all while growing the business from referrals and word of mouth, I decided it was do or die time if I was going to make this business my main focus! I picked up 1 company to advertise with (that’s all I could afford!) and continued to pursue business via word of mouth, happy brides, and happy clients.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has definitely not been a smooth ride! Without a ton (or no) of money in the bank, building a business from scratch it was bumpy to balance sustaining living all still while going above and beyond for clients and keep happy clients my main form of advertising. I also designed weddings out of my apartment for years… space and keeping flowers cool was the main focus. I’d often have no walking room in my kitchen, dining room, and living room with the A/C turned down as cold as I could stand it! Being almost a one-woman show, I had to process, clean, organize, design, pack everything for the weddings then go install it and tear it down… plus, answer all the emails and phone calls related to the weddings or inquiries! I’d often beg friends to come to help me strip hundreds of flowers to make them ready to design with… thank God for amazing friends!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Haute Floral – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
We specialize in weddings and corporate events. We are known for lush floral tailored to a client’s wishes. As far as what I’m most proud of as a company, it’s the family dynamic behind the scenes that staff can have a rough day or week, and we band together to help each other whether personal or business related. We carry that same view over to clients and are concerned not just about their wedding or event, but to make sure we can help do anything possible to brighten somebody’s day or moment in their life. I know most people say you shouldn’t overstep those boundaries, but I can’t help to think about a bride that may have recently lost a parent or family member and how that may overshadow their event which is generally a celebratory occasion. We strive to turn difficult moments into joyous memories!
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
We are working several things! We are building a stronger brand image for an elite presentation of our products and towards building more corporate clientele! No major changes to be announced yet… those are still secret! 😉
Contact Info:
- Address: Haute Floral
2431 Shorecrest Dr. Ste. D9
Dallas, TX 75235 - Website: www.hautefloral.com
- Phone: 214.578.6046
- Email: info@hautefloral.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/hautefloral
Image Credit:
Rosy Gaytan, Kate Pease, Delaney Dobson
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