As my florist business establishes it's footing away from my old farm in Harrisburg and onto new territory in Philomath and Corvallis areas, I often reflect on the differences of this new endeavor. The farm was so much hard work and most of the time I was just going from one fire to the next it seemed. The highs were high, and the lows were ... pretty damn low. However, the work and the setting were pure magic.
But one thing that hasn't changed and probably never will change, is the idea that I get to use my flowers however I want. One thing about selling a perishable product, like food, some flowers do hit their expiration date before I can sell them. I aim to sell the freshest, most pristine flowers in my arrangements and often I end of with a lot of product that I cannot sell. Floristry is a bit of a gamble; we have to over-buy product to ensure that we don't run out and everyone in this business ends up with left-overs. Now, that might seem kind of sad and wasteful but believe me - I don't ever throw flowers away now! (I used to compost them on the farm...) They still have value to me and often my friends or others will enjoy the abundance.
I began thinking about my flowers as currency. As a florist, I am somewhat of a tradesman. I have a specific skill and market resources in my community for this skill. However, I have so many other wonderful friends and community members with other amazing skills that I find valuable. This holiday season, I traded evergreen wreaths in exchange for wine from my friends who are winemakers. And we both love it, score! I have a friend who is a skilled massage therapist and I can't always afford her services. She graciously offered a steep discount on an hour long massage in exchange for flowers. My mother is a ceramics artist and when we were little, she would always trade her pottery for other gifts at the craft market. I get it now, ma! It can make for so much more of a meaningful connection and establishes value for each our skills and crafts that cannot be undercut.
The other way I use flowers that I can't sell is marketing! I am still building my customer base here in the area and I often deliver fliers or reach out about my services. If I add on a free arrangement as a giveaway when marketing my services, it really makes an impact. Even if they don't reach out right away, the flowers are a little reminder that entices them with beauty and scent to call me next time they want to place an order.
Being able to utilize product that I can't sell traditionally as a florist is so important to me. It makes me feel so much better, especially as a new business owner, that I can still use my product and skills to trade and spread more flower love in my community. Of course I will constantly be fine tuning my ordering so that I don't have as much waste but for now, it makes life a little easier when things are tight. And I will be happy whenever my flowers get out there in this strange world and make someone's day.
Pami
Comments