Eight years ago today this journey started, eight years ago!!.. I always like to take this day and think about where I've been and where I'm going. Wow, 8 years.... The first 5 years is all about making it, surviving, proving it'll work. I was told that by many other business owners and boy were they right. The last 3 years came & went, every year seems to pass quicker than the last. I've been thinking about how this all started, just a young girl with a dream. I laugh at my naivete, at the time I started Bella Fiori I probably knew less than 20 people in Denver. Yes, less than 20 people!
Thankfully I am stubborn and that trait is probably why this all worked. Plenty of people told me it wouldn't work. Oh well, I didn't listen. Probably the best business advice I could give someone starting a business based on their dreams - believe in yourself, don't listen to nay-sayers and be stubborn.
This year ahead looks wonderful & exciting, full of new adventures. This Sunday I'm going to NYC to meet up with 17 other floral designers from around the country. We have quite the adventure planned; class w/ David Beahm, visits to NYC flower district, taping of the Martha Stewart show, visit to Ovando flower shop and the list goes on.
In April I'm going to Amsterdam & Paris with my friend, Kaye. Kaye was actually one of the first people I met in this business (caterer). I'm so excited to check out Aalsmeer, the largest flower auction in the world!!
The biggest adventure of the year will be the release of my book. Yes, I'm publishing a book. It's currently in the lay-out phase with the designer. A big thank you to the brides and photographers who have agreed to have their weddings & work in the book. And a huge thank you to my flower friends who have listened to my ideas, looked at the photographs, helped decide which ones should be included. I'm so thankful for my BFFs (best flower friends). It's a huge project and I can hardly wait until it is released. Once we have a better idea of when the book will be released I will be putting that information on this blog. Oh, it is a design book all about bridal and bridesmaids' bouquets...
hmm... that's actually just a sampling of the what's coming this year. There are a few other things in the works, of course, they'll be posted on this blog as they happen.
Most importantly, thank you to all the brides who have let me be part of their day! Thank you to the brides from the last 8 seasons and to the brides of this coming year. Thank you to all the amazing vendors I know, who make me laugh on a daily basis & who keep me amused. Thank you to Chad who definitely keeps me amused. He is doing a wonderful job running Bella Rents and is always helping me with my Bella Fiori projects. Seriously, you should see what he is building for me (huge aspen arch). I have an idea and he builds it, how cool is that??
We are having fun & that's a good thing. ;)
