A New Year (Part 2): Looking Forward
After spending several weeks reflecting on 2022 and the last few years of building up this little business, I think I've honed in on what works for me. This year I am going to focus my energy on four components of my business:
Subscription deliveries vary in size and flower types throughout the season, depending on what and how much is available in the garden. photo: Kaylin Pinkett Photography
Subscriptions: I started my annual subscription service a little over two years ago and have over a dozen subscribers. These wonderful people receive a seasonal arrangement once per month for a whole year and are the backbone of my business, providing consistent support throughout the year and a regular delivery schedule that I can count on. Since last season, I also offer a seasonal subscription in Spring, Winter, and Fall. I will offer this again this year, though I am still working out the details.
Everyday Deliveries: This is the very first service that I provided when I started my business in 2019. I love creating flower arrangements and bouquets for you and your loved ones for special occasions (or just because). Since the beginning, I have offered free delivery in the city of Bellingham and a set rate for surrounding areas. As my business grows and the costs of doing business have revealed themselves, I will be changing to a new system of calculating delivery fees based on mileage sometime in the next few months. I am also working on partnering with a nearby business so that I can offer free pick-up at this location for these everyday orders.
These subdued rainbow bouquets were so much fun to make for this sweet bride's unique vision. photo: Amanda White Weddings
Weddings: I did my first few weddings in 2021, and a whole lot more last season. I love designing seasonally-inspired wedding florals for couples who love color, texture, movement, and nature-inspired shapes. For this coming season, I created a brochure that explains my process, costs, style, and values with lots of beautiful images from the weddings I've done in the last few years. If you are interested in seeing my brochure, email me and I can send it to you: humblebouquet@gmail.com
I am planning to book a few more weddings for 2023 and am also already booking for 2024. Feel free to reach out to see if I have your date available.
This garden-inspired floral arranging workshop at Garden Spot Nursery in Bellingham, WA was a hit. Participants left with their beautiful centerpieces and the confidence to make their own arrangements. photo: Kaylin Pinkett Photography
Workshops: Last year I taught my first workshop and loved it way more than I thought I would. I brought buckets and buckets of flowers from my garden and from a local flower farm, plus vases, garden scissors, and treats. The participants created some gorgeous garden-inspired centerpieces. This year I am planning to teach a few public workshops and also to make myself and my flowers available for private workshops, such as for team-building events, birthday parties, and other small group events. Inquire about availability at: humblebouquet@gmail.com
In 2023, I'm doing the things that I love, passing on some things that didn't work for me in the past, and am making some space in my schedule and my garden for exploring new passions (like growing tea plants/flowers and making my own herbal tea, growing more edibles for my children's foraging fingers, and cooking with whole and fresh ingredients). I am also taking more weekends off for family adventures and taking more time to learn how to be a better gardener for the earth, my own enjoyment, and for the wildlife and plants that I care for.
I hope you are planning a fulfilling, healthy, and successful 2023!