New Year, New Relationships
Each New Year I focus my energy to a single task in my business. As a multi-service entrepreneur, it is easy to put too many to-dos on my plate, so instead, I try to focus on one over-arching task each season
New Year, New Relationships
Each New Year I focus my energy to a single task in my business. As a multi-service entrepreneur, it is easy to put too many to-dos on my plate, so instead, I try to focus on one over-arching task each season.
Last year it was ‘learn how to raise cattle in 18 months versus 24 months’ and ‘grow my online portfolio’ in weddings.
At the end of last year, I’d completed both of these tasks but I felt more alone than ever. Now, I’m an introvert through and through, but this sense of being alone was deep, deeper than I ever thought and ever let myself recognize.
So, per usual I sat down at the end of the year, reconciled my books, looked through the data I’d collected on both the farm and weddings I’d designed for and said, ‘what’s next’. (ps. I love these ‘mundane’ tasks and usually find myself caught up in them). This year it wasn’t a black and white task that came to the forefront of my mind. It was this ‘feeling’ (which I’m not always good at recognizing) in place of a ‘learn this’ or ‘achieve this’ task.
It was the desire to form meaningful relationships.
Sure, it is easy to preach ‘know your farmer’ but I started to question what steps I’d actually taken to know people in my community. What steps had I taken to know the people who trust and buy from me? What did my stance on ‘know your farmer’ actually means to me, this introverted farmer who loves animals and gets anxious in crowds? I have fear, I lack confidence and ultimately it’s been what’s kept me from truly living what I so desperately wanted for my customers. For them to know me, their farmer.
The same became so drastically apparent in my wedding design as well. I’ve met vendors, had coffee with vendors and made some friends in the industry. I’ve serviced my brides, openly communicated with them and had a very happy experience with each of them over the course of the year. But, these people that I’ve met, had coffee with and serviced always seemed to be an arms distance away. Not because I’ve purposefully decided to keep a distance, but instead I chose to lean into what comes naturally to me as an introvert. But, ultimately as a person, I need relationships with more meaning.
I now see how vital relationships are for every person. Every introvert, every extrovert, every entrepreneur, every mother, father, sibling, and the list goes on. We all crave more meaningful relationships in our lives. I think it has become more apparent to me as an entrepreneur because so much of ‘marketing’ and ‘running a business’ seems to be done on the other side of a screen.
And while all that ‘screen time’ is necessary it’s time to practice what I preach and form relationships with you, with my readers, with my customers and clients and those who receive my weekly emails.
So, that is what 2020 is going to look like for me and this business. I’m focused on getting out of my comfort zone, getting to know all the special people that surround me and welcoming you into the pretty and not so pretty parts of running a farm and floral business. I hope to get to know you better and share more of myself with you this decade.
I’d love to meet you, and I’d like to formally welcome you to join me at an event this season. Let’s get to know each other better.
Floral | 10 Helpful Questions to Ask Your Florist
You’re engaged, congrats! This is such an exciting time and while it may seem overwhelming all the details that need decisions, your floral should be a fun part of the process.
10 Questions to Ask Your Florist
You’re engaged, congrats! This is such an exciting time and while it may seem overwhelming all the details that need decisions, your floral should be a fun part of the process.
Today I’m sharing some of the top 10 questions to ask your florist during your first consultation. It is my hope that by asking these questions you can feel confident in making your floral decisions.
10 Questions to ask
What flowers are likely to be in season?
Are my floral requests in line with my budget?
What recommendations can you make to keep the cost within my budget?
Do you provide any vases/decor? If so, is there a fee for using these items?
Do you deliver, set up and tear down?
Can I send arrangements home with guests?
How do you coordinate delivery at different ceremony and reception venues?
When do you schedule tear-down?
How many weddings to you do per weekend? If you book multiple weddings per day how do you handle my delivery?
What does your booking and future communication process look like?
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Floral | When Should I Contact a Wedding Florist?
While it might seem crazy to call on a wedding florist over a year in advance, if you know who you want to work with be sure to reach out to them early!
When should I contact a wedding florist?
Early. While it might seem crazy to call on a wedding florist over a year in advance, if you know who you want to work with be sure to reach out to them early! It is very common for florists to be booking a year or more in advance.
My general ‘rule’ is if you have your venue, your colors, a general idea of what you want for flowers (centerpieces, large alter arrangements, aisle flowers, bouquets and boutineers), photos of flowers you love and a budget you have enough to reach out.
So, put together a list of your floral ideas and contact that florist you’ve been dying to work with!
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Floral | Tripp Commons - UW Memorial Union Wedding
I seriously have the.best.job. because of incredible people like Sarah and Colin.
A UW Memorial Union Wedding
I seriously have the.best.job. because of incredible people like Sarah and Colin.
I hadn’t met Sarah or Colin until their wedding day, all of our correspondence up to the wedding was via phone or email because they both live in the windy city of Chicago.
These two are so incredibly sweet and kind-hearted and I was so honored to be entrusted with their wedding flowers even though we’d never met.
The funnest part of their wedding day is that 29 years ago my parent’s held their reception in Tripp Commons at the UW Memorial Union. It was such a beautiful way for me to envision where their love story came together.
Sarah and Colin it was my greatest pleasure to work with you. I wish you all the blessings in your marriage, cheers!
Photos courtesy of Andy Stenz Photography
They celebrated with a beautiful lake-side ceremony just above the UW Memorial Union Terrace.
Their ceremony was followed by an inviting reception hosted in Tripp Commons.
Floral | A Bishop's Bay Country Club Wedding
Morgan and Jake’s day was positively spectacular. Morgan’s eye for the details made their special day come together in a breathtaking display of love and beauty.
A Bishop’s Bay Country Club Wedding
Morgan and Jake’s day was positively spectacular. Morgan’s eye for the details made their special day come together in a breathtaking display of love and beauty.
Photography by Santiago Murillo Photography
Floral | A June Wedding at The Lagaret, Stoughton Wisconsin
Mike and Kristen’s wedding day was nothing short of stunning. With personal details throughout their special day, a host of incredible vendors including Ruthie Hauge Photography and KIS Event Planning their wedding day came together so perfectly.
A June Wedding at The Lageret
Mike and Kristen’s wedding day was nothing short of stunning. With personal details throughout their special day, a host of incredible vendors including Ruthie Hauge Photography and KIS Event Planning their wedding day came together so perfectly.
Using heavy greenery and white and blush blooms to compliment their sophisticated yet youthful vibes, I created some of my favorite floral arrangements to date.
It was such an honor creating the wedding flowers for these two and cheers to all the years to come Kristen and Mike!
Floral | FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do wedding flowers cost?
Pricing will depend on the size of your bouquets, the number of attendants you have, the size of your centerpieces and your ‘extra’s’.
However, most of my bride’s spend between $2,200-$4,000
Do you offer complimentary consultations?
Yes! Let’s meet for coffee or wine and chat all things flowers!
Who should I bring to my consultation?
Bring whoever will support your individual taste! Just like dress shopping too many ‘cooks in the kitchen’ can distract you from choosing the flowers YOU love. It is also a good idea to bring whoever will be putting down your floral deposit. While I don’t accept deposits until you receive a formal proposal, it is a good idea to bring them with you so you can be on the same page when it comes to pricing and options.
What if I don't know anything about flowers?
That’s totally OK, I’m here to help! Bring images with you to your consultation and I will help you formulate a floral palette that will best fit your personal aesthetic.
Do I need to purchase vases?
You do not! I have a selection of vases that you’re welcome to use for your event, they are complimentary.
Am I the only bride you’ll work with on my wedding weekend?
If you’re booking full-service flowers then yes, you’ll be my only wedding that day. If you’re looking for floral styling only it is likely I will book another wedding on your date. But, rest assured your flowers will get my best attention no matter what service level you choose.
Do you offer delivery and tear down?
I provide full-service delivery and installation. I do not offer night-of tear down but am happy to work with you to pick up any rentals the week after your event.
If my wedding is outside of Madison, can I still work with you?
Absolutely! I work with couples getting married within a 45 minute radius of my farm in Belleville, Wisconsin. If you’re outside of this radius I would still love to work with you, but I have a floral minimum of $4,000 + travel fees.
Do you create samples of bouquets and centerpieces?
I can not. I am a small shop that works with seasonal flowers and create them for my individual couples, meaning I don’t have ‘extra’ flowers on hand. Each floral creation highlights flowers that are in-season and that are at the top of their game the week of your wedding. This decision was made to make insure you’re getting fresh, beautiful flowers on your special day. However, I can guarantee that the flowers selected will match your vision and will incorporate any ‘must have’ flowers.
What does it look like to book with you?
Booking is rather simple.
Book your consultation
Let’s have coffee or wine and discuss your vision
I will create a custom proposal for you
Review your proposal
Send in your deposit
Check flowers off your ‘to-do’ list!
Floral | Vendor - Blushing Willow Bridal
I’ve worked with Kassie on several occasions and she is one of the kindest vendors I’ve ever met
Photo by Ruthie Hauge Photography
Blushing Willow Bridal
One of the things that makes my job so fun is getting to know and become friends with some talented, passionate and inspiring vendors. Today I’m sharing one of these vendors with you.
A beautiful bridal boutique
I’ve worked with Kassie on several occasions and she is one of the kindest vendors I’ve ever met. Kassie started Blushing Willow Bridal out of pure passion as many vendors do. She saw a need in the bridal industry and instead of clinging to her degree she felt called to fill that gap by going out of her comfort zone and opening her very own boutique dress shop.
Kassie has some of the most GORGEOUS dresses and she literally blows me away each and every time we get the chance to work together. She see’s all the details and is on her toes to make every woman that wears her dresses to feel their very best.
If you’re looking for a hands-on vendor who will be there to help you select your perfect dress look no further. Say yes to a dress with Kassie and you even get to celebrate with a pink bottle of champagne. Need I say more?! Oh wait, yes I do, her space is absolutely INCREDIBLE and it stands out from the crowd.
Homestead | Ringing in a new year
This is always my favorite time of year. I’m a dreamer and a do’er and I thrive on setting goals. So, this time of year always energizes me as I look back at last year and look forward to a new year in front of me.
ringing in a new year at homestead
This is always my favorite time of year. I’m a dreamer and a do’er and I thrive on setting goals. So, this time of year always energizes me as I look back at last year and look forward to a new year in front of me.
Some of the things I’m looking forward in this new business year is: growing our leather offerings, maintaining our growth in our herd, posting a vlog on a monthly basis to show more of the farm and floral studio with you, welcoming my first couple to the floral studio, celebrating with double the couples than I did in 2018 and taking classes to improve my knowledge in some of my weakest areas.
A New Year wouldn't be the same without thinking about where you’re going right? Last year I focused on being intentional. It was a beautiful year in many respects because I left one thing to focus on. I developed systems for more efficiently running my business, I focused on what really mattered in developing this farm and I connected with so many amazing vendors, farmers and couples that allowed me to grow both in my business but also in my personal confidence.
Intentional thinking and buying is now part of my daily business routine. I find myself consciously thinking through every decision, how it benefits my work flow or my customers and I’m thankful for a year that helped me develop this skill. It conveniently translated into my personal life and buying and I’ve begun to find myself focusing so much more on my community than I did in years past.
With last year’s success in intertwining intentional thinking into my daily life I’m excited to focus on another area this year. This year I’ve decided to focus on balance. Last year the farm controlled our entire life. While it was a season, and really a much needed season for the growth of this business, this year I want to balance business and personal growth. I want to balance the amount of time I’m developing this business and the amount of time I’m spending with Matt doing things we love together. While it won’t be a perfect 50/50 balance, I’m excited to push myself to work less and enjoy our time together without distractions even more. I anticipate that taking some time away from work will help me develop this business even further than I could if I spent every hour trying to make it work.
I hope you’ve had some time to reflect on what you’re seeking this year in your career and personal life. Let’s make 2019 the best year yet!
Floral | September Wedding Inspiration
Oh.my.goodness! It’s incredible the beauty that happens when vendors come together creatively. I’ve been honored to get to spend this year getting to know and work with some of Madison’s passionate wedding vendors.
September Wedding Inspiration
Oh.my.goodness! It’s incredible the beauty that happens when vendors come together creatively. I’ve been honored to get to spend this year getting to know and work with some of Madison’s passionate wedding vendors.
Jamie with HYPE Event Planning pulled together some talent for this shoot and I think all of us stood back after set-up in AWE of what can be created by some talented people and a lot of passion for our industry. It’s a pleasure to share this shoot with you today and I hope you are inspired to seek one of these lovely people out for your special day.
A huge shout out to the following vendors
Floral | What to bring to your first floral consultation
So you’ve found a florist you’re dying to work with. Your florist is probably ecstatic about working with you because she knows if you can’t wait to work with her you’re probably her perfect match. So what is your florist going to need from you during your first consultation?
So you’ve found a florist you’re dying to work with. Your florist is probably ecstatic about working with you because she knows if you can’t wait to work with her you’re probably her perfect match. So what is your florist going to need from you during your first consultation? Here’s an un-exhaustive list to help you and your florist create something beautiful together.
Details of your venue and pictures if you have them!
Venues pop up every day. Expecting your florist to have been to every venue is like asking if someone has seen every Disney movie, they may have seen a lot but probably not every one.
Details of your floral vision.
Again pictures are SUPER helpful here. While your favorite flower colors are absolutely important it is more helpful for us to see your vision in its entirety. Are you going for a modern, bohemian, classic, rustic or a blend of these styles on your big day? Are you after flower walls or just some simple centerpieces.
Pictures of your bridesmaid dresses and your’s.
If you have pictures and the colors of your dresses it really helps give us a sense of colors and how we can best compliment your attire.
Colors of the groom’s and groomsmen attire.
Just like it’s helpful to know what color dress we’re looking to compliment let’s make sure the men look just as stunning.
Guest count estimate. Knowing roughly 200 people is helpful.
We can figure out how many tables based on these rough counts and can give you a more accurate proposal. We understand that 200 invites doesn’t mean 200 guests but it gives us a good place to start.
Details that are important for us to incorporate.
Lace from your grandmother’s gown you want to be wrapped around your bouquet - things like this will help guide some of our discussion on these details.
An idea of your floral ‘dream’.
Centerpieces, arbor garlands, swooping garlands behind your head table, sprigs of green on every chair. Let us know what you’re looking for!
Your target budget
Now, this isn’t last on my list because it’s the least important thing to bring to your meeting. It’s the MOST important piece of information you can bring to your initial consultation so I wanted to end with this so it’s fresh in your mind. Knowing your budget helps us help you craft a design that is within your budget. We’d hate to send you a proposal for the $20,000 Pinterest wedding when your budget is $2500. Pinterest is the queen of stunning, over the top, unique arrangements and floral installations, but they don’t fit every budget. If you know what your target budget is we can help craft a beautiful day and give advice on ways to cut costs if necessary. If you don’t tell us we can’t help but propose everything you ask for, and we’d hate to give you unnecessary sticker shock.
So, while this is not an exhaustive list it can help guide your thinking. It will also give you and your florists a good place to start discussions about what is going to make your day uniquely yours.
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A Small Business Owner
a small business owner
As I reflect on our first year in business I am reminded why it all started in the first place. I never assumed I would be a small business owner. Quite frankly I said I would never be a small business owner and many can vouch for that. I came to that realization over my many years of working in very small businesses as well as being the daughter of a small business owner. While each person was so passionate about their work, it came with a load of stress that I never wanted in my life. Or so I thought...
As I entered the professional world of landscape design I started to realize something. I was working because I had to, I had a lack of passion for what I was doing in my professional role. I thought about making a career change; but, I just couldn’t figure out what that was going to be. I knew my passion and my ideas weren’t fitting the mould of my selected career path. I was passionate about making outdoor spaces as comfortable and liveable as the indoor spaces we live in, and I wasn’t finding that anywhere I looked.
However, like I said I never WANTED to be a business owner. I was afraid of walking away from a steady paycheck, I was afraid of taking a chance on myself, I was afraid of working all the time, and I was afraid of letting my clients down. These are things that all of the small business owners in my life had to face.
So, how did I become a small business owner? Well, with a lot of faith from Matthew, my family and all those small business owners that had surrounded me for years, that is how. I knew what I wanted to do. I knew what I wanted to create. I just needed the faith in myself and my idea.
So, in December 2015 I took the plunge and established Homestead Designs. With that I have found passion for my career like I never thought possible. I was able to bring my passion to the market and have people respond both positively and critically. My first year as a business owner came with a lot of learning and I must admit a little self-doubt. I truly appreciate the opportunities that each and every client has given me, to wake up and love what I am doing. You took a chance on me, and thank you for that.
As if one company wasn’t enough… it wasn’t for me. My passion lies heavily in creating outdoor living spaces, but it also lies in the details of events. Thus, Homestead Florals. This year was about taking chances on my ideas. I was passionate about serving a client that I could so easily relate to as a new wife, brides. I love creating floral designs that compliment such beautiful events and I am so honored to be trusted with such important days and events in people’s lives. I am looking forward to my first full year as a floral designer.
Homestead Meats, well that is a topic for another day.
-Brit