Today we’d like to introduce you to Beth Hanson.
Hi Beth, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
My career path started out as an elementary educator, but as much as I enjoyed teaching, I always felt a pull in a different direction. For 10 summers, I worked in a greenhouse. I LOVED it and could not get enough growing and gardening knowledge. It probably comes as no surprise that I ended up working at a local florist. I am forever grateful for the introduction to the floral community, the incredibly talented designers that taught me so much, and the opportunities I shared there.
I knew that I wanted to continue in the floral community, but as our family grew, a traditional florist just didn’t fit our life. For Floral Sake came to be in 2020 and it is far from a traditional florist. I operate out of a studio space, so I don’t have a separate building that is open to the public – almost all orders, communication, and connection are online.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Launching a business in 2020 came with its own set of challenges. To say that I was a little terrified to open a business at the height of a worldwide pandemic is an understatement! Who starts a business like that?! I did.
However, I am glad that I did. I considered a storefront, but that option shifted when pandemic regulations restricted traditional brick-and-mortar shopping.
There were upsides to shifting the business plan though, of course, there were overhead cost savings, but more importantly, people were shopping online even more than before… so an online-based floral studio wasn’t such a bad idea. On a personal note, we had one little baby in our family and another on the way. I am fortunate for my time and flexible schedule with our kiddos.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Like many businesses, there are many facets to For Floral Sake. We enhance special events and celebrations with flowers and plants for weddings, corporate events, memorable occasions, seasonal specials, flower subscriptions, plant subscriptions, and do-it-yourself, instructor-led classes. While our floral studio offers a variety of services, our approach is proactive in planning which delivers a worry-free experience.
Owning a business is both highly rewarding and increasingly challenging. There are always opportunities to try new things and explore ways to better your business. However, through taking risks and trying new things, I have experienced MANY hard lessons learned.
I think the most important thing that I remember is not to take them as failures, but to take them as what they are…lessons learned. I then evaluate, make changes to improve in the future, and move on. I still have moments of doubt, where I ask myself… what I am doing?! Did I make the right choice to start a business?! Is this really what I want to do?! But the answer is always… YES! I am proud to be a business owner and can’t wait to see the future of For Floral Sake.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I am a mom of two toddlers (delivery riders). Balancing a studio business and navigating toddlerhood comes with challenges but I am so grateful for my supportive husband and a myriad of other family caregivers that allow me to continue my business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.forfloralsake.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forfloralsake/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/forfloralsake
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/forfloralsake/
Image Credits
Brookklyn Photo and Claire Kayser Studio
