Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Vernon .
Alright, thank you for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us how you got started?
The Wild Orchid Florist all began with my mom Lisa Minks. She started as a floral designer back in high school & opened her first floral shop. She was a successful businesswoman and a go-getter! However, when she had her children a few years later, she decided to take on the role of a full-time (amazing) mom. Fast forward 25 years- an opportunity came to rent a space in our hometown of Corcoran, MN. She decided to once again open a floral business as more of a hobby to service our locals. One promise she made to herself in taking on this new adventure was to donate a lot of the proceeds to the Animal Humane Societies and Leach Lake Legacy. Animals have always been a big part of our family and hold a special place in her heart. Little did we know, only a few short years later, the business took off, and the support from our local community was (and still is) amazing! I started working with my mom and getting to know the ins and outs of the floral business and fell in love with it! My mom taught me about everything I know in the industry, from the design aspect to being a businesswoman. After designing for a few years, I discovered my passion was wedding floral. I love creating a vision from start to finish and being a part of such a special time in someone’s life. Watching the business grow and service such amazing people around the community has been a blessing. I am excited about the future!
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Every small business has its ups and downs, especially in the starting out phases. The anxiety and fear of “Was this the right thing to do?” or “What if we fail?” can take over such a joyous time of starting a new chapter. We just had to put that aside and put all our energy into the business. I have to say, we have been so incredibly blessed with such a great community of people who wanted to see our business take off and stay for the long hall! We were surprised at how well the shop did in the first few years, especially in a small town. When covid hit in 2020, it was a scary time for all small businesses. We shut our doors to the public and only serviced deliveries. To our surprise, during that time the sales increased immensely. Family & friends weren’t getting together in person, so they sent flowers. The support during that time opened my eyes to how much people cared and wanted small businesses to succeed. The industry, unfortunately, still has not fully recovered. Sourcing fresh floral and hard goods are getting harder because of supply chain issues, labor shortages, and poor weather conditions in major growing areas at this time. This is all out of our control, so all we can do is support each other and make the best with what we have!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We are most proud of starting as a small town florist and growing into a successful wedding and events florist around the metro area. We specialize in Weddings & Events. We are known for creating beautiful wedding flowers, from bouquets to arch pieces to hanging installations! We’ve worked extremely hard to create a strong customer base, earn our brides’ and groom’s trust, and create a name we are truly proud of.
Do you have any advice for those just starting?
You can do it if you put your mind and energy into it! I know it sounds cliché, but hard work and faith in yourself go a long way. Obstacles will come your way. Please take it as growth, as a learning curve, and move on. Dwelling on setbacks will do just that- set you back. Success is something you have to work at. I am very impatient, so patience with yourself and your business is key. Nothing happens overnight, but with persistence, you will find your way!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thewildorchidmn.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewildorchidflorist/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewildorchidmn
Image Credits
Photos: @Michelleportraitdesignfineart @Hannah_ampe @madalynvermeerphotos @laurabankenphotography @bellagala @Nicole.andco @meaganelizabeth.photo
