The Best Investment I Made in my Business in 2020

I made one of the best decisions for my business at the start of this year, and I never gave you all the details.

When it comes to the “behind the scenes” of my business, I’m an open book. I hope that being candid and transparent can inspire and help others, because I know first-hand this industry can be difficult (even frustrating at times) to break into and navigate. So today I’m sharing some lessons learned, plus a specific investment I made for my business this year: education, and specifically mentorship. 

A BIG 2020 GOAL 

2020 will be my second year in business. At the start of the year, I mapped out my goals (to which coronavirus says: lollllllll). One of my goals was to continue educating myself, especially during my off-season when I had more time. Education is a privilege, and I am grateful that I have the ability to take the time to do this. I recognize that challenging myself to learn more and be better will not only benefit me, but those I work with. If I lack top-notch skills, I am failing my business and my clients. Entering year two, I wanted to specifically focus on honing thoughtful design skills.

To say that I am hesitant when it comes to costly investments (like education) for my business is an understatement. I self-funded my business and with smaller profit margins while getting started, I have to be wise about how I spend my money. This has been humbling, and exactly what pushes me to grow. I’ve learned the hard way that some investments can be mistakes (more on that below), while others have the potential to pay off in dividends. 

So earlier this year, when I hopped on a flight to Portland for a day-two mentorship, I had to trust that I’d made the best decision for my business. To this day, that investment continues to pay off. 

FIRST, HERE’S WHAT HAS WORKED WELL FOR ME 

By far the best way for me to learn this business has been by doing. For me this has meant freelancing for other designers in their studios and at wedding installations, working in a flower shop, and taking hands-on classes -- like with City College of San Francisco’s Floristry & Horticulture program, where the teachers have been in this business for a long time and teach really important foundational techniques for floral design. (Pro Tip: these classes are free for San Francisco residents.) One of the common threads here is mentorship. By seeking out mentors, I have built lasting relationships that have become invaluable resources.

AND HERE’S WHAT HASN’T WORKED WELL FOR ME 

Online courses, group workshops, and conferences have been the least helpful for me, at least when it comes to learning important foundational skills. This sort of education lacks one-on-one attention and the hands-on practice that are so valuable. They are also often extremely expensive. I once dumped more money than I’d like to admit into a workshop that sadly failed to live up to its promises and my own expectations. I didn’t know what it was I really needed at that time (and should have), but I’ve learned from that and have since been more strategic when it comes to investing my dollars.  

HOW I FOUND THE PERFECT MENTORSHIP

I practice and believe in the power of manifestation (and talk about it more here). Once I set my goal, I made a list of exactly what I needed out of a mentorship investment:

• to learn one-on-one with a creator, not in a group or online setting 

• a designer with a contemporary and thoughtful aesthetic

• someone who practices sustainable floral design

• a businessperson with a proven track record of success

• the ability to use a lot of the time together practicing by doing

Enter Alyssa of Color Theory Design Co. and Color Theory Design Workshops. Alyssa has been a designer and businesswoman I’ve very much admired for a while now. She creates artfully-designed work, practices sustainability, and has plenty of experience in the business to learn from. She offers one-on-one intensive workshops at her new (beautiful) shop in Portland, Oregon.

WHAT I LEARNED 

Because it was just the two of us, Alyssa and I were able to craft a custom agenda for two jam-packed days specific to the goals and objectives I laid out for her in advance of our time together. I chose to focus on bouquets and sustainable (foam-free) installations, as they can often be two of the most impactful parts of a wedding day. Alyssa and I spent most of the days hands-on designing. She covered ingredient selection, the design process, and sustainable techniques that won’t impact the quality of designs. Over meals we had a chance to dive into business practices including proposals, production, hiring, marketing, search engine optimization, website content, social media, styled shoots, vendor relations, and customer service. 

It was one of THE most valuable investments I’ve made in my business to-date. On top of everything I learned, I found a new friend and mentor in the industry who’s now just a text away.

LOOKING AHEAD 

Months later I’m still implementing my takeaways from the workshop, especially as I use lotttttts of new-found free time to improve my business. Here are some of the changes I’m most looking forward to in 2020-2021:  

• Sustainable floral design practices: I’m working to be more mindful of my businesses’ environmental impact in a high-waste industry. That will look like eliminating single-use plastics like floral foam, recyclable and compostable design mechanics, almost exclusively sourcing locally, plus re-use programs and tighter flower ordering to reduce waste. 

• New inventory: As I refine my design style, I’m aligning my inventory. I’m upgrading my vases, vessels, candles and props to fit the aesthetic I and my clients have come to love. Everything in my new inventory will be recyclable, reusable, and/or compostable. 

• A brand new proposal design and buttoned up workflows: A lot of year one was trial and error as I found what works best for me, my business AND my clients. Now I’m upgrading the visual and logistical components of my workflow, not only to keep me organized but to accurately portray my vision to my clients. With this, prospective clients can easily determine if I’m a good fit for them off the bat, and I can focus more on them and their designs.  

• Bold designs: I have some really unique designs, installations, and palettes to look forward to with my upcoming weddings. I love my clients’ styles and the way they challenge me, so this will be especially rewarding. Plus, the constant refinement and practice thanks to this mentorship gives me comfort in knowing that I can pull off these designs. 

I encourage anyone looking to start something new or level-up to invest time in mentorship. Especially if you are weighing investments for yourself or your business, be really intentional (and honest with yourself) on what it is you need right now, and do your research. You’re the only one who truly knows what will work best for you.

If you’re interested in hearing more about this process, I’m always here to chat. Drop a comment below, send me a DM, or write me a note.

Thanks as always for following along and I can’t wait to share more in the months ahead!