Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in floristry but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Alexzandria Regan, owner of Lemon & Tulips, located in Fryeburg, Maine, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Lemon & Tulips was established in January 2017 as an opportunity to convert my hometown's previous flower shop into my own with fun twists. My goal was to take the former traditional flower and gift shop and gradually erase the mainstream wire-out services and catalog buying to a more personalized and customized experience. Having the ability and introducing unique and funky arrangements has shaped Lemon & Tulip's style to what it is today. The typical customer coming to Lemon & Tulip's, whether weddings, photoshoots, or daily deliveries, is someone that looks beyond mainstream and generic flower designs. Customers and clients are excited to share their stories, themes, and visions without them holding back, thinking, "this is weird," to collaborate and express emotions through our style.
Tell us about yourself
A very short story about how I got into the floral industry. In 2015, I was in an accident where I cracked my skull and had to have brain surgery/TBI. I was not able to work for months; my vision was sensitive, my taste was gone, my balance was off whack, I had temporary aphasia, and thinking would exhaust me physically. With all this, I had to go to neuro rehab and 'retrain my brain.' At this time, I knew I could not go back to being a Manager; I had to find a different career path to adjust my head. With multiple appointments and research, I found out ways to help build and refresh my mind. Color therapy sight exercises. Smells memory builder. Art improves brain function. I then asked myself, 'what the hell career has all of this to help me?' Flowers. I got lucky because I fell in love with it, and others things slowly started to align.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My love for my career has not faded. I am an indecisive person and typically get bored easily. I always like to see changes and new scenes, and in the past, not a lot of jobs clicked with me with that 'a-ha!' moment or even wanted to stick with it. My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is I am not forcing myself to get out of bed grudgingly and hating where I am at. Cliché, but life is too short to hate what you are doing. I am extremely lucky to love designing still and still love being in the floral industry.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
For me, the hardest thing that comes with being a business owner is that all the responsibility lies on you. You can't run; you can't hide! The mixture of the good and the bad complaints, taxes, meetings, cancellations, insurance, reviews, ordering, processing, etc. I am Lemon & Tulips, and I have to be the face of it all. That can be terrifying.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
I actually remember thinking, 'I wish I knew this when I first took over the flower shop and scribbled it down. Mine could be a little different as I first started with an actual, opened daily storefront, but three tips get to sleep. Get a planner. have something to take notes on everywhere you go.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.lemonandtulips.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lemonandtulips
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lemonandtulips/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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