We recently connected with Amber Bullis and have shared our conversation below.

Amber, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

Olive Peach Autumn Leaves started off as a place where you could get a custom wreath made. I enjoyed making wreaths for fun and then decided it was something I could make a business out of. I wanted a place that people could order custom made seasonal wreaths. I wanted to make something different from what you could get at HomeGoods, Hobby Lobby, Target etc. The wreaths I make are unique and one of a kind and I never make the same wreath twice. At some point I went from making wreaths exclusively into making floral arrangements and signs. Now Olive Peach Autumn Leaves offers custom home and event decor.

Amber, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Amber and before Olive Peach Autumn Leaves was created I was a stay at home mom. My three youngest children were 3, 1, and 7 months when I made my first wreath out of leftover garlands from a friend’s engagement party. The quarantine had just ended and I was spending a lot of my time at home with my kids. I crafted my first wreath in between naps, bottles, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. I had no idea what I was doing but every time a girlfriend came over they would ask where I got the wreath in my kitchen window and I would tell them I made it, then that friend would ask me to make them one too. After making so many of what I named the All Green Wreath I decided to try to make a business of it. I branched out from using left over garlands to using artificial flowers. Before my kids would wake up in the morning I would get up and watch tutorials and research how to make the best quality wreaths and different types of bows. Then I started making wood signs and adding bows and florals to those. After some time making home decor I made centerpieces and some other custom items, including a welcome sign, for a friend’s baby shower. I knew after that one baby shower this is something I could be successful doing. I booked my first wedding around the same time and added in more options for event signage. Now I offer printed signs, wood signs, acrylic signs, and mirror signs for purchase and to rent. This has been such an incredible journey and in some ways I feel like its just beginning! Now I make custom floral arrangements and decor for homes and events. I started with artificial flowers then I added in preserved florals which I use for floral installations, and most recently I started offering fresh flowers. Just like any other stay at home mom I was struggling with my identity. I felt lost and while looking into the flowers I found myself. The best part of creating every single item is that it doesn’t just bring me joy it brings joy to all of my customers too.

Any fun sales or marketing stories?

As a self taught floral designer it is hard to sell myself. I came to a point where I couldn’t sit back and hope that the right customer would just come along and ask me to create an in home floral installation or event for them. I had to become my own dream client. After a very long time of holding myself back placed my first order for wholesale fresh flowers. I hosted a brunch at home for some of my friends that have supported my business in one way or another. I bought all of the materials I needed and I decked my house out in flowers that could rival a bridal shower along with custom signs. I had a content creator come in and take videos and pictures of the event. I took the risk on myself and since then I’ve had some promising projects come my way, one of which is wrapping up now. I have always believed in myself in my talent, skill, and eye even when others have questioned me. Working with flowers is a form of art and it is personal and a reflection of the person placing the order. Taking the risk on myself is paying off in more ways than one.

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

Whether a client is ordering decor for a big event like their wedding or a wreath for their front door the piece is custom. The piece is a reflection of them and their story, it shows who they are. For me to get the order right I need to get to know the person a little first so that their piece can reflect their personal style and personality. In doing that I am also building a unique relationship with each client. Clients start off as clients when they first come to me but by the end of the job I view them as friends. We talk while they are getting married, while they are pregnant, while they are planning their kid’s birthday party, or while they are decorating their new home after a messy divorce. While I am styling for them they lean on me and as much as the event or piece means to them it means that much to me too. I make sure every single person that hires me knows that and the friendship mixed with my talent brings them back. When it comes to decor love is in the details and people are not going to get that shopping at big box retailers.

Contact Info:

• Website: olivepeachautumnleaves.com
• Instagram: olivepeach_autumnleaves
• Facebook: olivepeach_autumnleaves
• Other: olivepeachautumnleaves@gmail.com

Image Credits
Memories by Maria Photography, Alicia King Photography