Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kate Montano. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Kate , appreciate you joining us today. Do you manage your own social media?

Social media has been such a game changer to my business and see so many wonderful benefits through the various platforms. As a small business, I currently manage my own social media- however I have been leaning towards hiring another party to assist in this area. Like floristry, social media managers have an eye for their own craft to implement and create content to engage viewers. Social media has been challenging for me to manage because I believe it takes a lot of time and effort that draws me away from the creative component of floristry. The tactile experience I enjoy with creating and manipulating florals is very different from designing online. As much as I do try to manage on my own, social media managers and specialists are professionals in their craft that I have very little knowledge of. If I were to start over in creating my social media, I would have hired and looked into assistance sooner- which in turn may have helped increase brand awareness to reach a wider clientele base.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I got engaged in 2019 and like any new bride, hurriedly scoured the internet for resources on all things wedding. Shortly after, COVID happened and the world shut down-changing the wedding industry. In particular, the vendors- venues, dress shops, restaurants, small business owners- the photographers and florists. When it was time to reach out to florists, I would receive emails upon emails denying my request stating a minimum cost for florals would be needed to book and not once was I able to speak to someone directly. At that time, we only had 20 people invited to our Santa Barbara backyard wedding and we were being asked to pay $3,000 and up for florals. It was then that I had decided to research and source my own florals. This is where Kate Elaine Floral began! Following my wedding, I had an abundance of everlasting florals- I received messages to create arrangements for personal use, as gifts to loved ones, and for special events and weddings. The feedback was overwhelmingly sweet and such a joy to receive. I genuinely felt a new season of my life emerge- an opportunity to create lasting impressions through floral arrangements. I take pleasure in client requests and continue to build relationships outside of being a vendor. I believe Kate Elaine Floral has evolved from a place of love, literally our wedding day, to provide a service of joy and happiness for all to feel.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

This question really puts a smile on my face. Reflecting on my history as a small business and all of the support I’ve received along the way. The best source of clients have been the thoughtful referrals. My clients are truly amazing and it validates the trust they have in my work to pass my name along to their friends and family. I personally do my best to build deep connections with my clients and personalize each relationship because I want them to feel cared for and understood when they hire me as their florist.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

September last year was a month of all things change. I gave birth to my first child the first week and had a wedding event I needed to work the end of the month- I was 3 weeks postpartum. Little did I know the reality of my physical, emotional and occupational well being to test my resilience. From a newfound experience, motherhood has its challenges and then adding and juggling my other identities- a wife and small business owner to the mix. The overwhelming emotions during my postpartum era may have been the most difficult I’ve had to overcome, walk through and conquer. To prepare for a wedding event, it takes me many hours each day to order, prepare, and create prior to executing the vision on wedding day. As a florist, I realized I was scrambling to find time in my day to meet this need for my clients. I was beyond exhausted every day and I had difficulties focusing my attention to my craft, because I needed to be there for my baby. The mental shift of my identify each day that week pulled me in opposite ends and I remember thinking to myself that I could not do it all. It truly felt impossible for me to shift my attention from floral work and then to my baby. I felt guilty when I was not with her then guilty I was not doing my job that was promised to my clients.

I scheduled a mental health meeting with my therapist that week knowing I was in fight-or-flight mode. We worked on exercises reflecting and practicing mindfulness and affirmations. I remember repeating the affirmation- “I am enough.” These words resonated deeply and I practiced saying them in times of fatigue, sadness and emptiness. It provided me with hope to continue being present, remembering what is important in that moment, and achieving small goals I placed for myself. I made an effort to ask for help that entire week, assistance with the baby to have her needs met, help at home with chores, and additional hands on deck with preparations to ensure a smooth production day.

Prioritizing my mental health was the best decision I could have made and I believe that is what got me to conquer that week.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: kateelainefloral

Image Credits

momentsbybray
lisarheaphotography
michaelmodino photography
morales.creative
lupejuarezphoto