We were lucky to catch up with Georgia Douglas recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Georgia thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. One deeply underappreciated facet of entrepreneurship is the kind of crazy stuff we have to deal with as business owners. Sometimes it’s crazy positive sometimes it’s crazy negative, but crazy experiences unite entrepreneurs regardless of industry. Can you share a crazy story with our readers?

If you would have told me this story when I first started my business, it would have sent chills down my spine and kept me awake at night.

I had a travel event where my team and I created thousands of dollars of flower arrangements in the studio and then drove them to the event 6+ hours North. This is not uncommon, but definitely requires a lot of forethought, and lots of logistical planning! The day came. We had our van loaded + packed, and we took off for our big event. We had just gotten to the center of California, with August temperatures reaching 114 degrees. Three more hours to go, so we start up a podcast. Within minutes, the air entirely shuts off. Kaput. We do what anyone would do and turn everything off, then back on but to no avail. Quickly panic sets in as we start sweating. And if we’re hot, the flowers are hot.

I speed into the parking lot of an Arby’s as we rush some of the flowers inside. I quickly realize this is not going to work, but thankfully see a Motel 6 two blocks down. A generous employee took pity on us by offering an air-conditioned room for the flowers! We haul these thousands of dollars worth of flowers into the Motel 6 room, fully dripping sweat. We find the only mechanic in a town of 200, zoom there as fast as we can, and cross every finger and toe hoping that they could fix the problem. With our shins dripping sweat, some (many) tears spilled, and four middle aged men’s help, the van’s air was soon repaired! We scurried to the Motel 6, loaded back up, and got back on the road all within 45 minutes.

This situation is what florists’ nightmares are made of.

Georgia, 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 Georgia Douglas and I am an event florist based out of Long Beach, California. I specialize in garden inspired florals that feel both whimsical and artfully designed. I was born and raised in the greater Seattle area of Washington state, where I largely pull inspiration from. I moved to California about seven years ago to pursue an internship with an anti-human trafficking NGO. At the time, I was burned out, and ended up working at a coffee shop. My boss at the time offered me a ticket to a women focused conference where I felt inspired to perhaps have a try at what I really wanted- floristry.

I deeply desired to work with my hands while still working with people as I am very people oriented. I found someone to intern for and I was off! However, this perfectly coincided with the pandemic, and things were delayed. But with time, the world slowly started to open back up, and I had been working on my skill. I didn’t see myself as a business owner, but was so scared of the IRS that I filed to start my own business. Within a few months I had my first event booked! I look back fondly at that nudge by the universe. I could not imagine my life now without the beauty and fulfillment this business has allowed me, and for which I am eternally grateful.

Alright – let’s talk about marketing or sales – do you have any fun stories about a risk you’ve taken or something else exciting on the sales and marketing side?

As a small business owner you run every aspect of your business when you’re first starting. I started on TikTok several years back and I am so glad I did as that is where some of my favorite clients and I have met!

Any advice for managing a team?

I try to not ask anything of my team that I would not also do myself. As the owner I see it as my responsibility to be the first one in and last one out. I think when it comes to team leading, you set the standard for attitude and moral. Trying to be one step ahead, well planned, and thoughtful of your team is how you as a business show up well for the client.

Contact Info:

• Website: georgiadouglas.gd@gmail.com
• Instagram: @bygeorgiadouglas
• Other: Tiktok: @bygeorgiadouglas

Image Credits

Andrea David Photo

Anjali Nooka Photography