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

Bailey, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later

Ultimately, I know that I started my business at the perfect time. However, I didn’t always think that. I started my business basically the day after I graduated college with my business degree. I put in my application for a full-time position at my job and was going to work on starting my business on the side. While I was in college, I hated school. I mean hated! I didn’t feel as though it was necessary to get a degree for the profession I was interested in,. Even though I wanted to be a business owner, I didn’t think what I was learning was beneficial in any way. I just thought of it as something causing me stress when I could be fulfilling my dream of having my own floral business. However, college wasn’t a choice for me. My parents believed it was important to go because it is something they regret not doing. Sure, I would have made out fine if I started back then, but some things definitely fell right into place starting my business when I did. I will always be curious where I would be today if I did start when I was younger, but I am happy with where I am today. Starting later allowed me to save more money, which is definitely needed when starting a business. It is a huge investment. I also have had so many amazing opportunities that have allowed me to kickstart my business. I am not sure if my business would have taken off so quickly without those opportunities.

Bailey, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I attended a technical high school that offered a floral program. So, I studied flowers and designing all four years of high school. After high school I got a job at a florist, I worked there part-time through college, moved up to full-time after I graduated and worked on starting my business at the same time. Now I have moved back down to part-time since my floral business is starting to take off! I specialize in floral arrangements for weddings and events, but I do special occasion floral arrangements sometimes as well. I love to provide my wedding couples with their dream floral arrangements for their special day! I love building relationships with my customers that is why weddings are my jam! Typically my couples book six months to a year in advance so I really get to know them throughout the process. I am most proud of how quickly my business has taken off. I started my business in September of 2021 with no customers, no clients, no weddings, nothing! Now I am booked with weddings almost every single weekend in 2023! Without reviews or a huge wedding gallery I am surprised I even booked one couple! Lol. I think my interpersonal connections and knowledge of flowers definitely form a trust between me and my clients and encourage them to book with me.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

I have found that the most effective strategy for growing clientele in the wedding industry is to participate in many local events. For example, there are tons of bridal shows/expos where all different types of wedding vendors participate in setting up a booth and can interact with engaged couples. It is a great way to network with other vendors and meet with people face to face. It gives you an opportunity to show off your personality, your work, and build connections with everyone. Meeting someone in person can be much more beneficial rather than looking through online websites or social media platforms. This way you get a chance to really know your wedding vendors. It is important to build trust and connections with people who will be involved in one of the most special days of your life. This has also been great for me because as I was starting up I didn’t have a huge wedding portfolio, online reviews, etc. The wedding shows were a great way to build my portfolio with pictures of display wedding bouquets and florals arrangements. Then, meeting the couples built trust right there as I shared my floral knowledge, design ideas, and information about my business. They didn’t have to rely on online reviews.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

Something that has significantly impacted my management and entrepreneurial thinking are listening to podcasts, finding Youtube videos, and other social media influencers that share their tips and expertise when it comes to running a business in the wedding industry. I have found some great people in the floral industry as well, that are exceptionally helpful. I have learned much more and utilized more tools to create a successful business from these platforms than I had learned in college. Not only are they helpful, but they are interesting to me as well. They are perfect for listening to or watching while I am working, driving, or relaxing on the couch. I learn something new with each one that helps me to build a better and more successful business!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.marigoldflowersbybailey.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marigoldflowersbybailey
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marigoldflowersbybailey
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@marigoldflowersbybailey

Image Credits
Mdree Photography, Margarita Photography, Danileigh Photography, Birchfields Photography, Lexitruesdale Photography, Maddie Kaye Photography