We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Courtney C a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Courtney, appreciate you joining us today. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea
I started with an idea… i had seen lots of floral preservationists online and i already knew how to press plants from earning my degree in Environmental Science. Collecting plant specimens and preserving them was part of our regular grades. I was already working part time for a local florist and helped set up a lot of wedding florals. One day, after the wedding was over, i asked if i could take some flowers home to practice pressing.
I then researched frames and decided i wanted to try to arrange the flowers in a double glass frame. When that first bouquet was successful, i offered the idea to a couple friends to get some more practice.
Once i felt confident in pressing wedding flowers, it all sort of fell into place from there. I brainstormed business names with my friends. I created a website and an instagram, and started putting myself out there!
Once clients started coming in, it became very important to me to find a high quality and locally produced frame supplier. Other than that, my supplies needed were more plant presses, endless amounts of blotter paper, and a good pair of tweezers.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Im Courtney! Owner and founder of Solidago Studios, a floral preservationist based in Richmond, Virginia but serving clients nationwide. In 2019 in my wetlands ecology class, we had to collect plants from the field, press and preserve, label, and turn it in for our final exam grade. After that project, i displayed all my pressed plants on the walls of my room, i just loved them.
In the years following, i would collect plants and bouquets my husband got me and press them. After seeing a couple companies online preserving bridal bouquets, i realized how amazing the idea was. A way to hold onto your wedding flowers forever! Then i realized it didnt have to be just wedding flowers.. i had kept bouquets from my husband and loved holding onto the memories. Funeral and memorial flowers that would often get thrown away, could be framed and displayed as a way to hold onto the memory of loved ones.
At Solidago Studios, we pride ourselves in turning your sentimental flowers into works of art you can cherish forever.
We have selected local businesses to support and source our frames, glass, and supplies from. We are a small, locally and women owned business. And i truly love what i do!
Solidago Studios accepts flowers from anywhere in the United States and will press and frame them into a piece you’ll love
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
I started by following and connecting with wedding vendors in my area. Any venue, florist, caterer, or photographer! To support other small businesses i feel is a way to gain support. I view it as a community lifting each other up.
Anytime i share my work, i tag the florist who made the fresh bouquet, since i am preserving their art!
And i make a lot of reels on instagram! This is super helpful to grow a following
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
Working with local florists and shops and word of mouth. When i first started, i went to local flower shops and florists and gave out my business card and told them what i do! Often if a bride or groom is looking for floral preservation, the first person they ask is the florist or wedding planner.
Then, word of mouth from happy customers who have sisters or friends getting married!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.solidagostudios.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/solidagostudios?igsh=MXJqOXFrOG1xNHB4dg==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/A5UND69VH4wQL4vy/?mibextid=kFxxJD
