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

Alright, Erin thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.

I mean let’s be honest, I’m pretty sure anyone you ask has heard of 1-800-flowers. A company that is most people’s go to when they think of ordering flowers. About 6 years ago I was selling bouquets out of my kitchen, the only clientele being my close friends and family that wanted to support me. Now looking back they were really out here ordering my “cringe worthy” arrangement’s. Fast forward to now we do pretty well on our online site for local flower delivery. Most of my clients are local, loyal people that have been coming to me for years for custom florals. There’s such a large gap between a small business owner with a unique product that’s hard to get the word out about against the easy-to-buy options that dominate the market. The more well-known products have a massive advantage—they’ve already built awareness and are easy to find. Meanwhile, a small business is up against that and so many other challenges. The key for me is to just stay focused and remember that there are people out there that want my product and its uniqueness. The next time you go to order flowers, just scroll a but till you find a local flower shop in the area that has a passion for what they are designing.

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.

My name is Erin, I’m a boutique floral designer. Sage & such is an intimate floral studio specializing in funky, whimsical floral designs for weddings, events and your everyday flower needs. I have always had an eagerness to create, whether it’s through cooking or painting I have always pushed the limit to be different and express myself through my work. These driving passions together have allowed my business to thrive. If you had asked me back in the day If I would be here? I would believe you because I always knew I would have my own business but never thought I’d be working with flowers. It was 2016 to be exact when I graduated from Suny Plattsburgh with a degree in Hospitality & tourism with the plans of being a cafe owner.
Who knows maybe one day the two will collide and I’ll have my dream flower/coffee shop.
I’m ridiculously proud to be where I am today and have such loyal clients and a booked-out Calander, I’m so eager to see how things look in the years to come.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Social media has definitely changed the way business owners can communicate with their customers.
Instagram has been so helpful in connecting with new clients, especially as a florist who is serving a niche- area. But nothing compares to the way people talk about you in a room you’re not in. My friends and family are the absolute best when it comes to sharing my card, our Instagram and spreading great reviews. But It’s the strangers you don’t know who are talking about you that truly makes me realize the effect we have had on people and the success I have built.
For example, whenever I finish setting up a bridal or baby shower, I can see all the new followers coming in, knowing you are the topic of conversation amongst all the ladies asking, ‘Who did the flowers?” The best source will always come down to word of mouth, I have worked my butt off to have nothing but positive feedback from our clients.

What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?

I worked for a family run business for years doing events, it’s the place that sparked my interest in florals in the first place.
But then Covid hit, and everything came to a stop, it was a huge pivotal career moment for me. It was almost a now or never approach to really making this happen, the following day I signed up for NYIAD floral design program and started practicing and getting my hands on flowers during the downtime of unemployment. Started selling bouquets at local markets, doing small events for my friends and just making a name for myself. It was not easy.
The hardest part about putting 100% of your energy into building my brand but is that it doesn’t fully pay the bills, I had many side hustles in between. I worked and interned for many florists/ flower shops to learn about the business itself and waitressed every other moment in between. There was a time I was working three jobs. So, the moment I was able to support myself with solely Sage & Such income was extremely rewarding.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Sageandsuch.design
• Instagram: sageandsuch_
• Facebook: Sage&[email protected]

Image Credits

Emilyhunterphotography

Loraleahmariephotography

Bloomingfaithphotography

Catiacondephoto