We were lucky to catch up with Jan Espersen recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Jan thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
“Create Joy Everyday “
That is our mission statement. People come to us for flower arrangements, but it is the reason why they need a flower arrangement that is part of our purpose. Many Reasons: anniversary, birthday, new baby, wedding, sympathy, love, sorrow, just because. We come along-side our friends and customers to celebrate the everyday Joys and also to hold hands and give a hug to those who have lost a little joy in their lives.
Our online store has given us an opportunity to reach out further and share our joy and love across the country and even Canada. Joyful gifting and giving is a big part of everyday life and we love to celebrate the joy in all of life’s moments together!
Jan, 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?
Thimbleberry House is over 30 years in the making. It started with a mom who loved and had a passion for flowers and creativity. While moving around the country from Seattle to Chicago, Minnesota to Texas and a few places in between-we landed in Las Vegas where mom and daughter joined together to put down roots as Thimbleberry House Floral and Designers LLC
The first brick and mortar store opened in 2012 and our vision of a European flower market was created. We included unique floral designs, plants, gifts and seasonal home decor. Sharing our passion for beautiful things with friends, family and neighbors in the Las Vegas valley. We love being able to celebrate in times of joy, comfort in times of grief and rejoice in times of blessings with all who come to Thimbleberry House.
In 2024 we decided to expand our reach and launched Thimbleberryhouse.com as our main shopping experience. We offer fresh floral arrangements, unique gifts, and our favorite things each season for your home and gifts to those you love. Making new friends throughout the country and celebrating the Joy each occasion brings!
How’d you meet your business partner?
My business partner is my daughter! Throughout her growing up, she watched me grow flowers, dry flowers, make them into interesting designs and sell them. In the early days ( she was about 3 years old) I would fill the back of my mini van with finished product. She and her brother would sit in the middle seats with snacks and drinks. I would drive with my product and children in tow to sell my designs at various gift shops.
My daughter is a graduate of Baylor University (Go Bears!) and one day as we were moving to Las Vegas and she was still in Texas she said to me “Mom, you’ve always wanted a store-front. I’m moving to Las Vegas too and we can open a store together”. I said “Great. Let’s do it!”
So with a small prayer and a great vision together we built Thimbleberry House into what it is today.
Can you open up about a time when you had a really close call with the business?
The year was 2020. We had just come from our market buy in January where we had ordered the bulk of our inventory for the year: new merchandise for Spring, Summer, and Holiday. COVID was a giant hurdle waiting in the wings. As COVID progressed and “mandates” went into effect, I navigated each obstacle and looked for a way through.
Our first hurdle was the fact that our governor decided to close all business doors. Thank goodness a lot of our sales are fresh flower deliveries that could be delivered without contact. As time progressed, our flower wholesale warehouses also closed. Every one closed except for one, also woman-owned, floral wholesale warehouse in Las Vegas. We banned together and made a pact that we would stay open for each other. She would take my order and leave it outside the warehouse doors for pick up. Whew! We were there for each others’ struggling business.
The second hurdle was the fact that we had a lot of brand new merchandise coming in that no one could see. I commissioned my daughter who was the web guru to “ put everything in our store online”. Customers could see it and we could run it out to their car for pick up or we could also deliver merchandise. Looking back, I can see this was the real start of our online business. Thank you Lord!
Lastly, we had a cash flow problem, so I applied to the government small business administration for a loan. I also negotiated with my landlord to defer a couple months rent.
We made it! It was a crazy time of regulation, policing, and me being creative.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Thimbleberryhouse.com
- Instagram: @thimbleberryhouse
- Other: Pinterest: thimbleberryhouse
Image Credits
Our studio file