We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lindsey McDole Gilliam a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Lindsey , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

It all started in 2012. I was working at my current job which was Kroger and they always allowed me to help out in their floral department. I was an Accountant there so I obviously had no experience. The lead florist at Kroger was kind enough to show me a few tips and trusted me to do a wedding that a bride had booked through Kroger. It turned out great! I was still in college at the time so owning my own floral business never crossed my mind as a Biology Major. For years though I would always travel back into town for Valentines Day, Proms, Homecomings, and Weddings. I truly loved flower arranging and new quickly that this was a passion of mine I wanted to continue. I had a special eye for arranging and it just came natural.

It was 2017 when I started having friends reach out to do their weddings and in November of 2017 I decided to create a Facebook page called Lindsey Ann’s Florals. The page grew so quickly with support and love from friends, family, and strangers. It became more frequent of Couples reaching out so that was when I decided in August 2018 to get my LLC. The first year stated off slow, and each year has grown so much for me. I never knew back then I would be where I am today.

I am going into year five, and I am still figuring things out as I go. Each Couple brings something new to the table and helps reach this new creativeness in me I didn’t know I had. It has been such a great journey since I started. This passion of mine has grown into something bigger, and I am so lucky I get to be a business owner of something I love so much.

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

I am a single business owner of Lindsey Ann’s Florals. I create artistic arrangements for weddings, special events, and home deliveries. I created my business back in August 2018 when I got my LLC simply because I loved the feeling my arrangements would bring couples and individuals. It started as just a passion that I enjoyed doing, and it grew into my own business! If I am not flower arranging, then you can find me hanging with my husband, cat, and two Great Pyrenees, Franklin and Hamilton. We love to visit local coffee shops, enjoy new restaurants, and enjoy the mountain scene Roanoke has to offer.

LAF loves to get to know you before we book. We love to hear how our couples met and what they are looking for to create the most magical day. A questionnaire is sent out to all couples who inquire with us and once when I receive it back, I create your very own personal proposal. There is never the same proposal. LAF tries to keep the mindset of local and recycle. We shop for flowers from local farms when season allows it, and we recycle most of the clippings. We also donate left over arrangement’s (in good condition) from weddings to local businesses so they don’t go to waste! From the start to finish, we are always communicating with our Couple on style, color scheme, and expectations. Florals bring such a decoration to the special day and LAF thrives to make it absolutely breathtaking.

What I am most proud of are the connections I have created along the way. The connections with the community, couples, and other vendors are some I will cherish for a lifetime. The support I have received from the community with my flower business does not go unnoticed. I have won quite a few awards along the way that mean so much to me. I am also very proud of how far I have come as a single business owner. No floral request is too big for me to create!

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

My business relies quite a bit on social media since I am still working on a website. My business all began with a Facebook page in 2017. It grew quite the audience in the first year with friends and family supporting me. Throughout the years I have paid for many advertisements on Facebook to help my page be seen! It took a while to get where it is now, but word of mouth has also helped it grow.

If I were to give advice to anyone starting the social media presence of a business, it would be to not give up. In the beginning it can be a slow journey and quite discouraging. Once when you start seeing the results from the social media though, it is so rewarding. Also remember to take pride in your business. Even if it is starting out as just a Facebook page, remember why you started it and continue to love what you do. My very first social media post has now turned into an award winning business.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

The social media behind my business (Facebook and Instagram) has definitely helped build my reputation. I believe reviews from clients can go a long way. When people look for a service they most likely always look at the reviews first to see what the quality of service is like. I always encourage my clients to leave a review!

When I first started in the floral business, I started to team up with many other wedding vendors and offering florals for styled shoots. This was a great way for me to be seen by already very established wedding vendors. As time went on, I also became a preferred wedding florist for some wedding venues which also helped build my reputation.

Another way that built my reputation was word of mouth. All my clients I have worked with have been absolutely amazing, and they are always recommending me to their family and friends. It is because of my clientele I have won many awards in the Roanoke area for Best Florist. Winning an award like that is very big for a small business owner like myself!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindseyannsflorals/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lindseyannsflorals/
• Other: info@lindseyannsflorals.com

Image Credits
Ocean + Ridge by Melissa Durham Austin & Austin Photography Kristie Lea Photography