We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lori Bley a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Lori , appreciate you joining us today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?
Honestly, I dreamt it. I have always hidden a single daisy bloom in each bridal bouquet I’ve made. They have always been my favorite. The perfect happy flower in it’s simplicity. Placing one down in the center of the bouquet is me leaving my mark. So when I woke up one morning and said The Hidden Daisy, that was it. I filed the business name change paperwork that day. I couldn’t tell you what happened in the dream, I just knew the answer upon awakening.
Lori , 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?
My name is Lori Bley and I have been a floral designer for 27 plus years. It’s in my blood at this point. Once you work around flowers all day, it’s hard to step away. I got a taste for the industry in highschool when my girlfriend Alison was working at a flowercart in the mall. They needed help for Mother’s day and I stepped into the craziness that is Mom’s Day in the industry. Then after starting college, I got a job as a delivery driver, was brought inside the store to learn to design and 2 years later I bought out my boss. I have since closed my store and now operate out of my home studio. I primarily focus on weddings. I enjoy creating something special and unique for each couple. Getting to know them along the way, their stories, goals and personalities. I try to evoke the same feeling each couple gives me through beautiful blooms and inspired designs. I locally source some of my product and am moving in the direction of sustainability with every wedding we produce.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
Honesty. Kindness. I think with most things in life this to be true. The rules are simple. Treat people the way you want to be treated. No matter how bad of a day you might be having, someone is having a worse one. Your smile might be the one thing that can change their day, You never know, I know the kindness of strangers has helped my day a few times. Honesty, something that should be so easy, isn’t always. It’s the only right way. I promise honesty and transparency to all of my clients. With that, we build trust. All great relationships need trust to grow and thrive.
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
Respect and Kindness. Hustle with them. The harder I work, the more my team wants to work for me. I respect them and their own design sense and let them be creative whenever I can without compromising my design plan. We can all learn from each other. We grow together. Respect their own time, families and personal lives. Just because my business is my baby, doesn’t make it theirs.
Dancing. there must always be a little dancing and some music in the day. It can set the tone for any day. And if you’re a little stressed, put a little shimmy in your step. I promise you’ll feel better and smile,
Contact Info:
- Website: thehiddendaisy.com
- Instagram: @thehiddendaisyfloral
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/thehiddendaisyfloralstudio
- Linkedin: Lori Bley
Image Credits
Molly Sue Photography