We recently connected with Maritza Martinez and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Maritza, thanks for joining us today. Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later

I started my business very similar to a lot of other small business stories during the beginning of COVID. I wish I had started my business sooner however, I am very fortunate to have found my passion in life at a moment where I was still able to start a new journey. It will be three years since I launched my first mother’s day flower special and the growth I have seen in my skill make me immensely proud of myself. I remind myself yes, I am not in 20’s anymore but I am still young and have so much to learn! This is still the beginning of my flower journey.

Maritza, 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 Maritza Avellaneda Martinez and I am a florist.
Yes, I happily still take daily orders however, my company’s primary focus has shifted to events and weddings.
I have been in the flower industry now for three sensational years and look forward to all the events/weddings coming my way!
I believe the things that sets us apart from other companies is my attention to detail and whimsical touch as well as our reasonable pricing.
Customer service goes a long way for a lot of consumers and as a client of mine I want you to feel special from your initial inquiry, to your detailed proposal, to the wholesaler visit to the day of your event. The moment the client walks into their event space and I see them smile it genuinely tugs at my heart and brings me an indescribable joy.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

I have never had a freelancer to this date not want to return and assist me for an event. I was raised with the mentality you treat the Janitor the same as the CEO. My formula is simple, I treat my freelancers the way I want to be treated. Fair pay, snacks, food, water, caffeine, kindness and education!
My parents instilled a hard work ethic in me from the age of 16, my mother especially taught me to be strong independent woman. Being that majority of my freelancers are Latina women I hope to share my floral education, be a helpful friend and a kind mentor.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Instagram and REFERRALS! I can not stress enough how important referrals are. When you do an outstanding job people will ask who did this? what company did you use? Wow I like that detail that vendor included!
Details matter, being kind matters to everyone from the day of coordinator to the aunt of the groom, executing your clients vision matters. When someone loves the work you did they will tell the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.casadeavella.com (Coming April 2023)
• Instagram: CasadeAvella

Image Credits
@samikathyrn @rickdavilaphoto @thelockharts