We recently connected with Roberto Gonzalez and have shared our conversation below.
Roberto, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear how you think where to draw the line in terms of asking friends and family to support your business – what’s okay and what’s over the line?
When it comes to asking loved ones for support in my business ventures, finding the right balance can be a delicate dance, from setting clear boundaries to maintaining authenticity, So lets explore where to draw the line and glide thought heartwarming anecdotes along the way. Together , we’ll navigate this entrepreneurial journey.
Roberto, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Roberto Gonzalez may not be a household name, but maybe he should be. A celebrity florist based in Chicago, Roberto rose to fame by creating floral arrangements for Oprah Winfrey. For four years, he was the go-to floral designer at Harpo Studios before starting his own company, Robert James Events, where he has designed flowers for the likes of Jennifer Hudson, Barbara Walters, Shania Twain, and President Obama. “As a kid, finding beauty in an impoverished Venezuelan community was not easy,” remembers Roberto. “I knew from an early age that I could use my creative energy to escape some of the daily challenges my family faced.
“I would visit my neighbor’s small floral shop as often as possible,” he continues. “Initially, I went because it was the only place in the area that had air conditioning.
Once I had the
chance to play with all the pretty flowers, I was hooked.”
At 14, he got a non-paying job at an event firm that specialized in kids’
birthday parties. Then at 18, with help from his mother, he opened his own firm specializing in kids’ events. “I wanted to take kids’ parties to the next level. I knew once I had the freedom to express my creativity, my company would bloom, and it did. After years of elaborate kids’ events, I was ready for bigger opportunities with grown-ups,” he laughs.
When Roberto left Venezuela for the USA, he landed first in Orlando, then Manhattan, then finally, in Chicago. He realized the path to grander events meant building on the passion he had developed at the shop behind his house in Venezuela. He obtained his accreditation in floral design at the American Institute of Floral Design, the highest designation
rewarded only to the nation’s premier florists.
Upon graduation, Roberto opened his first company, Roberto G. Chicago. Within the first year, his lush and luxuriant designs caught the eye of Ms. Winfrey who invited him to work at Harpo Studios. Oprah’s stamp of approval led to more celebrity clients. Soon, Roberto was accruing an incredibly influential clientele including the most powerful man in the world.
“Designing the floral pieces for President Obama’s birthday was probably the highlight of my career,” he says. “On a personal level, working for Julia Roberts was also special. As a gay kid growing up in Venezuela, Pretty Woman was secretly one of my favorite movies.”
His most recent project was creating all the floral for the movie Joyful Noise with Dolly Parton and Queen Latifa.
What are Roberto’s keys to
success? Whether designing florals for a movie or an event, Roberto
starts with the initial client consultation; his favorite part of the process. He has his clients close their eyes and dream up their wildest ideas for the party. He then uses the creative tricks he learned as a young entrepreneur at the kids event company to deliver a spectacle on budget. “You know how some women can make costume jewelry seem as if they are wearing the Hope Diamond? That’s what I do. I turn simple flower designs into masterpieces!”
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The rewarding aspect of being a artist is first the creativity: the ability to express myself creatively and bring unique ideas to life through floral arrangements and event designs can be incredibly fulfilling .
2. Bringing joy to others; Being surrounded by flowers and creating visually appealing settings for special occasions often bring happiness and joy to clients and their guests, making it a rewarding feeling to contribute to their positive experience.
3. Making a lasting impact: The work of an artist florist and event designer can have a lasting impact on people’s memories. The ability to create beautiful atmospheres and transform spaces can create a lasting impression on clients and their guests.
4. Collaboration and teamwork: Working in the event industry often involves collaborating with different professionals and vendors. The opportunity to work alongside other creative individuals and contribute to a successful event can be rewarding.
5. Personal satisfaction: Seeing a finished floral arrangement or event design that reflects one’s artistic vision and meets or exceeds client expectations can provide a sense of personal satisfaction and fulfillment.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
Ultimately, what is most rewarding will vary from person to person based on their unique experiences, interests, and motivations as an artist florist and event designer.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.robertogonzalezflowers.com
- Instagram: @robertogonzalezflowrs
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/roberto-gonzalez-0bb0bb33
Image Credits
Image credit ( Floral headpiece wearable ) Photography Mike Ruiz