We recently connected with Theresa Schulte and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Theresa, thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.

We empower our clients and guests to build their own bouquet from the variety of stems we offer on the flower truck. Most guests say they don’t know how or aren’t creative but we give them the tools and advice to feel successful and build a beautiful bouquet based on their favorite colors; stems fillers and greenery.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a special education teacher and after receiving my graduate degree and teaching through Covid I needed to find something that would bring me some joy. After a lot of soul searching I realized I always loved to garden but mainly only grew vegetables. However, I have always loved fresh cut flowers. I thought of my friend who started a flower truck in Dothan, Alabama and reached out to her to find out more. It turned out she was selling the business and wanted me to take over. If I didn’t reach out at that time, the opportunity would have never been in my hands to share my love of flowers with the Atlanta community.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

I was driving an Acura MDX and my daughter had just received her permit. One day while pulling into the driveway she hit the gas instead of the brake. She left skid marks in the driveway and started to cry even though nothing was hurt or injured. I sold the Acura and got her a smaller less expensive vehicle. I put the money from the Acura MDX in the bank and when the flower truck business was for sale I had the money from the MDX and borrowed a few thousand from my parents to buy the business.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Our very first night in business we had an inebriated customer who chose a $50 bouquet and then walked away and said it was a rip off. I had to hold my tongue and realize this woman was obviously in pain and wanted to take someone down with her. My thought was to give her a flower and tell her I hope her day gets better.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.gussiedupflowertruck.com
• Instagram: Gussiedupflowertruck
• Facebook: Gussiedupflowertruck