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PART TWO: Florist Amber Schoepp shares highlights of her career path.
Opening Flower Bar, a full-service Atlanta floral boutique, in October 2006 brought Amber Schoepp’s love of flowers full circle. Growing up in Northern California, she picked flowers out of other people’s yards, then let neighbors buy them at weekend sales!
At 16, she worked at a flower shop and in college she did freelance floral design. “I always knew I wanted to be a businesswoman,” Amber says, adding that her mother has been her No. 1 career influence. Watching Mom balance many responsibilities instilled a strong work ethic.
So, for nearly 15 years after college, she pursued her “real career” in marketing, eventually becoming director of ad sales for an Atlanta-based Internet company.
But with her position also came with extremely long hours, hard work and heavy stress. Deciding she wanted "time to smell the roses,” Amber went out on her own, tapping her marketing background to gain an edge.
Key to Flower Bar's success is top-notch organization, from accounting to inventory, she says. Speaking of inventory, having a wholesaler nearby means Amber can buy smaller quantities of flowers more frequently (and add more as needed) so that she can offer the freshest possible flowers.
Also important is technology, particularly Teleflora’s Dove system. “I would not survive without it,” she says. And given that about 70% of her business comes from people finding her online, Amber takes advantage of the latest communication tools, like her blog: http://atlantaflowerbar.blogspot.com. “I blog to keep current,” she explains. “It’s just becoming so popular and the blog in particular is helping people find me.”
How does she like running her own shop? “Before, I was overworked and underappreciated. Now, I’m overworked and tired,” she laughs.
“But I’m truly shocked at how many customers call or come back in and say how much they liked their flowers and how long they lasted.”
Next time I’m in Atlanta, drinks are on me!
To learn how Amber created a unique niche in the floral market, see: teleflora.com/FLOWERBLOG/post/Florist's-creativity-calls-for-a-toast!.aspx.
Flower Fact of the Day: A Chinese archeologist has published images of a flower's fossilized remains, which date back more than 145 million years. To read the full report, visit: cctv.com/program/cultureexpress/20080619/102626.shtml.