Bella Flowers Story....
July 25, 2012
So I meet with a hand full of clients every week and they all ask me how I got started so I figured I would write it down so here it is.....
I was 18 when I got my first job in a flower shop, I was attending the French Culinary Institute as a full time student and I had big plans to be a Pastry Chef. I had a part time job at North Shore Floral on the weekends while I was attending school. I had dreamed of owning a Pastry shop one day. My dreams were derailed a bit by my love of flowers. When I graduated, I continued my job at North Shore Floral and was quickly promoted to a full time manager and wedding consultant.
After working at a florist that mainly focused on weddings and was a medium size shop I knew this was my calling. I left North Shore Floral and worked for a tiny little florist in Huntington that was pretty much a one man show. I learned a bit about different types of flowers and then moved on to James Cress Florist. I worked there for two years learning the factory style wedding shop of mass production. I then realized the only place I would be happy is working for myself.
I had an image of in my mind of what I wanted to create and it was going to be perfect. I would only sell quality flowers and offer amazing service. It was my mantra.
I was 22 years old, emptied my bank account and took over a failing flower shop in the heart of Huntington Village. I quickly realized that I didn't have enough money to support this business I dreamed of and with all the renovations I had to do I had no choice but to do the work myself. I worked 90 hour weeks for the first couple of years and I was on my way.
I did my first wedding the 2nd year in business and loved it. I made no money but I knew this is what I loved doing so I forged on. I slowly built my business over the next few years and became known for amazing flowers and great service. As I grew I was able to start hiring staff and I am pleased to say that they are all still with me. My reputation was always extremely important and I knew that's that it would make me a success one day. Well 12 years later, I am here. I met my wonderful husband, had 2 amazing children and I get to go to work and live my passion.
I truly love planning weddings and that's maybe why it doesn't ever feel like work.
Cristina Spoto
President, Bella Flowers Inc.
I was 18 when I got my first job in a flower shop, I was attending the French Culinary Institute as a full time student and I had big plans to be a Pastry Chef. I had a part time job at North Shore Floral on the weekends while I was attending school. I had dreamed of owning a Pastry shop one day. My dreams were derailed a bit by my love of flowers. When I graduated, I continued my job at North Shore Floral and was quickly promoted to a full time manager and wedding consultant.
After working at a florist that mainly focused on weddings and was a medium size shop I knew this was my calling. I left North Shore Floral and worked for a tiny little florist in Huntington that was pretty much a one man show. I learned a bit about different types of flowers and then moved on to James Cress Florist. I worked there for two years learning the factory style wedding shop of mass production. I then realized the only place I would be happy is working for myself.
I had an image of in my mind of what I wanted to create and it was going to be perfect. I would only sell quality flowers and offer amazing service. It was my mantra.
I was 22 years old, emptied my bank account and took over a failing flower shop in the heart of Huntington Village. I quickly realized that I didn't have enough money to support this business I dreamed of and with all the renovations I had to do I had no choice but to do the work myself. I worked 90 hour weeks for the first couple of years and I was on my way.
I did my first wedding the 2nd year in business and loved it. I made no money but I knew this is what I loved doing so I forged on. I slowly built my business over the next few years and became known for amazing flowers and great service. As I grew I was able to start hiring staff and I am pleased to say that they are all still with me. My reputation was always extremely important and I knew that's that it would make me a success one day. Well 12 years later, I am here. I met my wonderful husband, had 2 amazing children and I get to go to work and live my passion.
I truly love planning weddings and that's maybe why it doesn't ever feel like work.
Cristina Spoto
President, Bella Flowers Inc.
