Today we’d like to introduce you to Sue Mondeau.
Hi Sue, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have always known I was creative but I didn’t have the typically encouraged skills of drawing and painting that we were exposed to at school. My mom is extremely creative and a jack of all trades and with her encouragement I started making and selling jewelry at local craft fairs when I was in middle school and high school. I have been rearranging furniture in any room they’d let me since then as well. I wanted to go to art school for metal smithing and when that didn’t work out I got a BSW at UNCG and was a social worker. I started doing wedding flowers for folks who had a 100$ or $200 to spend on wedding flowers and other wise wouldn’t have any flowers at their wedding. And I would challenge myself to see what I could make happen for that amount. I realized quite quickly that I couldn’t get enough of flowers. When my kids were little I started gardening during their nap times and couldn’t get enough of that either and so I started helping folks with their yards and added container gardens into the mix. I learned that I really enjoy helping make the beautiful and ordinary parts of peoples lives magical. I do a variety of things that add the sparkle to their lives: interior design, gardens, container gardens, arrangements, weddings, events, gift baskets,
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Because I have a variety of things I offer- I have grown my business more slowly than if I was just doing weddings or arrangements, wreath workshops, or interior design.
I’m never sure if something will be a one off or a lifetime of working with someone or with another vendor.
There are seasons of my work like Jan and June and July that are just slower because of the weather and seasonal fluctuations.
It has been painfully slow building a following
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in over the top florals for weddings and events. Interior design, wreath workshops, garden design, container gardens, bespoke custom holiday wreaths and garlands, porch scapes and gift baskets.
The amount of things I can offer sets me apart. When you move into a house sometimes you need a variety of help with decor, design, a plan for outside, planters for your porch. Getting your porch ready for the holidays or Help planning your tablescape for Thanksgiving and I can assist with all those things. If you are getting married I can do florals for you bridal shower, gift baskets for your bridal party, rehearsal dinner flowers and day of florals and decor for your big day. I’m a one stop shop in some ways and because I work for myself, you always get to work directly with the owner!
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Follow what you love and let that curiosity and engagement lead you to people that love those things too. There are so many resources to assist with learning different skills or teaching you how to get better at your passions – volunteer your time to work along someone that interests you. When we lived in Scotland, I worked for a florist very very part time- I can’t remember if I was even paid. I conditioned flowers and swept the floor but I studied everything about how she packed the flowers for delivery to the fact that the back room needed more space to be functional sometimes just being around people doing what you are interested in is best thing!
Contact Info:
- Website: Susus-petals..com
- Instagram: @sususpetalsrva
