Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Roberts.
Hi Nicole, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
When I was 16, a family friend asked if I wanted to help out delivering flowers for Valentine’s Day for her shop. I lived in Pennsylvania and the roads had not yet been plowed and I totaled my Dad’s Cherokee on the way to work. Rolled it and everything (Sorry, Dad). Anyway, I still wanted to help so she put me to work in the shop, rather than delivering. She was very supportive with everything I made and very encouraging. I worked there through high school and college. I loved it, but I loved my then boyfriend more so I moved to be with him in Richmond. We married in June 2006 and decided to open Nicola Flora in 2007. It was a lot of work, transforming a barber shop into a flower store. We custom built the cooler and the pond inside. In 2011 a very sweet injured black cat entered the shop while the doors were open for fresh air. I closed the doors and called the vet to care for him. After he was all healed up, he decided to stay. That was our boy named Sue. He was the best mascot and was Employee of the Year from 2011-2026. People would come in just to see Sue and he loved all of the attention. Sue is on 2 murals, a book, several magazines, and even on a map for Working Cats of Richmond. He passed away in February this year and is greatly missed by all.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Building a business has so many challenges. I am a certified art teacher. I didn’t study business. I’m so thankful for my husband’s support and knowledge along this journey. We survived the recession and the pandemic. We survived the early days when there wasn’t one sale all day. We survived when the water was shut off in the city and when the cooler broke during Valentine’s Day. We just kept going and made it work. He had faith in me when I didn’t. I am still learning and I love it.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I like to make people happy, so I work with my customers to make sure they get exactly what they want for a price they can afford. I like to think that my work is a bit more unique than your standard flower shop arrangements. While other flower shops are all nice, I like to try to be a little more artistic and creative when creating my arrangements. Also, I love getting to know my customers and their families. I am honored that they rely on me to add a little magic to their special occasions.
What’s next?
I would love to have another location, however, I love my neighborhood too much! I look forward to learning new things and meeting new people along the way. I have some ideas for the future but nothing is set in stone just yet.
Pricing:
- I like making arrangements that are affordable for everyone!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://nicolaflora.com
- Instagram: nicolaflora
- Facebook: Nicola Flora
