Today we’d like to introduce you to Katy Mitchell.
Hi Katy, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Bought the shop three years ago from the previous owner.
I was grieving the loss of my mother and my grief counselor suggested I do something that I used to do with my mom that brought me joy. I immediately thought of flowers as we used to garden and arrange flowers together for all the local churches when I was growing up.
So I contacted D’Rose and I asked if they needed any help for Valentines day and/or Mothers day. They said they would like free labor so I came in to make myself useful. On the last day of mothers day prep The previous owner told me that he had been trying to retire and has been trying to sell the place for a couple years.
I immediately got my finances in a row and we moved to the location we are at now one week before I closed on the business. The parts just fell into place. It was serendipitous to all parties. A joyful time it was!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Growing pains. Since moving to the new location and dropping the third party flower order taking part of the business. We struck out on our own so we can be in more control of what we make and how we service our community. At first we got a lot of grief about how our flowers were more expensive than the previous owner. However, Once they got their flowers we stop hearing complaints about this. The third party flowers (1800 flowers) (avas flowers) we just don’t do business with them anymore. They steal from the customer and they steal from the mom and pops florists. customer buys flowers for $120. The florist gets offered $70 to do the arrangement (which includes delivery) so the $120 the customer paid for flowers and delivery their recipient is receiving $55.00-$65.00 worth of flowers. The only people happy with this is the operators who are making all the money. They never touch a flower. So getting out of the contracts from these companies was imperative and VERY difficult. Teleflora was the most difficult to “getaway” from.
have many more… ask about phones….. oh, Lordy!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We are trying to stay modern and fresh! We love to create light and airy garden arrangements to the value the customer expects rather than what we have to make it for by a third party. We specialize in high-style and garden arrangements. We also use live plants to add a special design element on request. We specialize in large venues and large events. Which means large arrangements, Show stoppers, we call ’em! We love to create things that make people say, WOW!
We are know for garden style and our designers choice. Our regular customers know buy choosing a designers choice they will receive the freshest flowers with a classy design and color palette.
I am most proud of the fact we love our community and we give back consistently. We are a place go to find a great atmosphere, fun people and fun design classes.
We especially love to spread joy one bloom at a time with every one that comes into our shoppe.
How do you think about luck?
I don’t believe in luck but I do believe in blessings. The energy you put out to others does come back to you. So we fill our days with lots of smiles, kind gestures and kind words of comfort and encouragement to all.
Keeping your outlook on the positive things keeps things going and growing in a positive direction at all times. You will never regret being kind to someone.
Pricing:
- deliveries $70-$500
- design or custom parties (your price)
- wedding parties ( make your own bouquet party) (your price)
- Gift baskets/Fruit baskets $120-$250
- Botanicals $35.00-$95 plus delivery
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.droseblacksburgva.com
- Instagram: drose_flower_shop
- Facebook: D’Rose Flowers & gifts
