We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jessica Ferguson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jessica below.
Jessica, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
Growing up, I always went to work with my dad. He was a coffee salesman at the time. From him, I learned how to have fun, be personable and work efficiently. Sometimes even working two jobs. He taught me how to work hard and have a strong work ethic. Fast forward to my first job, working at a very busy flower shop. It was here that I learned out to work in a very fast paced environment and multitask. I took on the position as a shop lead and helped run the sister shop, where I was the only staff to operate the shop on a daily basis. To this day I utilize so many qualities that I learned from my dad and the flower shop.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am the owner/operator/lead designer of J.Lea Florals. Weddings are the main focus of the business, but I also branch out to provide flowers for any event, special occasion or just to send someone flowers. Weddings have my heart. I love love of all types and love celebrating two amazing humans who love each other! To me, flowers spread so much joy. From a wedding decked out in gorgeous flowers, to making someone’s day brighter with a flower delivery. It makes my heart so happy. I am so passionate about what I do, most days don’t even feel like work to me. J.Lea Florals began in 2020 and is currently running out of my house. While a house full of flowers sounds like a dream, it is finally time for this small business to move out of the house and open up a studio!! I am excited to share that in the near future J.Lea Florals will have our own space to call home and invite clients to visit.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, when I began working at the flower shop I knew nothing. I didn’t know what the names of flowers were. Shoot, I didn’t even know where to begin to make a flower arrangement. Within the 5 years I worked there I learned names of flowers, the quality of the flowers, colors they come in and seasons. I also gained skills and experience making arrangements, from specific recipes to creating unique pieces on my own. Running the other stores taught me the qualities it took to run a shop on my own. So my advice to anyone beginning their business journey, whether you are a florist or any other job would be to go all in. Learn all you can about what you are doing. From the product, styles, pricing, and everything in between. The more you know, the more value you can contribute. And, never stop learning and growing!
How would you describe your ideal client?
My ideal client is someone who is excited to work with me, trusts me and gives me creative freedom. When a client fully trusts what I can do and gives me creative freedom the outcome is just amazing!! Creative freedom gives me the ability to work with the best seasonal products, instead of stressing trying to make sure I get the perfect shade of pink my client is looking for. This freedom allows me to go off vibe, styles and colors creating such a wonderful outcome!
Contact Info:
- Website: jleaflorals.com
- Instagram: J.Lea Florals
Image Credits
Celeste Burns Photography Wild Alchemy Photos
