We were lucky to catch up with Eric And Lauren Wiehe recently and have shared our conversation below.
Eric and Lauren, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
Anytime someone asks me about our ability to do something new or different at the farm, I think “let me ask the boss”… and then I remember that, that’s me! What a gift it is to have the freedom to help others make their dream or vision a reality without having to consult a manager or board before making a decision. Every season I feel like an imposter until the very first bloom opens, then everything else falls in to place. I don’t know that, that feeling will ever completely go away.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
By trade, I am an educator and Eric is a manager for a large construction engineering company. We both actively work in our fields in addition to the farm. The Louisburro Flower farm is several things. We began as a beverage burro (donkey) business, traveling to events around the KC metro providing concierge delivery service via miniature donkeys. This service is now available on site at the farm. We are also a commercial peony producer, a U-pick flower farm, a photography hub, and a small hosting rental site for birthdays, graduation parties, bridal, and baby showers May-October.
The Louisburro Flower Farm has afforded us the opportunity to merge the things we love the most. Hosting events and getting to know our community, while simultaneously getting to be home with our family.
We would love for you to visit! Our hours and events are posted weekly on our Facebook and Instagram pages.
October 11 & 12 we will make our debut on the 2025 Miami County Farm tour. The farm will be open to the public from 10-4 both days. Free to attend! We will have a food truck, live music, and praying for beautiful weather! Make a weekend of it and visit multiple farms on the tour. Every farm has free entry and offers some for of education or entertainment.
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?
Drive for personal success. I have always had a job. From age 16 on, I balanced multiple jobs, well into my 20’s. Not because I had to, but because I wanted to stay busy. Learn more, create more. Lots and lots of customer service experience that I still use daily. No one can want your dream for you, you have to create it.
Networking. When others tell me their business is struggling, this is what I go back to. I have a strict rule. I will NEVER ask a friend or family member to buy my product. BUT, I will tell them about it if they ask. I will drop off flowers to local businesses, friends, and the local schools. Give what you can afford. Your product will sell itself when those around you, believe in YOU and what you’re doing.
Friendly demeanor. It is so important to make your guests feel welcome and wanted. Floral businesses have a reputation for not always being the friendliest. I don’t know what it is about those titles, but it has been my experience as well. I want to be the exact opposite of that. When you do business with us, we want you to feel like part of our family. Our farm should feel like home away from home. When you leave, we want you to be excited to come back.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
They believed in me. Probably at times they shouldn’t have. My mom was a Pinterest mom, before there was Pinterest. She is a crafter and creator. If there was something I dreamed or doodled up for the indoors, she was helping me make it a reality. My dad is the same way and anything I have ever dreamed or drawn up, he has helped me execute. The picnic tables in the field will always be my favorite because they were made by Eric and my dad.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: thelouisburroflowerfarm
- Facebook: The Louisburro Flower Farm
Image Credits
Marie Wiedenmann- Untamed Wild Photography
Tonya Tomoroy- Expressions Exposed Photography
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
