Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in floristry but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Leslie Fuentes, creator/lead floral designer of La Fuente de Flores, located in Dallas, Texas, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am a DFW + Travel floral designer for weddings and events. Typically my customers tend to be those who appreciate and find flowers to be an important aspect of their big day, no matter the celebration. I create designs and color stories that complement their party vision. I believe the best part is bouncing off ideas and coming up with unique, hardly ever-used designs for each couple or client.
Tell us about yourself
I started my journey in floral design through a special program my high school offered. I applied for the program when I was 15, got accepted, and loved every minute we got a chance to work with florals. At 19, I watched my parents struggle with taking turns dropping me off and picking me up at my local community college. I decided to withdraw from the rest of the semester and find ways to make enough money to buy my own car. I was working two jobs and started my business before the pandemic. I am now 22, still enrolled in college (with my car, of course), and luckily, people love and support my work through flowers. I am the oldest sibling out of 4. I think as the oldest sibling, we carry a lot on our shoulders, and one of those is to inspire those right behind us. My family is what motivates me the most, I've watched them struggle and yet give us what we needed, and I want to give that back to them as a thank you. I hope to inspire others to pursue their passions and love the work they create.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I think my biggest accomplishment by far would be my little home-based studio. After three years of starting my business, my dad was able to help me build my studio right outside of our house so I wouldn't continue to work in our cramped dining room. It was helped me out tremendously, and I can only hope to accomplish bigger things.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Making time for yourself and separating work time from "me" time. Especially if you don't have another team member, work can become very tedious just for one person. I can get so caught up with work and take most of my day just working that I completely forget that I have other things to do.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Stay true to yourself; what works for someone else may not work for you. Create work you love! I began my business by saying yes to any project I could do and never really got any satisfaction from it. People love authenticity, and you should be able to have freedom within your own business. Last but not least, have fun doing what you love the most. Work will never truly feel like work when you enjoy doing it.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.lafuentedeflores.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lafuentedeflores/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lafuentedeflores/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/fuentedeflores
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.