Inspiring Conversations with Gimena Cardalda of Solar Wonders

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gimena Cardalda.

Gimena, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am the owner of Solar Wonders flower boutique. Solar Wonders is an online flower boutique that provides artsy flower arrangements, party rentals, and event planning services. The idea of becoming an entrepreneur hadn’t occurred until the pandemic hit. Summer of 2020, I graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a bachelor’s in Biological Sciences and a minor in Psychology. My plan had always been to apply to jobs in the healthcare industry once I finished my bachelors to save up some money for medical school, but that didn’t happen because my dad and I take care of my grandma so we found it difficult to keep her 100% safe if I started a job in the health field at that time. That is when I started thinking of ways I could work from home. I found myself going across Pinterest boards finding DIY’s of items I could make myself and that’s where I found preserved roses. I started researching into the product and finally found a wholesaler that didn’t just show me the beauty of preserved roses but also showed me the beauty of fresh flowers, Specifically the artistic flowers. I had never seen fresh airbrushed roses in any flower shop I had ever been in my life. I took my chances and implemented these artistic roses to my flower boutique because I wanted to be different. Being an entrepreneur has given me the opportunity to have enough time to study for the medical school’s admissions exam while creating an amazing business venture that brings out my creative side all at the same time.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
When I started, my biggest challenge was being a self-taught florist. I literally learned everything there is to flowers, supplies, and storage from YouTube. It took some trial and error when it came to the flower boxes, but there is nothing you can’t learn in this life. The second challenge I faced was learning how to open a business properly with no knowledge from friends or family since I am the first in my family to officially open a business.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Solar Wonders?
My regular work routine consists of waking up early in the morning, cleaning and processing flowers, working on orders, taking phone calls, organizing social media posts, taking care of finances, delivering orders, and thinking of new floral creations. I take care of about every aspect of my business. I’m also always finding ways to connect with the community, which is why I participate in local farmer’s markets as well. The flower boxes I make are unique and serve as perfect gifts since they are already in a box. A lot of people think my flower boxes are made with dried flowers but are surprised to find out the flower boxes contain floral foam filled with water that will make your arrangement last the same amount of time as a vase. Also, Younger people nowadays have lessened the value of flowers, which is why I create unique artistic arrangements by combining floral paint and elegance to change the way they see flowers. Not only do I make big floral boxes, but I also make mini ones for events and for our flower cart rental.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I was born in 1999 in the capital of Peru, Lima. I landed in Florida when I was three years old and the first thing I remember is crying in kindergarten because I didn’t know a single word of English. I grew up being shy and participating in sports, but I had never ventured into crafts/arts. Fast-forwarding to 2021, I’m bilingual now in English and Spanish and I’m glad to have been given the opportunity to be in this wonderful country that provides people with the opportunity to grow in whatever their area of interest is and I finally discovered my artistic side. I graduated from Florida Atlantic University in 2020 and I finished with a bachelor in biological sciences while also opening up my very own online flower business.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: WWW.SOLARWONDERS.SHOP
• Instagram: Solarwonders