Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria-Irene Guerrero.
Maria-Irene, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I love what I do, and couldn’t be more passionate.
Creating a floral arrangement for a special someone… nothing like that happy emotion that can be transferred by sending such a love gesture and making somebody’s day! Create a beautiful table setting, collaborate on a spectacular event, teach a room full of flower lovers, add those final touches to any commercial space, hotels, homes or simply become part of family’s special moments, such as weddings, birthdays, just any occasion! Happy and pleased customers are the best part of my job.
Thankfully, I love what I do, so I don’t consider it a job, but just what I love to do for a living. 🙂
I am originally from Caracas, Venezuela, but have been living in the US for 23 years. My childhood years where extremely happy and very much creative and hands-on, as my mother was an artist in my eyes, and it’s what I always saw and learned. Everything she did was an extension of her creative self. She sewed and knit, made beautiful faux flower arrangements, cooked, gardened, and God knows how much more. Anything she put her heart and commitment to, she did, and it always came out beautifully. Whenever she saw something she liked, she would figure out how to make it. She raised my sisters and me to appreciate and to see and seek beauty in everything. My dad was the responsible, most driven, and the hard-working person I knew. He was in his late 50’s when I was born, so in other words, I was raised by an old school but an incredibly respectful man who did not have any excuse for anything. Luck came to those who work harder and did everything with a full heart. I couldn’t be prouder and blessed for everything he instilled in me.
While studying and working jobs here and there, in the year 2003, I realized that event planning was going to be my hobby, so that’s how it all started, but quickly, I fell in love with just the Event Design itself. I truly appreciated and paid the most attention to all related to the décor and look of all these amazing events I was being part of. In 2008, I decided to open my Floral & Event Design business. It started with a retail store, but after five years, I turned it into a studio where we can now offer every single aspect of the floral industry services.
Great, 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?
I see my struggles as positives that keep me wanting more, keep me interested in what I do, and make me hungrier to innovate, design newer and better things and become better every day.
But of course, it hasn’t been easy. At first, was the struggle of having to do everything by myself… even though I still do most of the work. I delegate and have a lot of support, but in the end, my quality and persistence after all these years have been that final touch that I give to all of my creations and designs. It’s the eye of the Virgo perfectionist in me that just wants to make sure quality never ever gets sacrificed… with that comes a lot of work, planning, organizing!
My second struggle which has been for almost half of my years in business has been my mother side… being present to a lot but also having to sacrifice many important aspects because of my work. So, as a business woman that I am, it’s just being able to find that great balance, and also accept and try to put aside the very well known mommy’s gilt! 😉
I always remind myself of the great example I am giving my daughter. Showing her the importance of hard work and instill in her true values of life.
It also helps me to now, that there is nothing else in this life that I rather am doing! I love being around, working and designing art with flowers.
The Flower Trend LLC – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Since 2003, with over 15 years in the events and flower business… I can take care of anything related to floral needs. I am passionate about designs and work together with our clients to create beautiful and memorable high-quality designed events and flower arrangements for any type of event or occasion. We also offer custom weekly arrangements for hotels, restaurants, offices, and homes. We cover any corporate events, personal events, Charity, Gala events, Weddings! and much more.
I think even though Flower Trend is not a huge company, yet! I always think huge… there is nothing that I wouldn’t do or want to get my hands on… I look for that specific need that is a must and that is so hard to find, like our personalized baskets or newborn crates. You definitely need to check those out, they are amazing, and clients that buy from us won’t stop because there is nothing out there that compares.
There’s also a lot of competition that would cover one side or another from the flower business. But just as I mentioned… I will cover a small dinner for 10 to any weddings or corporate events for thousands.
Also, I’ve realized true and honest customer service goes really far. Miami is probably not the city with the highest rate in reliable services… haha, don’t get me wrong, I love my city. But in true honesty, I believe that good service, being available at all times when needed and always deliver higher than expected results is a big plus for me and has always been from day one.
That is the one thing I don’t budge. I still answer emails at 11 pm and respond to customer text messages at very odd times. And yes, even though I might be getting them used to it… I do it with pleasure.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Not sure if this is the answer you are looking for… but this is definitely what came to mind first. And it is something my dad said to me over and over…
“The harder you work, the more luck you will achieve…” and for me, every day has been a testament of that.
I wish all the time days would be longer… definitely need more hours in days to accomplish much more.
I also think the more learning I get, the better and more accomplished I feel. There is never too much learning. So, every time I get a chance, I disconnect and go learn so more, I connect with other florists, learn from them, become friends and find that the best inspirations come from traveling and experiencing new things.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.theflowertrend.com
- Phone: 305-905-6150
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @flowertrend
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theflowerbudonline/
Image Credit:
@alejandraescalantephoto, @thelunchboxphoto
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