Customer Spotlight: Thistle Bee the Florist

by Details Flowers ● 5 October ● Designers

Let's Get to Know Thistle Bee the Florist!

Thistle Bee Who?

What a fun start to a conversation with this multi-dimensional, talented, rustic, high-end floral designer! A Knock Knock joke, laughter, and we're off to see how this creative force, Katherine Herrman, creates, jokes, and enjoys being the creative force behind Thistle Bee the Florist! 

What is your business name, and how did you develop it?

Knock, Knock!  Who's there?  This'll Be!  This'll be who?  This will be the last knock-knock joke!  Of course, we did a little changing to that joke, but that's how we chose the name! Thistle Bee the Florist!  Interestingly, we can tell which of our clients have a sense of humor and those who don't!  It's a funny, punny kinda thing!! 

What do you love most about your city and the events that you create?

Stewartsville, New Jersey!  We have a home-based business with a boutique feel.  We are on the border of New York City and Philadelphia, which is fabulous, and we are very close to Lehigh Valley, an up-and-coming venue area! With innovations to old buildings and barns, they are at the forefront of becoming a vibrant and desirable location for weddings. It's like we never do the same thing twice with our locations and variety of venues. 

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What do you love most about the wedding and floral industry?

I love the industry that I fell into!  I worked for someone else, and I learned! I love it - designing and working with clients.  We take pride in everything we do, and it's always different. My favorite is talking with clients, envisioning their desires, and creating the style that will work!  

What do you dislike most about the floral industry?

Seasonality!  It's difficult with a somewhat short spring and summer, but Details Flowers has helped and made my life much easier. It has proven proficiently by getting us through the busy season with ordering and dealing with suppliers.

What are your biggest daily challenges, and how do you overcome them?

Keeping up with proposals, client changes, pricing all the products, and my least favorite, yet extremely necessary, cleaning!  You know an online app makes sense and saves so much time! It's all about those details!!  

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What is your favorite design story and why?

One of my favorite stories is from last year!  It was the first time I had a planner/designer come in with a client.  I was a tad bit apprehensive.  Then we walked through Details Software.  Everything went so smoothly; it was so legitimate, confirmed by the planner/designer who, along with her client, was so happy!! It was a phenomenal feeling!  We planned for four months, and when it was GO TIME - everything was executed as planned and GORGEOUS! 

What is your most significant success when it comes to weddings?  

Our customer service! Filled with compassion and understanding!  Weddings are emotional and stressful! When people feel their voice is heard and they know their budget - we always ask where you feel comfortable with your budget; no sales pitch, we use the Details Flowers Software!  It brings us to the bottom line and allows frank conversation with our clients. We are compassionate communicators and take pride in always working as a team, which also brings us success!

What tips do you have to share with other wedding floral designers? 

If you are starting in the floral industry, you need to be confident!  You won't know everything, but you do need to remember mistakes aren't failures!  Just try things out. There is no one right way to do anything, especially in our creative field.  You can do anything you want!  That's why I sought out the Details Flowers Software. Keep trying. There is no right way when you are a creator of flower design!  

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What do you love most about your floral importers, and what do you value about them?

I moved to Delaware Valley Wholesalers for most of my orders. There's an ease of access!  They have unusual products available, and I can gather things out of season here. They have an excellent customer service team and will let me know if they are non-desirable or offer color switches to accommodate my needs. They communicate for my best benefit!  I love that!

What is your biggest business motivator?

Working with people!  Challenging ourselves to grow and never settle for the status quo! We offer high-quality customer service, love what we do, and our brides know it!  To grow by word of mouth with great reviews is amazing!  This is our fourth official wedding season!!  When you love what you do, it's evident each event is special to us.  We treat each event as The Most Important Event of the year! I always think...how would I want to be treated!!  It only works if you trust me!

How does Details Flowers Event Florist Software improve your bottom line?

Well, it's great it has made my life easier!  The whole, entire process has been streamlined.  So much less time is spent in the administrative areas.  My proposals are much more accessible, and it's so easy to make changes.  I print a binder for each event, which goes with us to each event. The PDFs are included for the team, and everyone has the information about the event; we can double-check and be on the same page. It's beneficial when someone unfamiliar with certain flowers can look at the image and see what goes where in the recipe.  To sum it up, Details Flowers is FABULOUS! 

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

In a warehouse, a vast building creates BIG BEAUTIFUL WEDDINGS!  Staying compassionate, customized, and accessible to everyone. EXPAND and keep enjoying! That's how we grow!

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katherineAbout Thistle Bee The Florist

"For the last 7 years, my team and I have served hundreds of couples with our floral designs. It has always been our mission to not only create work that wows your guests but also to make you feel like you’re a part of our floral family." -Katherine Herrman, Founder & Lead Designer

Since 2014, Thistle Bee has grown to a team of 6 talented florists designing more than 50 weddings each year. They approach each wedding as an opportunity to listen and guide their clients through the stress of planning by handling all the little details, while they enjoy their day.

 

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