Today we’d like to introduce you to Celia Novello.
Celia, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I consider my extent floral training eclectic. I grew up in Gloucester, Ma got my first job at the 16 at Wolf Hill Garden Center, When I graduated from Gloucester High School in the spring of 2001, I spent the summer selling annuals and perennials at Wolf Hill, that fall I moved to New York City to attend college- since there were no real “garden centers” on the island of Manhattan I got a job at a flower shop called Rooster Flowers, it was a real metropolitan flower shop, we did no deliveries, weddings or funerals so I really just got trained in wrapping bouquets. Over the next 3 years- I worked at Rooster Flowers in Columbus Circle NYC, then came back to Gloucester for the summers, to sell plants and design gardens. In 2005 I decided to transfer schools to University of Hawaii Hilo, located on big island where I obtained my bachelor’s degree in the spring of 2006, when not in school or on the beach, I spent my time in botanical gardens. In 2007 I left Hawaii back to New York City, and took a job at Chelsea Garden Center, as a sales person where I excelled at container gardening. I returned back to Gloucester in definitely in 2008 with the dream of opening my own small flower shop- I filled the time between 2008 and 2012 working at numerous flower shops on the north shore, in Gloucester, Peabody, and Lynnfield- I even spent some time working in wholesale production at Baystate Farm Direct in Wilmington. In 2011 I started laying the footing for Celia’s Flower Studio which I officially opened in Gloucester in August of 2012
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Running a small business and being a sole proprietor of something is always hard- while small challenges usually lead to large victories- I would have to say that day to cash flow was the hardest lesson to learn, also the fact that the product is perishable making sure, the correct product is beautiful and available to you when you need it keeps you on your toes.
Celia’s Flower Studio – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I opened my business because I loved doing weddings, knowing weddings would be the center of my business- I do between 60-75 a season which would absolutely be what I am the most proud of being that I am predominately a “one man show”- Celia’s is known for unique design and a modern style- when it comes to my design esthetic I feel like less is more- I feel Celia’s stands out from the pack with my bold designs.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success is a loaded term, I think it comes with lots of compartments- of course making my desired profit margin on each large event and each work week is a huge part of it, but larger scale, I remember I’m 34 and wake up excited for work and the day because I am living my dream. I was wired to design flowers and I was blessed with communication, and business skills, I personally think I hit the jackpot- sure would it be nice to get a weekly pay check, or not have to be concerned with outrageous health care prices but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Pricing:
- Daily deliveries start at 40$
Contact Info:
- Address: 77 Langsford St
Gloucester, MA 01930 - Website: celiasflowerstudio.com
- Phone: 9788794490
- Email: celiagibs64@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceceflwers/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/celiasflowerstudio/
Image Credit:
Alissa Curcuru Photography, BW Gibson Photography, Bharat Parmar Photography, Brendan Pike Films
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