Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Christoferson.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I first became interested in floral design while studying abroad and interning with one of London’s leading florists. After graduating from Cornell University with a degree in interior design, I worked for several major retail and event florists in the Chicago area. When my husband Mike and I decided to move to New England, we fell in love with the historic town of Exeter; I opened cymbidium floral in Exeter in April 2005, fulfilling my dream of creating an urban floral boutique in a small town.
My parents have always been extremely supportive of my dream endeavor and I couldn’t have created this business without them. The first few years my mom commuted an hour and a half each way to come help me out in the shop. My dad and step-mom would help me do deliveries and set up events when I needed extra help.
It took a few years to find the perfect cymbidium team but I am extremely fortunate to have found Stacey and Theresa, who are wonderfully talented and kind people who have helped grow cymbidium each year. We are now a cymbidium family, having worked together for over 9 years and shared in many important moments together such as the birth of my two children, the maturing of Theresa’s four daughters, and Stacey’s marriage to a cymbidium customer! I also owe a huge amount of my success to the courier service I partnered with at the very beginning and have been working with ever since. Without Bill and his team getting our flowers where they need to go we’d be in big trouble!
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’m so lucky that it has been a very smooth road, with cymbidium growing almost every year. The biggest struggles I had were at the beginning; finding the right team and figuring out the right balance of work and family life when I had my children, who are now 4 and 6.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Cymbidium Floral – what should we know?
We are a boutique flower shop specializing in our own lush and low design style. Each arrangement is different. We do our best work when given some creative freedom based on our customer’s requests, such as a favorite flower or color. Our arrangements are known for unique flowers, textures and color combinations.
We also offer flowers sold by the stem artfully displayed in the shop for our customers to select on their own. There are orchids, succulents, and air plants, as well as greeting cards from a variety of independent designers, gourmet treats, and handmade jewelry made by Theresa.
I’m most proud that we’ve been successful in business for over 12 years and the three of us are doing what we love. We are able to share our passions with our customers and help make their lives more beautiful and vibrant. Over the past 12 years we’ve shared many occasions with our customers, both happy and sad. We especially love recognizing their milestone events with flowers: from prom and graduation, to wedding, to congratulations on a new baby. It’s great to be a part of all these important life stages and gives us a kinship with our community that is truly special.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Being positive!
Contact Info:
- Address: 141 Water St
Exeter, NH 03833 - Website: www.cymbidiumfloral.com
- Phone: 603-772-1300
- Email: info@cymbidiumfloral.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cymbidiumfloral/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cymbidiumfloral/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/cymbidiumfloral
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/cymbidium-floral-exeter
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/cymbidiumfloral/
Image Credit:
Emily Tebbetts Photography (for the image of the bridal party)
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