A little about what's happening in our big flower world...
Our Autumn Swags and Wreaths are now available! Each design is custom created for our unique and special customers. We use a combination of fresh flowers and greenery with dried materials foraged from all over the Golden State.
To order, see our "Place an Order" page and complete the request form or simply email thepollenmill@gmail.com with your inquiry. Orders at this time have a minimum one-week turn around.
Investment: Swags start at $65 and Wreaths at $115
Just a little sneak peek from the Mediterranean Romance wedding flowers we designed this past weekend. More to come. Happy Monday. XO
Cafe Au Lait Dahlias, Blushing Bride Protea, White Pom Pom Dahlias, Seeded Eucalyptus, Stellata Pods, Spray Roses, and White Wax Flower.
Coral Dahlia Bud, Wax Flower, Seeded Eucalyptus, Stellata Pods, Sage, Passion Flower.
We are so excited to have our designs featured on Bespoke Bride: Wedding Blog! Here are some images of our Styled Photo Shoot at Rock Creek Vineyard. Huge thanks to Crystal Lynn Photography for submitting our pictures. We always love working with the very talented Crystal and massively appreciate her gentle soul. Another big thank you to the other vendors who made this shoot an amazing one: Seamless Details: Styling and Signs, Pieces of Time: Vintage Furniture & Accessories, Jessica Elise Hmua: Hair & Make-Up.
Cheers to a job well done! XO
You can see the full feature here: http://www.bespoke-bride.com/2014/08/19/love-lavender-lemonade-a-styled-shoot/
(Click on photo blow to view gallery of images)
We've been hitting the ground running, filling our fire with forks, and jumping off cliffs hoping for nets. It's the only way to take the world by the horns...Right? Maybe?
If you asked me six months ago where we would be today, I would have never said here. It's hard to believe it has been six months since officially opening our doors...I mean mind-blowning. I didn't have many expectations for what would happen with this little flower biz. I was just fine with throwing sand into the wind and holding my eyes closed really, really tight. But what happened was nothing like anticipated.
I met so many new faces. Many which immediately became friends, mentors, muses, angel-sweet-magician-helpers who are steering me along this journey to build and establish my little business. They are true motivators who keep me up into the wee hours of night, thinking, planning, glowing with excitement. It seems impossible that one, simple conversation can have such an impact on life...but it can. You bet your booty it can! And I've watched it happen over and over.
Last month marked a few photo shoot adventures, weddings, rehearsal dinners, fundraisers, anniversaries, baby showers, and more. And as we come to the end of summer and start of autumn, it's Groundhog's Day. Feeling more and more the same with continued requests for pastel centerpieces made with peonies that are long gone. That's not a complaint, it is a treasure. I see it as still getting to be a teacher of sorts. I teach my clients about the seasonality of flowers and how our dry winter and summer impacts availability as well as cost. Days filled with meeting new people, brainstorming ideas, creating inspiration boards, and designing flowers...shoot, it all makes me smile.
Now six months later, with a collection of forks, nets, and tired toes, we are embarking on exciting new realms and peeking out of those squinted closed eyes to see a glimmer of what is about to happen...
First, we are going to put our green thumb to the test and start planting. I mean, actually planting, like on acreage. We were offered a sweet space to put down some roots and pray that we actually get SOME rain this fall. With plants going into the soil in the next few weeks, we will be watching, waiting, learning, no doubt failing, and trying to figure out how the heck to grow mass quantities of dreamy blooms for our designs. It's going to be a real experience being a Goal Digger. If you'd like to take your hand in planting, feel free to shoot me a message. We are going to need all the help we can get to plant, weed, seed, till.
Second, I have been asked to be the curator of a museum exhibit for next spring. Our exhibit will feature floral and botanical designs in their natural form. I am in the process of pulling together potential exhibitors, so if you know someone who is a local florist or floral designer in Solano County or the surrounding area, please shoot me an email with their contact information. The exhibit will launch next spring with many special activities and events. Please keep your eyes peeled for what happens next.
With that said, I am still trying to take it all in. I told my husband and brother-in law the other day, that sometimes when I talk to people about how work/the business is going, I feel like I am talking about someone else who I happen to know a lot about. Because it really hasn't hit me yet that so much that has happened, is happening, and is about to happen. So, HEEHAW cowgirl! I better get a saddle (and a helmet)!
Oh and one last thing, we have a few more spots left for our DIY Floral Fun Workshop~Flower Crowns on 8.27.14 at Pietro's #1 from 6:00-8:00pm. Please email thepollenmill@gmail.com if you are interested in signing up. Details are under the "Events & Workshops" tab of our website.
As always, thank you for believing in me and my little floral dream. It's people like you who are making it all come true. Love Locally!
Laurie Rosenthal & Betsy Rogers of Financial Celebrations
Local Women Empower~ Betsy Rogers of Financial Celebrations
Betsy and her mother, Laurie, are are business partners for Financial Celebrations, an Independent Broker Business. The purpose of their company is to develop relationships with people seeking to improve their lives by reducing or eliminating financial confusion. Financial Celebrations serves people who seek more harmony and joy in their lives coupled with the responsibility to take action and a willingness to be educated on the necessary steps to financial freedom. They provide guidance with a level of concern, knowledge, understanding, and kindness in such a way that customers feel like they are their only clients. Financial Celebrations is located right here in North Vacaville and just celebrated their 10 year anniversary this past June!
So what does “an independent broker business” mean? Well, they are not linked to any one company so they can offer clients a variety of options for planning their financial future. They take their time getting to know each client. “It is so important for us to also take the time to understand a person’s relationship with money. Experiences they've had in the past, how their money situation is currently, and what they want it to look like in retirement.” They then create a plan and discuss strategies that make sense for each client’s different situation. Betsy & Laurie meet regularly with clients to review account status, make appropriate changes, as well as provide annual updates of their overall financial status and reinvent their plans as necessary.
These ladies have an outstanding reputation and gain their clients solely through word-of-mouth referrals and recommendations. They not only run their successful business, but both are mothers of large families. Betsy has three children under the age of 7, I wish someone bottled that kind of energy and focus!
Here’s our little interview with Betsy. Enjoy!
How long have you been in business?
June 5th, 2005 we started with Financial Celebrations. My Mom has been in financial planning since 1996. Prior to that, she and my father owned their own HVAC company for 15 years. In addition, my mom also sold real estate and was a mortgage broker. She is a wealth of information having various positions within the business world. It has been such a blessing learning all that she knows and incorporating that knowledge into our practice. I also worked for a mortgage company for 3 years in college before going into business with my mom.
What are your specialties and/or what type of service do you provide?
Investment strategies while saving for retirement and then while in retirement. We offer 401Ks, profit-sharing, IRAs, college investing, life insurance and family living trusts, as well as estate planning. We really take the time to get to know our clients and help them navigate through the planning process... What are their goals? When do they want to retire? How do they want to retire (hobbies, travel, etc.)? How much do they want in retirement? Are they saving for college or a new home? We run the numbers and help them track and monitor their investments on a regular basis to reach these goals.
Who is your target client?
Being that we gain clients by referral, we serve people of all ages, incomes, and net worth. When people are nearing retirement, we help manage how to draw on their investments and build strategies fit for their financial freedom goals. We also find ourselves helping people who have received an inheritance. They know they want to be wise and get a better return than what banks may be offering. We seem to connect the with people who are successful in their business or careers but want outside help with understanding all that is involved in the investing world. So, we take them through the investment process slowly and methodically, so they can learn as much as they’d like.
Have you earned any recognition or awards for your business?
I have been on the STARS team with Jackson for the last 7+ years and on Fidelity’s Advisor Counsel for the past 5+ years. Personally, it's nice to have these plaques but they are in a box in my garage… not at all why I do what I do. Instead, our office is full of our client’s pictures, newsletters, and flyers of events we offer as our business about our clients not us.
You just celebrated your ten year anniversary of being in business, Congratulations! How has your business grown/changed in the last ten years?
Being that we are not natives of Vacaville or even California for that matter, it was a challenge to start a referral-based business. We’ve received overwhelming support from our clients. Our business just keeps growing. It is a huge compliment and an honor to work with the people God has put in our path.
Getting personal with Betsy…
How did you first become interested in business/finance?
I loved all my business classes in college. My brain relates to numbers very well. In addition, I just love people, so this career is a perfect fit. When I was in college I served an internship working with my Mom. I went with her on appointments and watched her help all kinds of people. I got to see how much they truly appreciated her guidance and counsel. She always mentions the day I turned to her after graduation and said “I think I want to do what you do!” She calls this “The Dream She Never Dreamt.” She never thought she would be in business with one of her children and that it has been a dream come true.
What do you love most about your job?
Working with our amazing clients. When I say we really get to know our clients, I mean we really get to know our clients! It's not just numbers, there is so much emotion connected to finances and I have learned a lifetime of lessons from our clients. I feel so blessed that they share their life stories. Therefore, I can learn to be a better person, professionally and personally, learning from their stories and life circumstances. Just when I think I have heard it all, a client will share a life experience, perspective or paradigm, I have never even considered and it feels life changing. Everything is confidential but I can then share their theories with others. I love that part of my job.
How have other women in business helped you grow? (personally or as a business)
Being that my industry is male dominant, I laugh when I go to sponsored events and get looks and questions like “whose secretary are you?” It kills me! But, other women always motivate me professionally because I see the way they really care. Not that men don’t, of course they they do. For example, Susan who works in my office has really helped me grow. She is our business manager and we are so fortunate to have her on our team. She is the most diligent, faithful, loyal, prompt, and detail oriented business manager on the planet! I believe you teach people how to treat you and she has taught me so much about expectations and what to tolerate and what not to in a professional and tasteful way. Also our clients who are single women, some widowed, some divorced, some never married, they motivate me to be their guide and partner in figuring out the financial world. I want to be a resource they can trust and approach for solid informative guidance.
What are some dreams or goals you have as an entrepreneur and a business partner?
My goal is to always do what is right, keep learning, and try to be my best for all of my clients. God will take care of the rest. My dream is to always love what I do as much as I do now.
Who or what inspires you?
My Mom is and will always be my greatest inspiration. I could write a book on her life, motivation, and successes. My mom and dad divorced when I was 12 years old. As a mother of four, she raised us practically on her own while attending college full-time and working a full-time job. Somehow, she never missed one sporting event or school function. I don’t know how she did it. She’s always said she had no choice, but that’s not true. She had a choice, and it was to be the best woman possible for her kids. She cares for people deeply and selflessly. She loves to learn, teach, serve, and help others. I have seen her fight for so long and in the meantime smile, love, and make life happen all along the way. She encouraged me to get my education, be honest, hard working, and be true to myself, my family, and all I come across. She’s pretty amazing.
Thank you Betsy and Laurie for bringing your huge hearts and phenomenal skills to our Vacaville community. We love your inspired and kind approach to what can be a scary topic for many people, finance (just saying the word makes me shiver). Congratulations on ten years of success and true determination. May the next ten be filled with much joy and prosperity!
XO~ The Pollen Mill
Last weekend we were blessed to take part in a photo shoot at Soul Food Farm on Pleasants Valley Road here in Vacaville. This place, is just, phenomenal. Every time I step foot on this property, I feel like I turn into a child again and want to skip, roll around with bare feet, and talk to the chickens and trees (ok, so maybe not much has changed and I still regularly do all of these things but yeah, it really brings out the hippie spirit).
Alexis, the owner of Soul Food Farm has a beautifully comforting spirit. She is easy to talk to, even easier to love, genuinely caring and very supportive of our little community. Not only is Soul Food Farm a working farm raising chickens, lavender, and olives but it is on the verge of becoming the new "it" venue for events and weddings in the area. With the barn doors about to swing open, Alexis has hired one amazing event planner to take on the feat of helping to plan events on the farm. Amber is working to coordinate events and make your special day as flawless as the farm surroundings. She is talented and kind with a warming smile. Her humble sense of style and simple beauty made for some amazing photographs last weekend. Amber is not only the event coordinator, but a talented photographer as well. Her work can be seen at http://mysweetnessphotography.blogspot.com/
Check out the venue in all its glory, amongst the beauty of the whimsical olive orchard on a particularly bright and sunny evening.
These olive trees scream "come frolic in my branches" about as much as Shel Silverstein's The Giving Tree.
These summer flowers were selected in bright but soft hues to compliment the silver in the olive branches and golden grasses.
Peach dahlias, pink rice flower, immature hydrangeas, gomphrena, and blushing bride protea snuggle up and embrace.
Tulips in full bloom stretch out their petals passed a cafe au lait dahlia.
And the mix & match china and crystal, place settings...Ugh, stop it already with the cuteness
Just breathtaking.
Thank you Alexis and Amber (Soul Food Farm & My Sweetness Photography) for asking us to be a part of this beauty. We love working with you and we are excited for our many adventures to come! XO
We've had a lot of inquiries lately about the ins-and-outs of our business. So, we figured we would put together a little Q&A session for you.
Question: Where do you get your flowers? I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you. JUST KIDDING! We source our flowers from growers right here in Solano County, some reach further north into Capay Valley and Roseville and as south as Half Moon Bay and Watsonville. We also work with wholesale markets in Davis, Sacramento, and San Francisco. We do grow some of our blooms right here in our home. Mostly greenery and vines but also some specialty accent flowers. My mom grows gorgeous flowers and I try to steal from her garden as often as possible but she's got a pretty tight eye on those gorgeous prize possessions. If you know of anyone with a garden or just some beautiful homegrown flowers in the area, please let them know I am always looking to source local blooms. I will gladly pay top dollar to cut fresh stems from their fields or garden!
Question: Do you use Floral Foam? Why not? We do not use Floral Foam. Haven't touched the stuff in years. Floral foam is chalked full of chemicals that are known to harm humans, animals, and the environment. Some of these chemicals include: formaldehyde, carbon black, and barium sulfate. Side effects from exposure to these can include: liver and bladder changes/abnormalities, lung damage, skin and eye irritation, muscle incoordination, central nervous system depression, narcosis, reproductive disease and disorders, cancer, and death. Pretty g-r-o-s-s. All of these chemicals are listed as acute and chronic hazardous materials under their Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). Floral foam is not biodegradable as it is a plastic and most often must be disposed of just after one use. Instead, we use other materials (for example: moss, vines, chicken wire, flower frogs) and techniques to hold our blooms in place and ensure they are well watered and fed. While some believe floral foam extends the life of the flowers, the best care for prolonging flowers and plants is simply, fresh water.
Question: How did you get your client(s)? Long legs and low blouses...duh. Yeah, right! Word of mouth and reputation. We have done minimal advertising and believe in building relationships with our clients through our flowers and our customer service. We like to think of our clients as our dearest friends and in effect we have many repeat loyal customers. We always appreciate when our clients write us reviews on Yelp, Wedding Wire, and Facebook. We also love the shout outs on Instagram and Pinterest. Social networking has been extremely beneficial for our business and the feedback is warmly appreciated. We receive calls and orders several times a week that are referrals from online reviews and "likes." So, thank you our sweet fiends and clients for spreading the love!
Question: Can you get any flower even if it isn't grown locally? Any flower that is available during the season we can order from a wholesale market. We encourage all of our clients to purchase flowers grown here in California and if not, at least inside of the U.S. However, if you need a specific flower or plant that is grown only in Ecuador or Argentina, we can get it for you. We limit the amount of orders we take with these requests and at some point we hope that we can function as a business that only uses local flowers. But, yes we can get the tropical flowers for your luau themed event, no problem (smiley face).
Question: Why do flowers cost so much when they just die? Great question! I encourage everyone to take their hand in planting flowers or a garden from seed. It's not as simple as you think. Plants (especially from seed) need specific care: water, nutrients, sunlight, proper environment for homeostasis, and space. Other factors such as insects, animals and fungi impact a plants ability to survive. Even in greenhouses, there are many facets that make growing plants a tedious job. So, the flowers alone are not cheap, even at wholesale costs and particularly now in a time of drought here in California.
Then you add in the time and process to supply flowers to the customer in the form of an arrangement. This includes time to pick out flowers at the grower or market, bring them to our location, prep and condition each stem, arrange the design, package for delivery, schedule delivery, and finally deliver the flowers. It's quite a system. This doesn't include the time and effort spent on taking orders, writing proposals, editing proposals, stocking materials, sourcing flowers from growers and markets, and all the billing and paperwork poop. I'd say most of our time is spent preparing proposals, sending estimates, providing example and inspiration photos and conducting billing...all the super fun stuff! I can only wish I spent all day long just playing with flowers! All of these steps to provide a floral design to make someone's day a little brighter. It's all worth it! We cringe when we hear people say "no one is going to notice the flowers..." especially at a wedding or special event. They Absolutely Do! 70-80% of all of our business comes from customers who have seen our flowers, loved them, and then booked us for their next event. Flowers make impressions and make events pretty.
Thank you for your constant support and questions! We love to hear from you and tell you about our little business! Keep 'em coming. XO Kim
It is no surprise that our first feature “Local Women Empower” is Crystal Lynn Collins, owner of Crystal Lynn Photography. Crystal has owned her Vacaville business for 5 years specializing in fine art portrait and wedding photography. Her photography is breathtaking and her calm, kind spirit contagious.
Crystal and I met through business and I have had the pleasure of working with her on various projects. I am now lucky to call her one of my dearest friends and colleagues. She inspires me to be a creative, active, and giving business woman.
Her professionalism, industry knowledge, and genuine love for all living things glows bright through her artwork. But don't let her calm demeanor misguide you, this chick is a real fighter! Crystal is a cancer survivor, just receiving the amazing news of 3 years cancer free! She has taken on life’s battles in stride and used them to fuel her creativity and never take a single day for granted.
Here is a little bit of insight from Crystal on business, goals, empowering women, and inspiration…
How did you first become interested in photography?
I believe that my Mum planted the seed at an early age. She loves photography and ALWAYS has a camera in her hands. She gave me my first film camera when I was just fourteen years old after signing up for a high school photography class. From that point forward it became an obsession and I have been shooting ever since.
What do you love most about your job?
Freedom! The most amazing thing about this job is that I have freedom over everything I do. Being creative is all I know, and this job lets me be who I am all the time.
How have other women in business helped you grow?
I think the most important thing that has helped me grow is friendship. Being that this job is a solo gig, it’s so important to have friends who believe in you and encourage you. I am lucky enough to call another local photographer and florist two of my very dear friends. They constantly cheer me on, encourage, and keep me inspired. Their positivity, and friendship go a long way, and help keep me growing as an artist.
What are some dreams or goals you might have as and artist and a business owner?
As a business owner, I hope to do more destination weddings. I am a travel bug and would love to work while traveling!
As an artist, I would love to work more on my Etsy shop and possibly sell my fine art prints & cards at farmers markets and large craft fairs in the city!
Who or what inspires you?
People: love, laughter, relationships…are all so inspiring to me. It’s the number one reason why I love photography so much. I get to focus on and document love laughter and relationships and then turn them into life-long memories for my clients. It is such an honor.
Music: To say that I am obsessed with music is a huge understatement. If you come to my house, we ALWAYS have music on! There is so much passion, movement and creativity in music. Listening to an artist pour out their soul into a song is very powerful.
Travel: Traveling reminds me that that there is so much beauty all around us. It reminds me to stop and appreciate life. We are so lucky to live on this earth, and I love exploring it!
What is Project 52?
This year I joined a group of photographers on Facebook participating in Project 52. The group is filled with photographers of all levels; from mom's with iPhones to the seasoned professional. The goal of Project 52 is to go out every week and create an image. You can use a theme (provided that week) or not, but just to get out and shoot for yourself! We share our images in the group, and help one another with positive critiquing and encouragement. It has been such a wonderful project and helps fuel my desire to be outside and create art.
For more information about Crystal Lynn Photography and to view her stunning work please visit http://photographybycrystallynn.com. Subscribe to follow Crystal's blog to see what is happening in Crystal's world and the gorgeous pictures on her Project 52!
Miss Crystal, you rock! Thank you for being our first "Local Women Empower" feature! We couldn’t be happier to support the awesome YOU and your business!
Project 52, In the Rain
Project 52, The Blue Heron
“Girls compete with each other. Women empower one another.”
We are blessed to be part of an industry and community filled with successful business woman. To show our support for our local ladies, we are starting a little blog tribute called “Local Women Empower.”
Periodically we will feature one woman and/or their business in our community who we appreciate, support, admire, and would recommend to our clients. We believe that successful businesses start with inspired individuals and that giving a little shout out for impressive efforts is always lovely.
Keep your eyes peeled as our first feature is in the works.
Rock on local ladies!
Really...June? What happened to May?
Well, we were caught up in so much fun in May we hardly posted any updates.
So here's our little summary...
We kicked off May with our Dear Mama: DIY Floral Design Workshop. It was such a blast playing flowers with 25 awesome ladies. Their designs were just so beautiful. I was thoroughly impressed. Cannot wait until we hold our next workshop later this summer (keep your eyes peeled for dates). Thank you again to Crystal of Crystal Lynn Photography for shooting our work and giving us photo memories to last forever. You're the best, really.
Here's a few shots of our fun. (click on images to see gallery of photos)
And then Mother's Day came and we SOLD OUT at our Pop-Up Flower Shop held at Merchant & Main. Thank you to Merchant & Main for inviting us to Pop-Up for the weekend. You guys rock and took such great care of us! And a huge thank you to all our loyal customers for coming out and buying your mamas our pretty little designs!
Then we spent a few days in the woods trying to recover with this cutie patootie making ivy crowns, chasing banana slugs, and a whole bunch of hammocking.
Oh and then we partnered up with my sister and brother's company Graphic Expression to enter the Vacaville Fiesta Days Window Display Competition. And we took first place!
And in the middle of it all, we somehow designed and delivered these floral beauties....
So May, you came in hot and you went out sizzling. We are embracing June (the kick-off our wedding season) with wide open arms and look forward to telling you about a few of our exciting new business ventures. Bring it June!
