Today we’d like to introduce you to Ariel Smith.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
It all started with a “Sorry we can’t do that”. The idea of Arie’s Berries came about when I wanted to order my mother an Edible Arrangements basket, and they could not customize my order. That led me to create my own arrangement that included all of the fruit my mom enjoys and even handcrafting the vase. When my mom received the gift, all she kept saying was “You need to go into business”. I figured she was just being kind since she was my mother. I shared a picture of the arrangement with my best friend who is an Artist and a business owner as well and she loved it and pushed the idea of starting something of my own. I’m always sharing ideas with her because she is the one who will give honest feedback and supports anything I come up with far fetched and all. I even shared my idea with my friends at work and a few individuals encouraged me to pursue my idea and turn it into a reality. Fast forward I took the advice that was given and Arie’s Berries LLC launched in May 2020, creating a range of gourmet treats such as chocolate-covered strawberries, pretzels, fruit arrangements, and custom orders. As I continue today, I am still learning and perfecting my craft. And to expand Arie’s Berries from offering full dessert tables to adding new items to the menu.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Being in business for two years now has definitely had its challenges. When it comes to finding strawberries, I always strive to provide my customers with the highest quality of berries. However, it’s a challenge at times when groceries stores have “bad berries”, either they they have ones that are moldy or none at all. There have been times where I’ve had to travel to four to five different grocery stores to find the “perfect” berry; talk about a stressful situation. There are times where I find myself becoming overwhelmed because I may not be able to find what I need or simply worrying about how the order will turn out. However, I’m so thankful to have the support from my family because when I need them to do a store run or help with orders, they are always right there.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
What sets me apart from others is the art and craft that goes into every order. My custom boxes are the most popular item and I think simply because inside the box has that personal touch, from glittering their favorite bottle to adding their name in the inside and even including their favorite colors. Plus people appreciate gifts more when it’s personalized. I think that’s why Arie’s Berries is successful because you are not only getting a delicious treat, you’re also getting art. When customers call me to tell me how great their order looks and taste is the greatest feeling in the world and even greater feeling when they are ready to place another order.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is the customer’s satisfaction and their loyalty. It’s a good feeling when you receive positive feedback on your work. I do take pride and joy in my craft and I make sure I deliver not only just a chocolate treat but a memorable piece of work that you can eat. I want to make sure my customers are pleased with their purchase and they will want to order for their next occasion. I’m so thankful for the loyalty of my customers who continues to put their trust in Arie’s Berries.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @Ariesberriesatl
Image Credits
Arie’s Berries, LLC Ashanti Clark @clarkroyaltees (custom T-shirts) @jusflyy (photos)
