Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaitlan Long.
Kaitlan, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’m a 4th generation cattle farmer who showed cattle all through middle and high school. Upon completing high school, I started working at a local veterinary clinic while completing core classes to become a veterinarian myself. In 2015, my husband and I found out we would be welcoming our first child! As my pregnancy progressed, I quickly found out I couldn’t manage to handle 70 + pounds dogs anymore. The local florist was looking for help with her hand-made door wreaths so I applied!
Within a few days, I had the job! It started out as helping with the wreaths and snowballed from there. I quickly started learning new tricks and trades. In mid-2016, the owner started talking to my husband and me about switching ownership!! By this time, we had a 10-month-old and just found out we would be expecting our second child! Wow! We decided to take Steve Harvey’s advise and make “the jump.” In late 2016, we bought a flower shop boutique and took off like wildfire!
Now, we are a local favorite and on many levels a destination florist! We’ve scaled so much higher than I could have ever imagined!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not been smooth sailing. Coming from the veterinary medicine field to the flower world is quite the change! I had to learn how to run a business, process flowers, and how to design them as I went! I learned the hard ways a few times but in all, we made it and continue to grow from our past!
My advice to young women would be to NEVER give up! Grab life by the horns and run with it! There are always people to help you along the way and there are endless amounts of tools at grabs! Like podcasts, blogs, books, etc…
Please tell us about Downtown Flowers.
I am a self-taught florist! I specialize in wedding florals but I do have an everyday shop that offers services like everyday arrangements, funeral pieces, potted plants, home decor, and boutique items!
I’m most proud of my brand because we have taken it into multiple cities but have kept it cohesive by only opening in a historic downtown part of town! I love ALL things Historic and old! I take great strides to ensure that we help preserve all historic values in our two towns we are located it!
I think what sets me apart from others is my style! I’ve been told numerous times that I have a style all of my own! I’m not one to follow a book and I love designing things that speak to me! Im very much an old soul and love incorporating new with old!
Who have you been inspired by?
My mama was a huge inspiration in my life! Every little girl wants to grow up to be just like her mom. I was just the same! I always saw my mama working very hard all day and coming home to cook supper after working a long day at work! She always put others before herself and was the last one to bed! I’m now the same way with two littles of my own! I always put others before myself and help all I can who are in need!
Contact Info:
- Address: 52 Doyle Street
Toccoa, Ga 305771392 Washington Street
Clarkesville, GA 30523 - Website: Www.downtownflowerstoccoa.com
- Phone: 7064917200
- Email: downtownflowersandmarket@gmail.com
- Instagram: @downtownflowers17
- Facebook: @downtownflowers17
Image Credit:
Bailey Weisser– Hello Jude Photography, Dash Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
