Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeff Lott.
Hi Jeff, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Flowers and designing has aways been a huge passion of mine. I starting designing flowers while attending high school in Monroe, Ga. I started working at a local florist after school each day and this job quickly lead to my life long career choice. It was definitely an interesting change of events as I had planned on attending college for wildlife management, but then decided to pursue a degree in ornamental horticulture instead. During my second year of college, I starting working, at another small florist, on the weekends while back in Monroe. The lady that owned this shop was wanting to retire as her health was declining quite rapidly, so with absolutely no business experience, I took the chance and purchased this small florist from her. I did finish my college degree during the time of owning this shop with the help of my mother and some friends. I would go to classes during the day and then race to the shop in the afternoon to help get all the orders ready for the next day. It was quite a challenging time, however it was some of the best learning experience I’ve ever had. College can teach you the fundamentals of design, but actually doing it day after day teaching the true life and realities of the career. After about four years of owning and running this shop, I had a local garden center approach me in regards to purchasing the business from me. This seemed to be a great opportunity for both them and myself as I was really ready to see what else laid ahead for me in the floral industry.
After working shortly with the family that purchased the florist business from me, I decided to move to midtown Atlanta and explore more of the event side of the flower world. During this time, I freelanced designed for some event companies, setting up for weddings and events, as well as helping other florists with their everyday orders. This time of my career really gave me chance to see what the industry really had to hold and again taught me so very much. From large scale weddings, over the top events and meeting some celebrities, this time was wonderful and I enjoyed it greatly.
After a time, I was called back to my hometown by a local florist that needed me to operate her shop while she and her husband went on a much needed vacation. After that time, they offered to sell me the shop to which I did. During the 18 years that I owned this shop, which was called The Garden Gate Florist, me and my staff handled every part of the florist business. Creating designs for funerals, birthdays, weddings, events and many celebrations. The last five years of those 18 years, we had a second location in Athens, Ga where we starting doing more and more weddings. In 2011, I decided to move the business to more of a wedding and event style shop instead of mostly retail. My current business, which is JL Designs focuses on creating weddings and events for our clients with florals, decorations, rental items, dinnerware, and many more items. During the past six years, I’ve also managed a wedding venue where I would coordinate and help plan weddings for many clients. This has help with my knowledge and expanded my understanding of the wedding industry greatly.
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?
It definitely has not been a smooth road for sure. There has been many challenges and struggles along the way. Everything from managing employees, learning where to source the best products, to learning how to change with the trends. The biggest challenge was the economical/housing market crash back in 2008-2010. Of everything I learned during that time, knowing how to regroup and focus on what makes the business profitable has been the best lesson.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I have really loved the whole design part of my career. From taking a raw product like a single flower or stem of greenery and creating a design, some even say a art piece, is so rewarding both in a personal way and also in way of making a living. Seeing a client’s reaction of a design you made, or the joy of a bride when she sees the wedding you have just created for them. It’s definitely the most rewarding part of my career.
I have had to learn alot about the principles and elements of design over the years. Know what works in a design and what does not. Color combination is probably one of the most important. You can actually feel color, it moves emotions and leans itself to the occasion that you are hoping to envision.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
That I don’t have a favorite flower, there are so many to choose from, LOL.
One fact that most people don’t know is that I come from a long line of flower lovers. My mother and her mother, my grandmother, were both huge lovers and growers of flowers. I think that is where my love of florals developed from.
Also, flowers is how I met my husband. He also loves flowers and anything with agricultural and horticulture.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jldesignsfloral.com
- Instagram: jldesignsweddings
- Facebook: jldesigns
