Daily Inspiration: Meet Ellen Cook

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ellen Cook.

Hi Ellen, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have always loved flowers. I love walking into a florist shop and smelling the fragrance of flowers and live plants. I always wanted to have a florist shop but thought it meant having a brick and mortar store. Then I discovered that many floral designers have their studio in their homes. I started studying and practicing floral design and Ivy and Sterling Florals came to life.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Smooth? I don’t know that any business launch is completely smooth but I can say that the learning curve is steep. Suddenly I didn’t just need to understand floral care and design. I also needed to understand website design, SEO, ROI, and social media marketing. It was overwhelming for a while but I’m finally getting the hang of it.

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?
Ivy and Sterling Florals is my floral design studio. I specialize in fresh flower arrangements like flower bouquets for anniversaries and birthdays as well as sympathy designs for funerals. I think what makes us different is the personal attention we give each customer and our emotional investment. When someone calls for a funeral arrangement, I truly care that they have lost someone and I take time to talk with them about it. When it’s someone’s anniversary, I want to help make it special.

Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Sitting in front of my grandparents’ country store in Tennessee whittling with my grandfather and watching old men roll cigarettes and gossip. My grandmother was horrified which made it even more fun.

Pricing:

• Vase arrangements $85-$300
• Wedding arches $1000-$4000
• Wedding bouquets $250-$300
• Gifts $10-$125

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ivyandsterlingflorals.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivyandsterlingflorals

Image Credits
The photo in the studio with me drawing is by Photography by Summer.

The blue and white wedding table photo is by Jessica Cordle Photography.

The rest of the photos are by me, Ellen Cook.