Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Phillips.
Nicole, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I began in the floral industry sixteen years ago as a delivery driver and a sales associate. My love for flowers really began to grow after seeing all the beauty the floral designers I worked with were creating. Right then and there, God put a desire in my heart to see if I had the talent to be a designer. With a lot of guidance and a little time, I definitely became confident that I indeed was made to do this! My career in floral design has been a passionate journey, one in which I have been given the opportunity to share my love of flowers with my community. I now have owned my own shop going on four years, and it has been an amazing journey, one that I can only give thanks to God, my husband, and my friends and family for all of the encouragement and support.
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?
I would say my journey has been a good one, not to say that along the way, it didn’t have a few bumps or challenges. I’m a wife and mother, and juggling my responsibilities between home and being a business owner has its own challenges. My husband and I have two children and have had to learn how to balance life now that I have my own business and he works out of town during the week. Not having my husband home to help with just everyday tasks definitely has been my largest obstacle, but with the Lord’s guidance and help, we have found our way. I have learned so much about how to accept that I can’t do everything myself and that making a mistake can bring growth if you will allow it. No one is perfect all I can do each and every day is give myself to the Lord and ask him to use me to bless others.
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?
At Cornelia Florist & Gifts, we offer same-day floral deliveries to local businesses and residences. We have many options to choose from, like fresh flowers, plants, wind chimes, lanterns, and so many small gift items, from cups to books and everything in between for any occasion. We specialize in sympathy design and custom permanent florals. We also try to support other small businesses by shopping locally, and we sell many handmade items by local artists in our area. I take great pride in giving our customers the best quality products at a fair price. I believe what sets us apart from others in my industry today would be that we understand the cost of products can be an issue for some and that when you make a purchase in an industry that is a luxury item, you want to feel like it’s an investment. Our shop offers services that allows customers to bring in permanent florals that they have had for a while and still enjoy, but feel it may need refreshing.
That is where we bring those types of items back to life by adding a little new with a little old to make sure your previous investment continues to add beauty to your home or office. We strive to make sure every customer experience with us is one that brings them back time and time again. Many of our customers have become more like family to us in that we help them through many walks of life, from birthdays, first dates, dances, weddings, anniversaries, and final goodbyes. We understand how important family is, and making memories is what life is all about. For me, as a designer, being given the opportunity to be a part of these special memories is an honor and a gift that has blessed my life tremendously. Floral Design is an outlet for me. The troubles and stresses of life tend to melt away when I’m working. I can’t tell you the joy it brings me to be able to get up each day and do something I enjoy and feel so passionate about. It doesn’t seem to feel so much like a job when you are doing what you love.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
We strive to have great relationships with others in our industry and to help them in any way we can. We feel that good relationships with other florist are very important because this can be a very tough industry, and you never know how their experiences can help you and others succeed. There is no I in team and sometimes it may take a village to get it to all come together. I’m very thankful for our relationships with all of the florists in our county and the friendships we have formed.
Contact Info:
- Website: Corneliafloristandgifts.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/corneliafloristandgifts
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/corneliafloristandgifts
