Today we’d like to introduce you to Noel Craft.
Noel, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
The concept behind Crafted Company and my love of floral art design originates from my early childhood experiences at home in rural South Georgia. Growing up in a house surrounded by nothing but acres of land; nature was always my playground and as a child, I loved spending time my mother cultivating the gardens that wrapped around our house. Working alongside her nurtured in me a sense of fulfillment for working outdoors and an appreciation of the aesthetic beauty of nature.
It was not until I was a sophomore in college that I came across the opportunity to pursue a career as a floral designer. I initially studied fashion in school – but with the exception of the computer design portion of my major – did not feel passionate about the course. However it was through a close friendship formed on that course that I was able to find a local floral design assistant position and I instantly fell in love with the art form.
After working with a number of prominent designers in the Atlanta area for three years, I decided just after my 23rd birthday that I wanted to start my own business. Trying to finish school while also starting my own business was initially challenging, but an invaluable experience that I wouldn’t take back. After graduating last May with an idea of where I wanted Crafted Co. to go – but no solid plans in place – my initial focus was to build my customer base online and through scheduled installations/events.
The concept of the flower shop as the foundation of my business fell into my lap by chance through an offer from the owner of ‘The Front Porch Market’ – Lisa Reives – who has been amazing to work with from the start and incredibly supportive in helping me grow my business. As the in-house floral designer at the Vinings GA location, I have full creative freedom and it has been an invaluable setting from which to anchor my business in its first year. Being gifted the opportunity to flower daily in such a setting has seen my business grow from strength-to-strength and I am excited by the artistic projects we have planned for 2020.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I don’t think owning a business is ever a smooth road. I don’t think it can be, especially when you have as interactive of a business as I do. I am not just running a flower shop, I am running a floral and event design company as well. They are run in two completely different ways, from logistics to pricing.
It is also really hard to do everything basically by yourself. By no means do I not have help, my family and friends help me anytime I ask. I am very blessed in that way. But trying to figure out a healthy work/life balance is difficult and I sometimes do think my age adds to that. A whole business is a lot at just 24, I mean you watch your friends have regular 9-5’s and get paid for every hour they put in. My regular work days are 6-10’s. I don’t see the immediate benefits of my hard work and dedication. However, I do know it will come in time which I am very excited for. It keeps me motivated. But it can be hard at times to mentally wrap my head around. I see friends going out and having fun and truthfully, I just don’t have the energy or time for that very often. I love and savor every second when I do get to, but it’s hard to not feel like I am missing out sometimes. My business comes first now and that adjustment has been hard. I am a solid four months into my big girl life and it’s not what I thought it would be like, some days it’s much better and some days, I feel beyond defeated and alone in it all. But I don’t have a choice but to keep going. Knowing that it is completely up to me, what happens from here on out is daunting. But how else would I know what I am capable of if I never made myself uncomfortable.
Another real struggle is trusting in my own abilities and judgment. You know no one really TELLS you just how hard it is. I mean, some things you can’t expect or prepare for. Sometimes quick judgment calls have to be made and I think that I have done well so far, but it’s never not nerve-wracking. The anxiety is real y’all… I lose so much sleep from my mind, always running and thinking business that I wake myself up making business deals. It’s so wild because even when I’m off the clock, I’m really not, but that’s what I have found running a business by yourself is all about.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Crafted Company – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Crafted Co. currently is a floral and event design company that now has a brick and mortar location that you can come to daily. We love to celebrate all occasions, from weddings to birthdays and everything in between. I love to work within all mediums of my craft and beyond. We love all live products and experimenting with different ways of working with them. I wouldn’t say I specialize in anything in particular, maybe color, but I am not sure I can claim that ha! I love to create anything that anyone’s wild imagination can conjure up and I hate saying no! I feel like if there is a will there’s a way! I will say that I love being a creative. I have great pride in that. I don’t like to limit myself just to flowers and plants within design. I love dabbling in woodwork and the finer details of event production! It is exciting for me to go the extra mile to make whatever you have in mind come to life; it pushes my creative limits and makes me want to do more!
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I do have really fun plans and ideas ahead. I would love nothing more than perhaps open a venue at some point and move more into a creative director role. I love the idea of venturing to other cities and collaborating with other creatives to perhaps expand my business model and clientele. I think it is so important to constantly be seeking other aspects of life and business you might be interested in. The beauty of life in my opinion is that you can do anything you set your mind to! You don’t have to stick to the same career path and owning your own business definitely helps with that! You can make it into whatever you please & intertwine different things in. You would be surprised at how you can morph things to collide and coexist under one roof to be marketable to the masses!
Pricing:
- When it comes to wedding, I work as an at-cost floral designer. This means you pay one set price for my time, talent, and design. From there, everything is at wholesale cost. I think it is beneficial for both myself and my client. Transparency is key for me, and I am happy I can deliver that honesty throughout my company.
- Flower shop pieces fluctuate anywhere from $20-$450 depending on what exactly the creation is. I do believe in supporting small businesses/artists and that my time, design, and talent are reflected in the prices of my items. You also are receiving an experience while shopping, we have a full floral bar, a walk in green house cooler, and a hanging dried floral install. I have things prepared as well as the ability of creating something custom for you on the spot.
Contact Info:
- Address: The Front Porch Market
5 Mountain St
Atlanta, Ga
30339 - Website: craftedcompany.co
- Email: hello@craftedcompany.co
- Instagram: craftedcompany.co
- Facebook: Crafted Company
Image Credit:
Morgan James
Alissa Sibley (River Wild Photography)
Jasmine Fortner (Simply Shay Photography)
Nicole Clarey
Haley Mewborn
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