WTF & #COVID19
Hi WTF Lovers:
I saw this video posted in one of my industry specific Facebook forums today and I immediately felt compelled to share it but not without some context. Please click the link below & then stop for a moment to really take in the magnitude of the situation I'm about to share with you regarding how COVID-19 is impacting floral designers, event planners, caterers, farmers & growers - everywhere.
CORONA CRASH VIDEO (originally shared by Jordi Iglesias)
Now that you've seen it, were you planning on attending an event in the near future? Perhaps you were anticipating attending a dance or prom or a play soon. Maybe you were going to be or attending a workshop, or a demonstration or a seminar. Maybe you're a parent with little kids a in a small community where your local library provides educational outlets for your kids. How about a wedding? Have you been making plans for the past year (or more) to marry the love of your life in the near future? I bet every single one of these instances have a floral element incorporated into to the plans. In fact, I don't "bet", I KNOW they all had flowers listed as a must have item. How do I know? Because up until this past week every one of those things listed above were events I had on my calendar to flower, teach or demo at over the next 4-6 weeks. Not only is it a lost opportunity for me to express my creativity, to work with other vendors, small and large businesses, or to teach people about one of the things I am most passionate about, but it is also lost income. Not just for me as the owner and designer of a small floral design business but it's lost income for the people I source my weekly product from...my local farmers, growers and wholesalers.
Some businesses are larger scale than others and perhaps they'll be able to recover from "a dip in sales" but what about the smaller businesses who depend on each and every sale?
Now consider what it's doing to the small business in your own backyard. In this, "backyard" is meant quite literally. Small business owners, like local farmers, and professional gardeners are some of this home based florists' favorite growers. Each of us have the real possibility of detriment to not only our business but our livelihood.
Something I haven't shared too widely, other than with a few other business owners, clients and friends is how I turned $50 in to $519 in less than an hour. It's relevant, stay with me. When I started my business a few years ago... I did so with just 50$. It was the $50 I had stashed away months earlier for no other reason other than it was a nice, new, crisp 50 dollar bill. It was what I had left of the tips I earned while I was working at a local taphouse several months prior. It was that 50$ bill & a single client who trusted me more than I trusted myself that gave me what I need to grow. That check for $519.00 opened the door of opportunity for me to start my Floral Design business. That money not only paid for the flowers that I bought at the farmers market, to provide my first an only client with flowers every week for a month; but it covered the costs associated with getting a tax ID, a business license and a DBA. Once my business was official I was able to start taking orders for more work, contracting with other local businesses, and building relationships with other local vendors & wholesalers. That check grew from one check to two checks to three...and so on.
When I chose to move forward with starting my business I did so with the stipulation that the moment it threatened the financial security of my family; I would shut it down. I was fortunate enough to be in a position that allowed me to put my profits from the first couple of years right back into my building my business.
In this very moment my business my not be as close to irreparable damage as others, but it doesn't mean that it isn't in danger. And while I'm confident that I've built a business from practically nothing and that I can probably do it again... it doesn't mean I want to. Or that I should have to. Especially if I can avoid the rush.
You see my concern here isn't entirely about me and my own business, it's about all the other small business I've come to know, love and support since I started WTF because without them and the clients who continue to trust me... WTF wouldn't be what it is today.
If you're watching this video and gasping at the vast amount of flowers that have been grown, harvested, conditioned, sorted and prepared for shipment, know that they will also not make it to their intended destination. All because of the cancellations florists, event planners, caterers, & venues have been subject to on account of COVID19. Which in turn impacts the collective of small local farmers, growers & gardeners who grow very limited quantities of select blooms that I source weekly for your subscriptions, events, and weddings & workshops.
Just because I have felt fortunate and secure and been able to maintain a successful business over the last few years, I am also not naive. I am very aware that nothing is ever certain. Especially now.
I hope that if you have the means to support the businesses you love however big or small, that you will continue to do so. I hope that all of you do your best to keep yourself and your loved ones healthy and know that I am committed to doing the same.
Straight up. No Bullshit.
Stay Rad. Stay Healthy. Wash your hands.
-V
If you feel so inclined as to sign a petition in support of “Covid-19 Federal Aid Package for Events Industry” please do so here: Covid-19 Federal Aid Package for Events Industry
Images above were taken by me at Sweet Mabel’s Farm March 2020 | Pictured are seedlings sprouting abundantly and anemones almost ready for harvest.