S10E3: Turn Your Wedding Flowers in Stunning Decor in Resin
Have you been searching for a unique - and beautiful - way to preserve your bouquet and wedding flowers? We’ve got you covered!
This stunning preservation technique allows you to showcase your flowers and lasts forever.
Functional and decorative Floral Preservation.
Turning special parts of your wedding day into keepsakes is a lovely daily reminder of your celebration.
Guest: Judi Gevara, Bloomsake
This week, we’re dishing about…
Why couples might want to preserve their wedding florals
The best time to explore preserving your wedding flowers
The difference between preserving dried flowers and fresh florals
Specific types of flowers that look best in resin
Favorite ways to preserve florals in resin
... and more!
Meet Judi!
Founded by Judi Gevara in 2020, Bloomsake offers a modern version of floral preservation with keepsakes cast in resin. By preserving your flowers, Bloomsake can turn your beautiful bouquets and floral arrangements into a memento you can keep in your home. Each unique resin creation reminds you of special memories from your most important days, including weddings, funerals, graduations, landmark anniversaries, and beyond. Keepsakes are customizable in one-of-a-kind trays, coasters, ring holders, and more, each designed to last a lifetime.
Couple spend so much money on flowers and due to their expiry they haven't always been able to be kept. Now Bloomsake is giving couples ways beautiful solutions to keep their blooms. - Judi, Bloomsake
Business Info
What areas do you serve?
All over the country
How long have you been in business?
3 years
Why did you decide to start your own business?
Judi started in the Houston wedding industry as manager of a local bridal boutique. She loved being a part of so many brides’ big days and helping them find the perfect dress, but she began to notice an influx of requests regarding where to preserve their beautiful bouquets. Although she didn’t have an answer about where to go or how to get their preservations done, the idea stuck with Judi. Soon enough, Judi began playing around with the idea of casting bouquets in resin.
First, she preserved her friends’ bouquets by drying them with a special method to draw out all the moisture. Then, Judi arranged the dehydrated flowers in molds selected by the bouquet owners and poured resin on top to encapsulate the design, the beauty, and the special memories the bouquets represented.
The whole process took about six months, but at the end of the long wait, the preservations were a success.
As people began to receive their creations back, news spread and Judi’s work quickly gained popularity as more women began asking her to preserve their bouquets. Beyond brides and weddings, people also wanted unique keepsakes for flowers from funerals, graduations, landmark anniversaries, and more.
When COVID-19 hit, Judi was still working at the bridal boutique but was unhappy with her job. With her side business booming, she decided to take a big risk and launch her business, Bloomsake, full-time. As Judi began posting on Facebook bridal groups to share her service, her business grew locally and became a well-known entity in the Houston bridal community.
Eventually, she opened her own Etsy shop, at which point the orders really started to roll in. Judi began receiving dozens of bouquets per week and worked tirelessly to produce her resin creations out of her garage. The volume remained so high that she bought her own office space and hired team members to help to meet the demand.
What's the coolest thing about owning your own business?
Helping preserve special memories for so many and create pieces for couples to be treasured for years to come.
What challenges have you had to overcome?
One of the most fascinating stories I can share since I began leading my company involves a memorable encounter with a bride's mother. It all began when she reached out to us seeking assistance in preserving her daughter's flowers. At that time, we did not offer pressed frames as a service, but I had advised her to visit our website to explore the various styles we could create. However, upon her arrival, she insisted that we create a pressed frame for her daughter, despite it not being a service we provided. We kindly referred her to another company specializing in pressed frames. Unfortunately, they were fully booked and unable to accommodate her request. Instead of understanding the situation, she became increasingly agitated and started contacting my business repeatedly, expressing her frustration that the other company was unavailable.
As the situation escalated, she resorted to berating me with obscenities over the phone, continuously hanging up and calling back. To maintain a peaceful environment for my team and other customers, I had no choice but to block her from contacting us further. This incident undoubtedly stands out as the most interesting and challenging experience I have encountered during my time leading this company.
Do you have a favorite story to share?
She had a client reach out about preserving her wedding flowers from 16 years ago. The same client was also wanting to get her daughters flowers preserved and Judi was able to create a special pieces for both of them.
What advice could you offer to someone starting a business like yours?
Building a supportive network of mentors, advisors, and fellow entrepreneurs is crucial. Initially, I underestimated the power of networking and seeking guidance from experienced individuals. I wish someone had emphasized the importance of surrounding myself with like-minded people who could offer valuable insights, advice, and support. Connecting with others in the entrepreneurial ecosystem can provide valuable perspectives, guidance, and opportunities for collaboration.
Let’s get personal…
Are there any challenges or obstacles that you've had to overcome?
In the early stages of my entrepreneurial journey, I was often discouraged by setbacks and failures. However, I later realized that each failure taught me valuable lessons and helped me grow both personally and professionally. Understanding that failure is not the end but a stepping stone towards success can be transformative. In the early stage, I often fell into the trap of building a product or service without seeking enough customer feedback. It's easy to get caught up in the pursuit of big goals and overlook the significance of small wins and milestones.
What advice would you offer to other business owners in a similar situation?
I wish someone had emphasized the importance of embracing failure and seeing it as a valuable learning opportunity. I wish someone had advised me to prioritize customer input based on their needs and preferences. I wish someone had reminded me to celebrate every achievement along the way. Acknowledging and appreciating small wins boosts morale, motivates the team, and helps maintain a positive mindset. It's important to recognize and celebrate progress, no matter how small, it contributes to the overall journey towards success.
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