Today we’d like to introduce you to Vy Nguyen.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Vy. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
After I graduated from four years of nursing school, I worked in the healthcare industry for 5 years. I decided to take a break from my nursing job because I didn’t feel like is was what I wanted to do for a long-term. During my nursing break, I started working at a lot of retail stores and many management jobs. I decided to apply to a nearby grocery store and work as an entry level floral clerk in the floral department.
My manager there took me under her wings and taught me everything she knew about the floral industry (She used to have her own floral shop and event company). She advised me to go to floral school to learn the basics. I attended a few floral schools in the U.S and outside of the U.S while working at old floral shops to learn the techniques. I just wanted to learn as much as I could from the people who have run their flowers business for a long time.
My mentor later invited me to work for a few event companies and my floral journey really blossomed from there. I’m so grateful to all of my mentors who taught me what they knew and helped me along the way!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I think when it comes to following your passion and if it’s something that you’re very passionate about, the road is never easy. In the past when I first started my business and quit my full-time job I start to promo and network for my business. At first, my mom wasn’t very supportive of my dream but now she understands why I choose flowers to be my long-term career.
When I first started out with a small studio trying to promote my work, I failed due to the lack of capital and the lack of knowledge on the business side. I decided to start my business again after 2 years and this time I am more prepared. I did more research about the business aspect. My very first event, I did not have any help or any freelancer that I could hire because I couldn’t afford to pay if I want to, so I decided to ask a few of my good friends to help me with processing flowers, delivery and set up.
The great thing about having good friend is that you can pay them with food (haha). I am very blessed to have great friends who are willing to help without being hesitant. They took the time out of their busy lives to help with my first event. All four of us worked in my parent tiny living room space and as you can imagine flowers were everywhere… even in the bathroom! Usually, if the event is on a Saturday, Wednesday is when we all go to buy flowers, process and prep all of the things that we need and let the flowers hydrate till the next day then we can start designing. We all work around the clock until 11 pm- 2 am.
That’s the reason why I work so hard now because I have so many people depend on me especially my employees. Is hard to find great employee but as the same time, you don’t want to let your employee down. To this day I am still learning about the business side. The great thing about working for yourself is you have to be willing to teach yourself things and be willing to experience and learn from your own mistakes.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Vy’s Floral Design – what should we know?
The reason why I decided to open my own floral studio is because I want to design a specific look for my company and bring in a new product beautiful designed every day. Right now we only offer to do weddings, corporate events and private parties. Soon we will have some daily products that you can order. The things that sets us apart from other companies are how we care about the flower quality and packaging.
Let’s be creative and take away the cellophane wrap instead let create something new and something that you can wow your recipient. (Can’t share much because we’re still working on this concept) until the end of 2018 hopefully we can launch this daily product before 2018 ended. Stay tuned!
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I really want to thank both of my mentors (Adelise and Noritaka) for teaching me so many wonderful things they’re my greatest mentors that I have to meet in this floral industry.
As for my floral team Jasmine, Allison, Kathy and Jane they are my greatest supporter without these girl I don’t think my first event will be successful.
Contact Info:
- Address: 5177 W Edmunds Chicago Illinois
- Website: www.vyfloraldesign.com
- Phone: 774-417-0891
- Email: contact@vyfloraldesign.com
- Instagram: vyfloraldesign05
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vyfloraldesign05/
Image Credit:
Nicole Jansma, Megan Forever photography, Mariia Seredokha, Olivia De Vera
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