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54 January | 2023 Business she cautions. "For me, it was an opportunity to stretch new muscles and try something completely diff erent. I was attracted to the idea of creating an everyday fl ower experience for my community rather than just producing fl orals for events." For those making a switch, there are diff erences one needs to be prepared for. "Running a retail shop requires so much energy to consistently cover your overhead and manage employees," Gill says. " e constant energy required to attract new customers is also labor intensive, and I can see why someone who may just love design would leave the retail world because it requires hiring and keeping superior managers and store personnel, developing consistent marketing strategies and maintaining the aesthetic of a retail shop." Darlene Nelson, owner of DLN Floral Creations in Naperville, Ill., has gone from studio to retail, from retail back to studio and then back to retail again. " e biggest advantage of a studio over a retail location is more freedom and much less overhead," she notes. "However, a retail store provides more revenue avenues and opportunities for growth. It is much easier for me to build a clientele with a retail shop because I had more products and services to off er. If I had to do it again, I would combine aspects of both models and market my company more as a fl oral experience than a retail store. No matter which type of business you have, it is a lot of hard work, but the rewards are many with both." "I've done both," says Adrianna Duran-Leon, AIFD, CFD, owner of The Flower Company in Albuquerque, N.M. "I started as a brick-and-mortar shop more than 40 years ago and remained that way until March 2016, when I became a studio fl orist. I had everything except the retail storefront. People would call wanting to know where the shop was. When I would tell them we were studio but still off ered the same goods and services, many decided not to order from us. After nine months of this battle and seeing a decline in sales, I made the leap back to a retail shop. It's been the best decision I've made. e business has been growing, so I guess I'm intended to be a retail shop owner." The Flower Company If I had to do it again, I would combine aspects of both models and market my company more as a fl oral experience than a retail store. Darlene Nelson, owner of DLN Floral Creations " If I had to do it again, I " If I had to do it again, I The Flower Company

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