Meet Maria Munter | Wedding and Event Florist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maria Munter and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maria, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking

Financial risk has been and continue to be a big subject for me and my husband as we grow our company. In the prior years, when I was still fully employed and Flowers by Lovely Lily was just, as people would call it a “side job”, I always have to consider if taking on a wedding or event will put me in jeopardy of losing my corporate job that is at the time helps providing my family and I stability. This was the biggest risk I was facing for a long while but, have always felt safe to either turn down the wedding or event or take them on because I know I will have another source of income.

When I finally left my corporate job and made Flowers by lovely Lily my 100% priority and will now be my main source of income, the list of risks grew. The biggest risk remains, financial. Will the event or wedding be profitable enough that I will be able to pay my bills? Are the wedding or events I am taking on align with my vision? Will passing on a wedding or event that does not align with my vision effect my bottom line? Will pricing too high deterred clients from booking me? Will pricing too low makes my brand look cheap, no value? Is my portfolio strong enough to attract clients? But, out of all these my biggest fear is, will this financial risk bleed into my family’s quality of life, financially and our relationships.

So, every day I am constantly on assess mode, in every wedding or events I take, the help I hire, the vendor purchase from and the people or company I partner up with.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

I love flowers and love arranging flowers. I really didn’t see floristry as an art form until one of my clients called it so. In my head I was proving a service, but the art comes with the customization. I take the time to get to know my clients. When I meet up with my client, I often take away with me their personality and I design my flower arrangement base on that. Sometimes I get an order or booked by a 3rd party where I don’t get to meet with the client, so I take my time to research the theme of event, what is the product? How will the flowers be displayed? I go through every flowers, each stems, what they can possible mean, even the selection of the vases is customized for the event, for my client.

The challenge comes from me spending so much time customizing and personalizing each flower design that I often neglect the other aspect of this business. It is still a business and I have to remember that. Emails, texts and voicemails still has to be replied to, invoices needs to be sent timely so I can get paid timely. So in short the administrative part of the my business is my biggest challenge and I am slowly recognizing the importance of this part of the business, but I am still learning how to overcome it.

I think I have one of the best complements I had this past month where I created a couple of arrangements for a whiskey company, when the owner saw the arrangements, he says it reminded him of The Mad Hatter, where the flowers are different and crazy looking, but makes sense together and they are beautiful to see. I then proceeded to let him know what the flowers represents in regards of aligning with his brand. I even included flowers what are in their three stages, bud, flowers to pods to symbolize the stages of whiskey being poured, adored then consumed. He was taken back on how much time I put into creating this for him, he was very appreciative and thankful.

I am a people pleaser, I absolutely love seeing my clients, my brides’ faces light up as their arrangements, their bouquets are handed to them. Often, I don’t see my clients on drop off so when I get to talk to them, I take the time to also answer their questions, explain what goes on their arrangements and thank them for allowing me to be a part of their event.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

I am lucky enough to live in an exciting city, Huntington Beach. Where you can visit the beach, have brunch by the beach, visit large parks or just pamper yourself in one of spa in the area. I would first take them to explore Huntington Beach Central Park, this is my favorite area of Huntington Beach. Then brunch at one of my favorite restaurants, Social HB, then relax pool side after. Next day, spend time at the beach, then visit Pacific City and eat at one of their amazing restaurants. Dance away at Tanner’s, treat ourselves to some homemade chocolate from Bella Sophia Chocolates – they are the best! One of the days we can also visit Huntington Beach Art Center, and end the day with a bonfire.

There so many amazing eateries in Huntington Beach, I don’t think a week will be enough time to check out each one.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to dedicate this shout out to my family and friends. I am lucky enough to be surrounded by so many supporting, and encouraging group of people. Specially my husband, without the support of my husband I wouldn’t be able to follow my dream. My son who is ever as patient, my sister who is always there to push me when needed.

Website: www.flowersbylovelylily.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flowersbylovelylily/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flowersbylovelylily

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/flowers-by-lovely-lily-huntington-beach-2

Image Credits
Naesfotos jkp_megan – jimkennedyphotographers.com jessicayvonnephotography