Today we’d like to introduce you to Elsa Schulze.
Hi Elsa, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Originally from Guadalajara, Mexico. I have two decades in the event planning business, planning and coordinating events and creating floral designs. I’ve provided impeccable services & florals to private, corporate, political and celebrity clients. I discovered my passion for flowers in 2000, and I dreamed of becoming a florist, but I couldn’t do it because the circumstances at that time would not allow me. I was making flower arrangements/ centerpieces for the tables at small events. I always had a desire to only do flowers, but my clients wanted me to plan their entire events, which distracted me from my primary passion. I had to wait 18 years to make my dream came true. In 2017, I immigrated to the United States and we decided to start a Floral Design business here in California.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My husband and I decided to open a business here in California in 2018. We started from scratch with zero contacts. I was new to the country, we were new to the area, different customs (for me), a different language, but in a good spirit and hopeful. So I started to look on the internet for the best floral designers and I came across Cristina Barragan from @fleursociety and she became my mentor. I started to take all her classes, webinars, hands on workshops that I could. I also found Kelly Perry’s Team Flower and went to the first Team Flower Conference in Orlando and I made a lot of new flower friends, met vendors and had fun networking. When got my first inquiry and started booking weddings, I was over the top, so excited! My first wedding was in The Richard Nixon Library & Museum and in 2019 I had 20 weddings with top-notch reviews. I booked another 20 for 2020, however we never imagined that the pandemic was on the way to change the world for everybody. Even though I just had four weddings cancel and all my other couples postponed for this year or next. I continue to book weddings and am now starting to get more recommendations from venues, word of mouth, wedding planners I have worked with, and even other florists! My biggest challenge would have had to be getting my name out there as the Wedding Florist business is very crowded space.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
In 2004, I was hired by one of the most influential and important businessmen in Guadalajara, Mexico – Jorge Vergara CEO and owner of Grupo Omnilife and Las Chivas de Guadalajara Soccer Team. I was in charge of coordinating and planning the events in the company which included planning massive events with 20,000 people, or more each year, I also was in charge of destination weddings (specializing in Beach Weddings) and events for Celebrities and Politicians. I worked for ten years for that company. Then I started to work independent for three years. My last massive event was in 2016, a prom for Tecnológico de Monterrey University for 2,500 people. I then immigrated to United States in 2017.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that if you are in love with your career, wherever you do, do it with passion, you will always be successful. When I work with flowers, it doesn’t feel like work, it feels like therapy.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.verdeolivofloral.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/verdeolivofloral/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/verdeolivofloral
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtDWAZP3gr1WiuEnrZRKX2g
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/verde-olivo-floral-and-botanical-upland-2
Image Credits:
Isaac Martinez Jordan Knaub Yours Truly Media Elizabeth Lauren Holly S.
