Hidden Gems: Meet Kate Vecherskaia of Corona Del Mar Florist

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kate Vecherskaia.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My love for flowers and plants is something that has been with me my entire life. Growing up, I was always drawn to nature’s beauty and constantly found myself wanting to help decorate spaces with florals whenever I could. As a mom of two, I always found myself looking for creative outlets within their activities and for myself—whether through sewing, embroidery, or knitting. I have always heavily gravitated toward things I could create with my own two hands.

While my academic background is in economics, my heart remained deeply rooted in my passion for design. That unique blend of analytical thinking and creative passion eventually gave me the push I needed to take a leap of faith. I decided to try my hand at managing a flower shop.

To be completely honest, starting out was terrifying and full of nervous energy because I had never done anything like this before. Taking over was a massive transition, but I was incredibly fortunate to inherit a wonderful team of talented florists and amazing, reliable vendors. Their support, expertise, and guidance helped me find my footing, navigate the learning curve, and seamlessly continue running operations after the previous owner.

Today, we have the joy of planning and creating floral designs for every imaginable occasion—working with clients of all ages, backgrounds, and styles. Whether it’s an intimate milestone, a grand celebration, or everyday arrangements that brighten someone’s home, helping people translate their emotions into floral art is the most rewarding part of my journey. Managing Corona Del Mar Florist has allowed me to turn a lifelong passion into a thriving reality right here in our wonderful community.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has definitely not been a smooth road! Coming into this with zero prior sales experience, one of my biggest early fears was dealing with clients who wanted to order flowers but had no idea what they wanted. I was terrified of not meeting their expectations.

On top of learning how to sell, the moment I took over, challenges started pouring in from every unpredictable direction. Our delivery van suddenly broke down, I had to figure out complex supply chains for vases and fresh flowers while expanding our shop hours, and I instantly had to dive headfirst into HR policies, bookkeeping, and navigating the tax code.

It was overwhelming, but those early hurdles forced me to adapt quickly. Overcoming those fires taught me resilience, and today, turning a client’s uncertainty into a stunning floral arrangement is all the more rewarding because of how hard we fought to get to this point.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Corona Del Mar Florist is a neighborhood staple dedicated to bringing creative, high-end floral design to everyday moments and major milestones alike. We specialize in custom arrangements, alongside unique community connections like supplying weekly florals for local restaurants and businesses.

What makes us unique is our hands-on approach and patience in guiding clients who might feel overwhelmed by floral choices. Above all, we are most proud of earning a Nextdoor Faves award, which truly speaks to the strong bond we share with our neighborhood. We want people to know that our brand is all about heartfelt connections, creativity, and turning your vision into reality.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Building this business has also been the most rewarding adventure of my life. To anyone dreaming of starting something new or taking a leap of faith into a completely different field: you don’t need to have all the answers on day one. You just need resilience, a willingness to learn, and a community of people who support you along the way.

Thank you to our wonderful neighbors, our loyal clients, and everyone who has trusted Corona Del Mar Florist to be part of their lives. We are so excited for what’s ahead, and we look forward to bringing more beauty, color, and joy to CDM for years to come!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cdmflorist.com
• Instagram: @cdmflorist
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/corona-del-mar-florist-corona-del-mar
• Other: https://nextdoor.com/page/corona-del-mar-florist-corona-del-mar-ca