Today we’d like to introduce you to Alejandra Gonzalez.
Alejandra, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
We started 4 years ago in our garage with an old flower cooler that we still keep there, visiting the flower market few times a month, no clue of flower names or what the business meant, I say we, because I share this business with my Mom, Dorys. Regardless of the little knowledge we had, I’ve always felt attracted by design and the harmony in spaces, in terms of color and textures, and having a worldwide flower variety in California was a big plus to explore that harmony and express it in our designs. In 2015, we decided to find a space where we could meet with customers, with couples, and not our garage, so we moved to Monrovia, found a small retail space in its beautiful old town and gave some formality to Aquarela.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has not been a smooth road, specially starting from scratch, at the beginning it was hard for us to learn about the ups and downs of the business, the seasonality and playing have learned to play with that. Also, being from Venezuela, culture was challenge at the beginning, but we’ve felt welcome and have learned from each other every day.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Aquarela Gifts & Flowers story. Tell us more about the business.
Aquarela is a floral design little shop with big expectations, there in no one day when I don’t learn something new, or think of plans to make it grow, and succeed. We offer a full service floral design, a retail and event (specially weddings) shop. There are 3 aspects of Aquarela that are part of our mission and those are, customer service, kindness is a priority for us, there is always something extra for our customers or couples, that they don’t expect, to make sure they leave with a smile. Secondly product quality, I handpick flowers from our suppliers every week to make sure customers are getting fresh and long-lasting arrangements and third offering that wow factor on our bouquets, unique flowers, color palettes and texture that customers and couples later appreciate. Regardless of our size, when I look back I can say that I’m proud of our progress throughout these few years, how much we’ve learned, how many people have worked with us with the same work mystic.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Luck is not finding traffic on the 10 fwy to visit the LA Flower Market! lol
Contact Info:
- Address: 128 S. Myrtle Ave., Monrovia, CA 91016
- Website: www.aquarelagiftsflowers.com
- Phone: 626-4333055
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aquarela.gifts.flowers/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aquarelagiftsflowers/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/aquarela-gifts-and-flowers-monrovia
Image Credit:
Andrea Marulanda Photography
Images by Carolina
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