With our second Branding for Florists Workshop taking place next month, we thought it would be lovely to catch up with some of the delegates from our first Branding workshop, which took place last year.
In this first Case Study, I’m delighted to feature Oxfordshire based Rebecca Collier from The Bespoke Florist. My workshop co-host Fiona, The Brand Stylist, touched base with Rebecca recently:
How did you find the process? And how did our workshop fit in to what you did?
I found the re-brand process exciting! I felt the brand I had created for my business was becoming out of date and not really conveying a sense of my true style and business aspirations. I knew I needed to do something to bring my business back up-to-date but didn’t know what. That’s why I attended the workshop!
The workshop was extremely empowering and inspired me to start the re-brand process straight away. The course allowed me to understand what to look for in a brand designer, what questions to ask, what to expect in terms of cost and timelines. I believe that having this prior knowledge allowed me to find the right designer and gave me confidence through the design process.
You worked with Caz of Making Waves of whom I’m a big fan – we used to work together in my old agency! How did you find working with a designer? As a creative, who probably have some pretty clear ideas about what you want for your business, did you find it easy to hand over creative control?
Caz was fantastic and we immediately gelled! Initially Caz and I spoke a lot over Skype and I shared a lot of information about me and my business. I also shared the mood boards I had created on your workshop. Caz asked me several questions which really helped me focus in on the type of clients I wanted to attract, my floral style and my way of working. I felt Caz had a great understanding of me and my business and I completely trusted her and her creative skills to do a great job! I had done a lot of research into work Caz had done for other brands and felt a connection to her style and way of working.
As a creative person, I think it’s quite easy to start forming strong ideas on how you would like your own brand to look, which is of course a great starting point! I was careful not to do this too much during the design process as I wanted to keep an open mind about the brand Caz would create for me. Trying to keep an open mind and stopping myself from getting caught up with my own ideas was probably the most challenging thing… even though I had complete faith in Caz!
What impact has your new brand had on your business?
The rebrand has had a huge impact on my business! Since my rebrand and new website last summer, I have seen an increase in meaningful enquiries and an increase in bookings. Not only that, the bookings are of a higher value, at venues I love to work at, and for couples who fully appreciate and value my creative style.
What have you noticed about the sort of work you’re getting? How you feel about your business? The sorts of clients you’re getting?
Since my rebrand, I have found a sense of pride and excitement for my business again. I also feel more confident in my own creative style. I am for the first time inspired to work with great clients, who truly value and appreciate my work.
What advice do you have for other florists thinking of branding or rebranding their businesses?
I would recommend anyone who is thinking of branding or rebranding to do it! The main piece of advice I would give is to do your research beforehand. Create a list of designers whose work ‘jumps’ out at you. Look at examples of brand design on Pinterest and make a note of who created them. Once you have a 3–4 designers call them and chat with them. Designers work differently. So make sure you find a designer who you connect with and who is able to work to fit your time schedules.
Below you can see how Rebecca’s website has changed since the workshop and working with Caz.
OLD WEBSITE DESIGN
NEW WEBSITE DESIGN
THE PROCESS
Caz from Making Waves says:
Rebecca was a joy to work with, not just because she had an eye for all things creative and colourful but because she really understood her floristry style; she understood how her methods and techniques, in both her service and in the end product, truly differed to others in her industry.
After the first meeting, we were able to get under the skin of her key values and whilst Rebecca didn’t have a specific design vision in mind, she knew the impression and emotive reaction she wanted her new branding to have on potential customers. It was this clarity and understanding of her position in the market that lead to really successful results and a smooth enjoyable design journey for both of us.
Here’s the process which Caz followed, started with a mood board…
Colours
Logos & Icons
Patterns & Textures
Brand Fonts
Isn’t the new branding for The Bespoke Florist absolutely stunning? For Fiona and I, it’s so rewarding to see the journey that Rebecca has had since attending our workshop and the wonderful impact that it’s had on her and her floristry business!
If you feel, like Rebecca felt, that your brand is becoming out of date and not really conveying a sense of your style and aspirations, or you’re launching a new floristry business, do join us at our next Branding for Florists workshop in London on Tuesday, 13th September. For more information and to secure your place, simply click here.
P.S. We’re holding our Social Media for Florists workshop on the following day, September 14th, if you’d like to attend it too.
(Images : The Bespoke Florist | Making Waves)
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