Knack for flower arranging springs career change
Knack for flower arranging springs career change
Written by Michelle Davis Tuesday, 07 February 2006
Flowers & Frills
After 22 stressful years as an elementary principal, Carolyn Graf longed for a more laid back career. After taking a class on silk flower arrangement, Graf created all of the flower arrangements for her daughter’s wedding 10 years ago. She then realized that she had a talent for floral art.
“Flower arranging is an art,” Carolyn Graf, owner of Flowers & Frills, said. “You either have a knack for it or you don’t.”
After 30 years in the Round Rock school district as a teacher and a principal, Graf retired. Soon after, she approached her friend, Sherry Randig, about opening a flower shop. After discussing it over lunch one afternoon they decided to go for it, opening their doors with flowers and frills in August 2000.
“I was scared. I had been with an optical company for 17 years,” Randig said, “but I love flowers and I thought it would be neat.”
The struggles of starting a business began early. One month after opening, road construction began outside their front door. The major construction on Pecan St. consisted of widening the road. This blocked entrances to different downtown businesses, as well as caused traffic congestion.
“For eight or nine months, there were days when you couldn’t turn in to the store,” Graf said. “But, I still enjoy this business because I can be creative in making something beautiful and it’s just rewarding to make people happy.”
They order flowers three times a day to ensure they have the freshest flowers. The longevity of their flowers sets them apart from discount retailers and grocery stores.
The most popular arrangement is star-gazer lilies encircled by small pink flowers. For Valentine’s Day, red roses by the dozen are the most commonly ordered arrangements.
“I buy flowers from Flowers & Frills at least twice a month depending on the occasion,” Gary DeVito, long-time customer, said. “They have a good product with good service.”
Graf doesn’t believe that ordering flowers online is to the customer’s advantage.
“People don’t realize that ordering flowers online is turned over to local florists. It cost people a lot more to order online than if they came directly to us,” Randig said. “People would do better going to our Web site instead of the middle man.”
Flowers & Frills, 103 A W. Pecan, Pflugerville, TX 78660, 512-251-8869
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