Today we’d like to introduce you to Tricia Won AIFD EMC
Hi Tricia , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
We moved from San Francisco to Round Rock in 2010 with our two boys. In 2012, I decided to open an in-home floral studio in Round Rock.
My husband, Raymond, and I had always wanted to run a small business together. We were fairly new to the area, and a few years prior, I had quit my professional job in advertising to raise our children.
Our sons were 12 and 8 years old when we opened Romantic Florals in our garage. I chose to specialize in weddings because we have a huge wedding industry in the Austin area and because it gave me more flexibility with my time. It was very important to me to have a great work/life balance. My family always comes first; they are the most important people in my life.
Since 2012, I have had the immense honor of working with hundreds of clients. It is such a joy to design florals for such a special day in a persons life.
I love education and took many basic and advanced classes in floral design. In 2020 I was inducted into the American Institute of Floral Design (AIFD) as an accredited member.
I love all types of floral design from romantic garden style to modern/contemporary and European floral design.
I became a European Master Florist (EMC) in 2021 and was privledged to complete an intensive 20-day master florist program with one of the greatest master florists, Gregor Lersch.
I have been teaching master class workshops for professional florists in the European Style design since 2023. I had the opportunity to present a floral demonstration in Singapore last August at the Singapore Garden Festival. I will be designing three large-scale floral installations at two festivals in Europe later this year.
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?
Owning your own business is never a smooth road. Business development always takes a majority of my time and effort. For me, every client is a new client. Because I have chosen to specialize in wedding floristry, I rarely have repeat clientele. I have built a great referral business, which helps, as well as 13 years of wedding experience. I also have many different roles in my business: sales, social media, advertising, promotions, administrative, procurement, maintenance, design, and general housekeeping. As a small business owner, I do it all. I also hire and manage freelance designers when I have larger jobs where I require additional help.
On a personal note, I have also gone through a period of intense grief, health challenges, and struggles with my children. My husband and I both lost our fathers in 2017 and 2018. One of our sons had mental health challenges with suicidal ideation, depression, and anxiety.
And, of course, we had the COVID years. I had health challenges with thyroid disorder, hasimotos, and menopause. I had a hysterectomy in 2020 as well due to fibroids, months of pain and anemia.
Both of my son’s were homeschooled for most of their academic years. My oldest from 5th – 12th grade and my youngest from 1st-11th grade.
They are both currently in college. My oldest is in his first year of grad school at Texas Tech studying Architecture. He graduated in May 2024 with high honors from TTU in Architecture.
My youngest son is a. shophmore at Texas State and he has a double-major in Studio Art and Urban Planning. He has also made the dean’s list the past three semesters and is in the honors college with a 4.0 GPA.
My husband is a manager at Samsung. He manages teams of engineers in the systems group (IT). With his busy schedule we have to work really hard to connect and spend time outside of work.
I have decided to continue keeping my studio in house because it is a rent-free space and has all that I require.
This year, I decided to offer full services floral design, and this has its own challenges in acquiring new business and establishing a different clientele list.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As I mentioned before, I specialize in wedding floristry but also European Design. In my wedding work, I have a real garden-style, eclectic look. I love color, texture, and mixing botanicals. I love a lush, layered look. I never just work with one type of greenery and one flower. Even in my more minimal designs, I will always mix greenery and florals. I am known for romantic designs, great customer service, easy to work with and good pricing. I am not the cheapest florist but I work hard for my client’s making sure they get the most out of their budgets.
I am also a master florist and specialize in European Design. I love creating unique floral offerings. To inspire others and show them beauty in hand-crafted floral designs. Creating floral artistry is a passion of mine. To offer sustainable floral design that goes beyond a vase and chicken wire. I love to think outside of a vase and create really special work that can be reused and enjoyed for longer than the flowers last. I think my education and European background set me apart from other florists in the area.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I am always learning, growing in my skills and trying new things. I love to learn about flowers and plants. Ways to design more sustainably, compostable. Ways to give more to. my clients in keeping with their budget amounts. I am very creative. I am hardworking and passionate.
Pricing:
- my average wedding in 2024 is around $7-$8K.
- Average floral design $100-$150
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.romanticflorals.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/romanticflorals
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/romanticflorals
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/romantic-florals-round-rock?osq=romantic+forals
Image Credits
Picture of blue bouquet – Amy Santos – Elizabeth Birdsong Phototgraphy
