Today we’d like to introduce you to Sophie Chkaiban.
Hi Sophie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I began my journey with floral design in high school. My junior year, I needed an elective class and chose floral design. I immediately knew that this was something I wanted to pursue. I’ve always been a very crafty person. My mom was my biggest inspiration – she kept loads of scrapbooks and was always creating something new. I loved the idea of being able to use something that was alive like flowers to create arrangements that are special for every occasion. I later on learned to design with dried and silk flowers. I got certified as a Florist with the state of Texas my junior year of high school. I continued my senior year with a more advanced floral design class where we made arrangements and fulfilled events within our school and some city events. I got a job as a floral designer at a small shop in Plano, TX which enhanced my skills immensely.
I was given the opportunity to compete in an FFA county show in the horticulture division my senior year as well. I entered with two silk arrangements and won first place in both of their classes then went on to win reserve champion of the entire horticulture division of the show. I received a great big belt buckle which I always found ironic – I have lived in Texas my whole life but never consider myself a cliche Texan by any means. The majority of my family are living in Lebanon and the rest, Vermont. We are the only ones who settled in Texas. I’ll never forget how my floral design teacher told me, “Sophie, do you know what you just did? It takes people years to win one of these buckles and you went and did it on your very first show”. It was truly at that moment when I recognized my talent.
I learned so much in the short time I worked at the flower shop. I eventually decided that I had enough determination to build a business of my own. I quit my job in pursue of something bigger and better. I spent a long time deliberating on a name and finally settled on Thirsty Blooms by Sophie. I began to market myself around my city and before I knew it, I was taking orders on a daily basis.
Once I graduated high school, I decided it was time for me to move out and start my life on my own. I moved to Austin to pursue those bigger dreams I had for my business. I recognized that it was expanding too much in north Dallas (McKinney) and it was basically like now or never to move and reestablish myself in Austin. I moved to Austin and immediately began to book weddings, events, and everyday orders. I was amazed at the positive response I had been getting from everyone. I did it all by myself. It’s incredible for me to think about how just one high school class and an incredible FFA teacher began my lifelong love and passion for artistry through flowers.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Some struggles I’ve faced were definitely reestablishing my business after moving out of my parent’s house. I was in a great big city alone and had big dreams. I had to figure out how to make a reality.
I work as an education specialist at a local early learning center and also attend A&M CT full time as a business major. I had to figure how to make time away from school and a full-time job to work on my business. Balancing three things at once had been an incredible challenge for me but had also just made me more determined than ever. I feel so incredible to be able to talk about my successes in life. It has been quite the challenge but it’s worth it. I love what I’m doing. I love being a student and learning how to properly manage my business, I also love being an educational specialist where I get to work with children all day and help manage a successful early learning center of excellence. And I also absolutely love being an entrepreneur and coming up with new ideas and ways to better myself and my business.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Thirsty Blooms by Sophie?
I specialize in weddings, events, and everyday moments. I also attend local farmer’s markets every weekend and sell fresh bouquets, dried and silk arrangements, and my handmade and all-natural spiritual and personal wellness products! I always say that Thirsty Blooms is owned and operated by a Florist with a happy heart in Austin, TX. My goal with Thirsty Blooms is to promote happiness and peace through floral design. No matter where you look, at every event, and during every time in life, we are celebrating or mourning with flowers. I have made it my mission to approach floristry in a fresh and innovative way to help make weddings, events, and everyday moments in life that much more special.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
The most important quality that I feel contributes to my success would be my drive and determination. I have for the past year balanced full-time work, full-time school and running a business at the same time. I attained my associate’s degree in only a year. Without goals and determination to complete what I’ve set out to accomplish, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
Contact Info:
- Email: Thirstybloomsbysophie@gmail.com
- Website: Thirstybloomsbysophie.com
- Instagram: www.Instagram.com/thirstybloomsbysophie
- Facebook: www.Facebook.com/thirstybloomsbysophie
Image Credits
https://instagram.com/photos_by_mkay (1st, 2nd and last photo)
