Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathryn Blanken.
Hi Kathryn, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Flowers by You is an expression of our love for flowers and plants and our great pleasure in creating fresh-cut floral and plant arrangements. In May 2018, my husband Doug and I decided to share our passion with Park City and create Flowers by You, a do-it-yourself floral and terrarium bar located in Prospector Square for people to experience the joy and relaxation that floral arranging brings to the heart, soul, and mind.
In 2019, we moved our shop to Kimball Junction to share retail space with Park City Gift & Gourmet to create a “one-stop shopping experience” for our customers. Since Covid, our focus has shifted from providing retail walk-in flower arrangements to corporate and hotel florals, floral arranging & wreath workshops, and weekly flower subscriptions.
We are so very blessed to have been nominated by our customers as Park City’s Best Flower Shop in 2020 and 2021.
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?
In the beginning, it was a struggle as our storefront was located in an area of town that consisted of doctors/dentist/lawyer offices, it was not a place where people would go shopping for flowers. Once we moved into Park City Gift & Gourmet, located in Kimball Junction, we immediately gained traction as this is a retail-driven area of town.
Another current struggle is that since Covid, many flower farms have closed down which is causing a major flower shortage and therefore a spike in the cost of flowers which brings makes consumers hesitant to purchase flowers. As an independent flower shop, it’s challenging to purchase flowers in volume as the major grocery stores in town and therefore cannot extend the pricing that they can offer.
Another major challenge is the unpredictability of receiving my flowers/greenery/vases on time due to the labor shortages with delivery services such as FedEx and UPS. Of recent, many times my product is delayed which is extremely stressful when you are counting on your flowers/greenery/vases to arrive for a hotel installment or private event.
Flowers are perishable, many times my product arrives dehydrated which means I quickly have to find a suitable substitute.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a floral designer that specializes in hotel and corporate flower installments and arrangements. I am known for designs that are unique and uncomplicated by using four or less floral ingredients.
I am most proud of following my dream of becoming a floral designer. I am also very proud to be the florist for the Waldorf Astoria Park City. What sets me apart from other designers is that my designs are an expression of what I am truly feeling at the time instead of following trends.
Another distinction, I live in a mountain town and use a lot of tropical flowers and greenery in my designs which is not typical for this geographical area.
What are your plans for the future?
My big plan for the new year 2022, is to phase out of my flower shop and retail floristry and shift towards becoming a studio floral designer which will allow me the time and flexibility to create and experiment with new floral and plant designs and mediums.
I have many ideas and sketches that I look forward to working on but need studio space and time to work on them. I am most fulfilled by seeing my floral ideas and creations come to life by creating large installments and telling a story with flowers – I am especially fulfilled and rewarded when people express how my work brings them joy.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@flowersbyyou.net
- Website: www.flowersbyyou.net
- Instagram: @flowersbyyouparkcity
- Facebook: Flowers By You- Park City Floral Bar
Image Credits
Jess Gruneisen Photography
