Hidden Gems · Interviews · Plants/Floral · Small Business

Plant Street Flower Cart

Hello Friends!

I hope you are having an amazing start to the new year!

This year I hope to continue to bring you the stories of the small businesses that make our community unique.

Today’s article features the Plant Street Flower Cart, a mobile bicycle flower cart that sells bouquets of flowers by the stem in Downtown Winter Garden. The cart’s owner Tasha says “People always tell us that our cart ‘looks like it could be in a Hallmark movie.’” I agree, this cart looks almost like it rolled out of the screen, but I’m super excited to share its amazing real life story!

Photo by Steven Miller Photography

Before opening the Plant Street Flower Cart, Tasha has had previous experience in spreading happiness. “I was a wedding planner/ designer for 5 years but as I was nearing the birth of my second baby I knew I wanted to slow down a little bit. I didn’t want to go back into corporate America. I wanted to be able to use my giftings in floral and customer service but wasn’t sure how. Then we moved to Winter Garden and I noticed that there were no florists on Plant Street. I happened to see another flower cart on Pinterest in California and I thought, ‘That’s something I could do here and it would fit perfectly with the aesthetic of downtown WG.’ I showed it to my husband and he offered to build me the cart. I started out thinking it would just be a fun little side hustle, but from day one the community has welcomed us with open arms. The first night I had the cart out just for a photo shoot and people ended up lining up buying flowers for 3 hours. We’re blown away by people’s reactions and support of the cart. We’re only 3 months in but we’re already working on building another cart.”

With it’s whimsical nature and beautiful arrangements, the Plant Street Flower Cart has become a great way for Tasha to spread joy and her talents throughout Winter Garden. Their current success has helped them to dream of their future. “Our future goals are to grow our following on social media, build several new carts, and possibly build a bouquet studio one day. Also, continue to put smiles on peoples faces with flowers.”

Currently,  you can find them on Fridays and Saturdays in Downtown Winter Garden outside Rosallie, with whom they have a great relationship. They are open to other opportunities, as well. “We’d like to do some pop up shops, and photographers can rent out the cart for photos, others can also rent the cart for private events, etc.” 

Photo by Steven Miller Photography

Having the Plant Street Flower Cart has improved their personal lives, as well. “It’s rooted us in a community we love, it’s given us connections with people of all backgrounds, socioeconomic status, age, etc., and it’s been a blessing to our family financially and because of the flexible nature of a mobile cart. If we want to go on vacation we just don’t go out that week. That’s been incredible.

Probably the biggest challenge was in building the cart. Making sure the materials could stand up to heat, rain and bouncing around down the road. My husband built the cart and put a lot of time and effort into the research of materials and building it. 

We haven’t encountered too many hurdles with this business. But in life in general my faith is the anchor in my life, so even if there are obstacles or storms it keeps me grounded. Sometimes you also just have to have an attitude of tenacity and perseverance, while also flexing with what comes at you. I’m good with the perseverance, I’m learning the flexibility.”

Photo by Sophia’s Art Photography

Plant Street Flower Cart has also given Tasha the opportunity to truly impact the community.  “Time and time again I’ve had people say, ‘This year has been so hard and it’s so nice to just be out …building a bouquet (for myself or someone else) put a smile on my face.’” The community has been able to positively embrace and impact Tasha as well. In our interview, she said she wished she had known “…how absolutely amazing the people of Winter Garden are. Friendly, supportive, knowledgeable (I’ve learned so much local history), generous, and kind. LOVE living here.”

Photo by Steven Miller Photography

Tasha offers this advice for anyone looking to start their own business, “Find something you LOVE and have a talent or gifting for. Educate yourself and learn as much as you can. Get your basics in order first (license, insurance, etc), mentor or apprentice with someone who’s done what you want to do. Just do it! The worst that can happen is it doesn’t work well and you learn how to do it better or to shift into something that does work well. So many people’s dreams die before they even try.”

Thank you so much for sharing your story with us!

Please support this amazing business by following them on social media. Soon they are hoping to have a website! Follow them on social media for more updates!

Plant Street Flower Cart Instagram

Plant Street Flower Cart Facebook

You can also find them currently outside Rosallie’s in Downtown Winter Garden, Florida on the following days:

Fridays: 5:00 PM- 9:00 PM
Saturdays: 10:00 AM-1:00 PM

Stop by, say hi, and pick up your own arrangement! 

Thank you all for reading!

Remember to support small businesses and find something you love to do too!

Have a great week!

Logo courtesy of owner

The photographs used in this article are approved by the owner. Each photographer is credited below each picture

Baked Goods · Hidden Gems · Interviews · Small Business

Chelles Bakery

Good Morning Readers!

Today’s article is about Chelles Bakery, LLC a home based start up out of Winter Garden, FL.

Chelles Baker Logo

This is run by business owner Darimar M. Velazquez, a self-taught baker and cake decorator.  She specializes in Gluten-Free French Macarons and much more.

Spiral

I found out about this business through the Chelles Bakery Instagram page. She has such a variety of different macarons that all look incredible.

Star Wars

When asked what made her chose this product Darimar responded, “The first time I tried a macaron was at the Bouchon Bakery in Rockefeller Plaza, NY. I became obsessed. I was fascinated by the range of colors and flavors that I instantly knew I had to make this treat. I researched a lot, read a lot, tasted a lot, and even threw a lot of macarons in the bin just to get them right. I chose this product because it has taught me one very important and valuable lesson: to not give up.”

Gold leaf

The decorating component of the business came about after Darimar’s sister-in-law used fondant for a cake for her daughter’s birthday. This experience propelled Darimar on her quest to learn everything she could about cake decorating through Google and YouTube. She became obsessed to learn how to create.

She then gained experience through small time bakeries and just trial and error. After some time, she knew it was time to take the risk and start her own journey. Originally selling her creations through word of mouth orders though her friends and family, she said that she would carry her phone everywhere and show pictures to anyone who was interested pictures of things she had created. Eventually, she made a Facebook and Instagram pages to market her delectable works of art.

Names

She says, “I knew I had to find a niche to be able to stand out from the crowd. That’s when I remembered how much joy I got from eating my very first macaron. I wanted to bring that same joy to others. I soon got to work on these delicate, little pastries that are notorious for enticing the hearts of people and drawing tears to those who want to perfect them. I started selling my macarons on December 2017 at the Winter Garden Farmer’s Market. It’s only been six months into the business but being at the market has brought me so much exposure. Since opening I have been commissioned to three weddings, Sweet 16th parties, and much more.”

Box and Flowers

“Becoming an entrepreneur has enhanced my life completely. It has provided me with a new perspective. You begin to think as a business owner (which makes you feel pretty special, by the way).”

Green

When asked if there have been any challenges she replied, “I wear many hats. From being a stay-home mom of two young girls to running all aspects of the business by myself it’s easy to see that time-management might be one of the biggest challenges I face. What I have learned is to delegate. I consistently ask myself, ‘Is what I’m doing right now the absolute best use of my time?'”

Her tips for others to start their own business are to work hard and find your niche “Do work you care about and truly believe in. This type of business is very saturated and competitive, but it can also be very fun and rewarding.”

Layers

Thank you so much Darimar for taking the time to share your story!

If you would like to learn more about Chelles Bakery, please visit the links below.

Instagram

Facebook Page

Pinterest Page

Due to the extreme heat in Central Florida she will be returning to the Winter Garden Farmer’s Market by the end of September or beginning of October. Follow her social media links to learn more about this and when she will be starting to sell her amazing treats online. While these will not be able to be mailed, she will be able to provide either pick up or delivery within Central Florida.

Thank you all for reading! Have an amazing day and remember to be uniquely you!

All pictures are graciously sent by Darimar M Velazquez and Chelles Bakery and are not my own.

Small Business · Updates

New Post This Wednesday

Hey Guys!

I will be featuring a new business this Wednesday! It is a home based macaron business out of Winter Garden, Florida. Super excited to bring this to you!

As always if you know anyone in the Central Florida area that would like to be featured, please let me know!

Hope you have an amazing day!

Amy