Today we’d like to introduce you to Derith Mason.
Hi Derith, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Artistic Florals opened in 1985 in the Downtown Gaslamp Quarter, originally serving hotels, conventions, and the occasional wedding. Forty years later, we’re still helping hotels shine, adding pops of color to the multitude of conventions that come to San Diego, and designing florals for about 20 weddings and 300 corporate events per year.
In 2021, we expanded our floral footprint with a charming retail shop on Adams Avenue in Normal Heights, serving central San Diego with plants, cards, candles, and daily fresh-flower deliveries. Our design warehouse in Mission Valley is the hub for all corporate events and holiday décor.
With a husband-and-wife ownership team, we bring a hands-on approach—you can always count on one of us overseeing each project alongside our talented designers and logistics team
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Being a small business is never easy, and there are always challenges, but we wouldn’t have it
any other way. A major hurdle we and others experienced was COVID and the 18-month
suspension of the event industry. Instead of seeing an obstacle, we saw an opportunity! This is
where the genesis of our retail shop on Adams Avenue in Normal Heights came about.
Coffee shops on Adams asked us to sell flowers there, which prompted us to rethink our
business model. Building a transportable interactive flower cart and stem bar, we realized that
people loved the idea of getting a morning cup of coffee along with something pretty for their
home, and an added bonus, our team loved the interaction with our local community and
building stories and experiences through flowers. Our lovely retail location has changed the
game for our intentionality around blooms, and brought flowers “Back to The Avenue”.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At Artistic Florals, we are a texture-driven design studio with a deep appreciation for flowers
that spark curiosity and emotion. We gravitate toward blooms that feel refined and a bit
unexpected — the kind that make you pause and look twice. While traditional flowers have
their place, our cooler is often filled with garden roses, premium standard roses, ranunculus,
spirea, and other seasonal selections that bring depth and character to every arrangement.
Our online ordering is thoughtfully curated into style-inspired collections — bright, neutral,
tropical, and spring — giving us the flexibility to design with the freshest offerings available.
This ensures each arrangement reflects the best of the season while remaining distinctive, high-
quality, and long-lasting.
We also value our vessel selection. To us, the container is the foundation of great design. From
elevated ceramics to modern glass, each piece is chosen to complement and elevate the florals
it holds.
What truly sets Artistic Florals apart is our team — passionate designers who care deeply about
our craft, our clients, and our community. Every arrangement is created with intention and
artistry because flowers are not just products to us; they are experiences meant to connect and
inspire.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Success is often described as luck, but in business, preparation plays a far greater role.
Opportunities tend to favor those who are ready — operationally, strategically, and financially.
When the right moment presents itself, the ability to move forward depends on having the
structure, planning, and access to capital already in place.
In our industry, timing matters. Markets shift, circumstances change, and unexpected doors
open. The organizations that thrive are those positioned to act when those doors appear.
Financial readiness and thoughtful planning create stability not only for growth, but for the
teams and communities connected to the business.
During COVID, for example, we were able to acquire another company at a favorable price.
While timing certainly played a role, the deciding factor was preparation. Because we had
maintained strong financial discipline and kept capital accessible, we were able to step in
confidently. In many ways, what may look like luck from the outside is often the result of
consistent groundwork behind the scenes.
Pricing:
- Weddings: minimum $3,500. Average investment for most couples is $8,000-$14,000
- Retail: Vase designs start at $75, while a wrap design starts at $45
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.artisticflorals.com
- Instagram: @artisticflorals
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArtisticFlorals/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/artistic-florals-san-diego
Image Credits
Jennifer Dery Photography
Mia Matte Photography
