Today we’d like to introduce you to Marites Perea.
Marites, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve always loved flowers and I’ve always had a passion for designing and crafts. I used to work at a bank and would make silk flower arrangements as presents for colleagues whenever there was a celebration or special day. So it started from that passion – just doing it because I loved doing it and eventually, my supervisor and colleagues started ordering custom silk flower arrangements.
When I realized that it was something I could do and wanted to do, I pursued it. It took a lot of courage and faith (story below, but in a nutshell I was broke!) but I knew that designing and arranging flowers is what I really wanted to do and from then on I put my energy into it, building the business and growing it to what it is today.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
When I decided to pursue my passion with flowers and turn it into something full time, I was actually broke and divorced. I started the business around 20 years ago with no capital but $250 and a heart full of courage and faith. I rented a spot in Chula Vista for the business and because I had no home, my place of business became my home too.
I had no employees and would drive all the way to LA for silk flower supplies. I think that remains to be the biggest challenge I’ve had and to this day… starting a business with $250 capital and no money to fall back to. I know I wouldn’t have survived without the key people who gave my dream a chance and believed that I could do it. I started with silk flowers and eventually worked with fresh flowers as the business grew in the wedding industry.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Tessfresh Flowers – what should we know?
Tessfresh Flowers aims to work with brides and grooms to make their celebration unique, memorable, and beautiful. We know and give utmost importance to the fact that every couple has a different budget and vision and it is our hope to find the balance between the two to give them beautiful florals for a day that they’ll gladly look back on.
From bouquets and boutonnieres to reception and ceremony flowers, we work with our clients to give them wedding flowers they’ve envisioned. While primarily a wedding flower business, we also cater to other events and celebrations as well as accept custom arrangements for delivery or pick-up.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I believe that a business is never successful because of just one person. It’s the collective effort and passion from all my employees, my supportive family, and all our brides and grooms and fellow wedding vendors who have spread the word about our business.
Without all of them, Tessfresh Flowers would never have lasted this long – 20 years in the wedding industry that constantly changes with each season, trend, and year.
There are also key people who made it possible for this business to survive back when I started it. With nothing but a dream and $250 as capital, the owner of the space that I rented agreed to give me the first 3 months for free if the business stays and survives in the spot for 5 years. I made it and eventually moved to our current location (Morena Blvd, San Diego) but I’ll forever be grateful for that owner and for those three free months. I’m also grateful to the person I bought my first van from who agreed for a downpayment of $50!
Every week, I would add another payment till I was able to pay the whole amount. My first big break also came from an order for 700 centerpieces. I had no employees then and made the centerpieces by myself. From there, I met a bride who ordered her flowers from me and eventually became my friend who helped me in the business. I also met my husband who had been an instrumental pillar of support and my nieces who helped me with the computer work and paperwork as the business grew.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1405 Morena Blvd San Diego, 92110
- Website: https://www.tessfreshflowers.com/
- Phone: (619) 972-6265 ; (619) 276-4221
- Email: tessfreshflowers@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tessfreshflowers/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tessfreshflowers/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/tessfresh-and-tessilk-flowers-san-diego
Image Credit:
1264 Productions
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