Meet Trailblazer Bethany Brown

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bethany Brown.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Many years ago back home in Texas, I took a temporary job around Valentine’s Day at a local flower shop. Valentine’s is the super bowl for florists and they always need extra help! I ended up staying on at the shop, learning from their main designer and owner and working there for a couple of years. Now, it wasn’t that inspiring or sexy… we were across from a hospital and did your typical “get well soon” arrangements with a teddy bear and a balloon. 😀 But I loved playing with flowers!

Unfortunately, there’s not a huge future working part time at a flower shop, and life had other plans. I accepted my first job working as a web developer shortly after my flower shop stint. Since then, I’ve worked for several different companies, from a small agency to fortune 100 and lived in a couple states… always stuck inside on a screen. But soon found myself burnt out with computers and drawn back to flowers, creating, working with my hands.

I reached out to other wedding florists in San Diego and starting freelancing and interning for a few talented women. I learned how much hard work goes into these events but also how wild, beautiful and creative the flowers could be! Miles away from a get well bouquet from 1-800-flowers. 😀

At the end of last year, the company I was working for got acquired and some big changes were coming for my day job. It was almost fortuitous because it led me to make my first leap towards Tiny Victories — I quit that job, reduced my hours, decided to work remotely as a web developer and start my own wedding floristry business!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I don’t know if it has been smooth, but it has been nothing like what I expected! There seems to be something magical that happens when you start to pursue your passion… the strangest things start to line up in place before you, and your struggles aren’t as daunting as they seemed from the outside. You are doing what you want to do and you are capable! It’s overwhelming and challenging, but it’s YOURS.

I think my biggest struggles so far have been time and calendar management… juggling my web development work (still working 30 hours a week on the computer) and managing an industry that books over a year in advance. But I wouldn’t have it any other way right now! It’s exciting and I’m still in awe of every opportunity that comes my way.

I think the best advice is to follow your gut, and do what you want to do. Get creative. Scheme. Figure out a way where you can side hustle your dream while still keeping the safety net. It will be less scary, more stressful, but still so empowering. You will figure out the details along the way, and things will fall in to place more naturally than you imagine. Speaking of empowerment, learn when to say no. Make time for yourself and protect that time. I am still finding this balance!

We’d love to hear more about Tiny Victories.
Tiny Victories specializes in custom wedding florals unique to each couple and each wedding. I love garden inspired, lush and whimsical flowers that make people think “whoa, I’ve never seen flowers like this!” I can create floral installations, lush and beautiful centerpieces, bouquets.. you name it. 🙂

I think what sets me apart is that I want to keep it real for my couples and stay grounded. The wedding industry is crazy, and flowers are expensive, but I will work with you and your budget to make beautiful flowers for you anyway. 🙂 I take time to make custom inspiration boards, chat and meet with my couples and take their wedding to a new level by using flowers as the creative medium to do so.

So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well positioned for?
Oh, absolutely! I don’t think we should go into anything feeling limited from the start. That’s definitely not my style. I think that if you find what you are passionate about and what you care about, that is the opportunity you are positioned for. That is your fuel and your secret power.

And I’ve noticed something awesome working in the wedding industry with a lot of talented women, who are running their own business, hustling hard, juggling families… these women take care of each other. We lift each other up. It’s not cutthroat like one may think, and I love that! It’s amazing the difference it makes, the opportunities we create for each other by working together! So, we should always take an opportunity to encourage and help each other through the unique challenges women are often faced with.

Pricing:

• Custom Wedding Florals: $2,500+

Contact Info:

• Website: http://tinyvictories.co
• Email: tinyvictoriesfloral@gmail.com
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/_tinyvictories
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tinyvictoriesfloral/

Image Credit:
Gabriel Conover, Jamie Lee English, Alyssa Boyton, Color and Cake Photography, Madeline Barr, Ashley Gabes

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