Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittany Dowda.
Brittany, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up in the events industry right here in Orlando. My mothers been an event florist for over 35 years. I always swore I would stay away from events, but as I was fresh in college, I needed a job and landed an event sales role at 19 in downtown Orlando for a venue called Terrace 390. In the midst of that, my mother and her then business partner were opening Petals By Design, all in the middle of the recession. I worked with her part-time until I came to the realization that I needed to go off on my own and explore other opportunities. I had spent my entire life in Florida and I needed to getaway.
That’s when I packed my little two-door Tiburon with myself, my clothes, and my pitbull, Tyson. We drove across country to San Diego, CA where I knew no one and didn’t have a job. I found a small room to rent and immediately started hitting the pavement to find employment in the only thing I really knew, events.
It was in San Diego that I really found myself and sharpened my skills. I began working for Pacific Event Productions as a sales assistant and within eight months, was promoted to a sales manager. Within the next year, I was one of our top producers selling well over a million in revenue… but after about four years, I needed more change, more growth.
In 2016, I took the plunge and bought a home in Lake Tahoe where I began working for a non-profit historic loge selling memberships and hosting member events for our elite members. I missed the hustle of true sales, though, and during this time, my mother and her business partner were splitting. She consolidated her entire business as it was in debt and just surviving from the recession so I began doing remote corporate sales for her. In 2018 she had gotten her company completely out of debt and was making a decent living for herself. She had a great following and a very, very small team, but it sustained her.
It was later in 2018 when I realized the skills I had gained and sharpened in California were needed back home in Florida. I listed my house, packed up my belongings and made yet a again a long road trip across country to partner with my mother in expansion of Petals by Design. Within a year, we were moving into a larger warehouse, hiring more employees, and growing at record speed. Prior to the pandemic, we were hitting record numbers month after month, all while my fiancé and I were expecting our first child.
I worked up until two days before my due date. Onsite at hotels and the convention center, getting more cardio in than I probably should have. The thought that I would be out of work for the coming weeks after she was born was what kept me going. I wanted to get everything in line so upon my maternity absence, Petals would continue to thrive.
My daughter was born March 1st, 2020, and even during labor, I was thinking about all the events in the coming weeks. We had another record month on the books and I sure as hell didn’t want to miss it! but the pandemic had different plans. We came home from the hospital on March 3rd, and on March 4th, I was sending out refunds for canceling events. One after another. Like a domino affect, I watched all our hard work vanish, all while caring for my newborn. In the midst of learning how to be a new mom, I then had to figure out how I would support my family that had partly relied on this viable business to live.
The struggle has been immense. We are primarily a corporate event florist and corporate events are still not even at what they use to be. During the pandemic, I have been able to market more, network more often, and secure some new clients. I know when things do come back completely, we will be hitting those record numbers again. I can honestly say I feel content. I have a passion for this industry, and being a valuable asset to my own business’s success is what truly keeps me going. Petals by Design is like my second child. I love doing what we do, I love our clients, and I love being an entrepreneur in my hometown of Orlando.
As you know, we’re big fans of Petals By Design. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Petals by Design is an event and wedding florist specializing in custom work for corporate events. We are known for our ability to capture a client’s vision, our outstanding designs, competitive pricing, and our exceptional customer service. Unlike other florists, we have an extremely large inventory of vessels and decor where we can execute cohesive looks for well over 200 tables+. We are most proud of our reputation.
How do you think about happiness?
Growing with Petals is what makes me happy. I truly enjoy every milestone we hit, and the continued growth is what keeps me smiling… even amongst the obstacles.
Contact Info:
- Email: brittany@petalsorlando.com
- Website: petalsorlando.com
- Instagram: petalsorlando
Image Credits
Daylin Lavoy Photography Aisles and Ivy The Hendricks
