Creativity Tell All // Courtney Cole-Arlidge // The White Flower

The White Flower is a gorgeous wedding gown shop in San Diego with the most amazing team of women that help brides find "the dress". We loved hearing from Courtney Cole-Arlidge, the boss lady, and her experience at The White Flower and in the wedding industry.

How did you get in to the wedding dress business?

By accident.  During my Sophomore year of college, I went for an internship interview at Ebay. After my interview, I went across the street for lunch and there was a bridal store called Trudy’s.  I had never seen a store like this before and I had been dating my boyfriend (my future husband) for a couple years so I thought I should go check it out.  So I did, and the lady at the front desk convinced me to work there.  That’s how I got my start.  

What makes The White Flower so wonderful?

I think it's the people who work here, and the love and friendship we have for each other.  We have so much fun working together and this shines through when we work with our clients. 

What is the most thrilling aspect of your job?

I love helping a bride find the perfect dress, especially one who believed that she would never have “that moment” when trying on gowns.  Brides are often nervous when they come to try on gowns, but when they work with us, we have so much fun.  It's even more exciting when we have the right dress, and everyone knows it as soon as the bride puts it on.  It's a magical moment.

If you had a different job, what would it be?

I would want to be a food critic.  I would travel around and eat at different places, telling people how to make things better.

What are three things you can't live without?

My fuzzy Ugg slippers, Yogurtland yogurt, and the ocean.  I have to live close enough to see or get to the ocean.

What is your piece of advice for brides-to-be?

Trust yourself.  Don’t let outside opinions convince you to wear something that isn't you.  Be yourself and you will choose the right dress. 

What do you love to do to unwind and recharge?

I like to curl up on the couch and watch movies.  I love my pajamas and my fuzzy slippers.  A big bowl of popcorn makes it all complete. 

What is something brides often don't think to ask about when picking out a wedding dress?

That someone in the bridal party or attending the wedding needs to learn how to do the bustle for the train.  It is a crucial part of the look and many times, no one is properly trained on how to do it. 

If you had $40,900 to spend on one trip, where would you go and what would you do?

I would want to backpack around the world and plan the entire trip around food.  I would travel near and far to eat everything and anything.  I don’t think I would use the full amount, but would save it for when I got back to get into shape after all that indulgence. If I did use the full amount, hopefully I walked a lot on the trip!

Thanks Courtney, we love you and your beautiful gowns. 

xoxo

Suzanne, Mike and the Wanderers

Creativity Tell All // Laura Beulke of Vertical Printing

The talented Laura Beulke from Vertical Printing shared her best and brightest about the printing industry, including some interesting client requests. 

What makes VPG so wonderful?

VPG is wonderful because we still put customer service first. We prioritize face-to-face meetings with our clients and make sure that we are always available to chat on the phone.

How did you get into the graphics and printing business?

I always had a passion for art and color, but my hand drawing skills were not as advanced as my ideas.  Focusing on graphics was the best direction for me and that is what led me to the printing industry.

Where do you draw inspiration from?

I draw inspiration from literally EVERYTHING. I am so inspired by the ever-changing trends in color.

Who is your most interesting client request?

A client once asked for edible labels. We also have had some pretty unusual photoshopping requests.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

I love the "WOW’s" we get from clients, whether it's because we got their job done so quickly or because we designed something beyond their expectations. 

If you weren't in the printing business, what would you do?

I would love to be an event planner. I love connecting people and showing them great resources.

What color pallets have you been loving lately?

Coral & Aqua / Brown & Pink / Chartreuse & Gray

What is something a lot of people don't know about you?

I love pigs (I have always wanted a mini pig for a pet).

If you had $40,900 to spend on one trip, where would you go and what would you do?

It's on my bucket list to travel to Europe and see as many of the world wonders as possible. I hope I can see it all with my husband and daughter someday.

Thanks Laura, we love you.

xoxo

Suzanne, Mike and the Wanderers

Creativity Tell All : Annette Gomez

"Once I gave into my passion I realized it was where I was meant to be." Shewanders sat down with Annette Gomez of Flowers Annette Gomez for some extra special one-on-one time. Keep reading for all of the dirt on her creative inspirations and best advice, including a pie analogy. Who doesn't love pie!?

How do you continually stay inspired and creative?

I spend a lot of time digging in my garden. That’s really all I need to stay inspired. Oh and rain. I love when it rains.

Is there anything special or unique about your morning routine?

I am a morning person. I get most of my best work done early in the morning. I am usually up by 5am and am self admittedly a little neurotic.  I clean the house, pack our lunches, make breakfast and feed the animals. I actually like doing chores. I am one of those people who will leave the dishes in the sink until the morning because that is when I have the most energy. I am usually out the door to work by 6:30am and headed to the flower market. I love that part of the business - shopping for product and seeing what is new at the market always inspires me. 

If someone wanted to break into your industry, what advice would you give them?

Be patient. Don’t expect to be super busy right away. Take your time and learn as much as you can from a seasoned designer or shop. Volunteer to work for someone who has been in the business for years. Listen, watch, and be patient.

Did you always know this career path was ‘the one’?

No. When I was in college I tried to convince myself that I was more of the corporate type gal. I majored in International Commerce. That didn’t last long. I just could never break free from the flower business. Once I gave into my passion I realized it was where I was meant to be.  

What season inspires you most?

No particular season inspires me as much as the rain. I am most inspired when it rains; the more rain, the better. I feel like Mother Earth is happy when it's raining and that inspires me. 

Do you have any funny short stories or embarrassing moments from when you first got started?

I could write a book of stories having been in the business for almost 30 years. One of my most embarrassing moments was when I asked a client how she liked the flowers her husband purchased for her, only to find out that the flowers were not for her, but for his girlfriend. Ugh. I learned a fast lesson that day. How embarrassing!

What is the best advice you have been given?

Follow your gut and don’t try to do everything. Think of all of the work as one big pie and then decide how much pie you would like to eat. Don’t be greedy and don’t try to eat too much. You will end up with a stomach ache and underserved clients.

What is your dream project?

My dream projects always involve gardening and growing flowers or food. I would love to have a bigger piece of property to grow on and have my workshop.

If there was a song that played every time you worked on your craft, what would it be?

Anything Van Morrison.

Is there anything in particular you are obsessed with these days?

My garden.

What would you do if you had $40,900 for a vacation?

I would grab my husband, a couple of backpacks and head south of the boarder. We would wander through South America until the money ran out, seeing where the wind blew us.

Annette, your insight is as beautiful as your work. Thank you!

xoxo,

Suzanne, Mike & the Wanderers

Creativity Tell All : Donna Urban

Donna Urban of Donna Urban Events had so many great things to share with us about her inspirations in the world of event planning; including how she takes her coffee and a funny beginners faux pas.  Keep reading, we promise you'll learn something new.

How do you continually stay inspired and creative?

By hanging around creative people who are always sharing ideas! There's nothing like real human interaction and the process of collaboration to drive new ideas and perfect the old ones.

Is there anything special or unique about your morning routine?

I started making coffee in a more complicated, but delicious way. I grind the beans and then do a "pour over" style coffee instead of a brew. It's a "slow food" way of doing it, but all of the steps have become important to my morning routine and commitment to starting the day purposefully.

If someone wanted to break into your industry, what advice would you give them?

Be willing to do anything needed, and be ready to not get paid at first. Finding someone who will let you be a part of the process as well as the day of the event is key.  The process is the foundation. It has to be thoughtfully built for the end product (the event) to be strong and beautiful!

Did you always know this career path was ‘the one’?

No. My career has evolved much in the same way that I described above. I started slowly and I learned about every aspect of an event over time.  And I've been doing this a long time!

What season inspires you most?

That's a tough one.  I get excited about aspects of all four and the opportunity to not just respect that season, but to seek out fresh and fun ideas to implement. If absolutely pressed to answer, I might have to vote for Fall. It's my favorite season.

Do you have any funny short stories or embarrassing moments from when you first got started?

I had a bridal party not wait for my cue before they started down the aisle. All of the girls were down the aisle before I could get the groom and the groomsmen out. I had to hold the bride at the doors until the guys were in place.  It is now one of those moments that I always pay close attention to!

What is the best advice you have been given?

Listen without forming a response while listening. Listen.

What is your dream project?

I've always wanted to do a ceremony in the snow. Literally in the snow, but able to keep everyone toasty (which I have some fun ideas for!).  Of course having an unlimited budget would help. :)

If there was a song that played every time you worked on your craft, what would it be?

I get so in the zone when I'm working on a wedding or an event. I would pick Harry Nillson's "Everybody's Talkin". The lyrics start out with the words, "Everybody's talkin' at me, I can't hear a word they're sayin' ".

Is there anything in particular you are obsessed with these days? 

A beautiful little three-month old girl named Gweneth Jo, my first grandbaby! Baby clothing stores are hard for me to walk by.

What would you do if you had $40,900 for a vacation?

River cruise in Europe with my family!

Thanks for chatting with us Donna!

xoxo

Suzanne, Mike and the Wanderers