Bouquets, boutonnieres, and bows: Magnolia Belle Floral has it all
March 25-31, 2019
By Cait Smith
Spring is in the air, the sun is out, and wedding season has begun. It’s that time of year to start planning the event of your dreams. It’s also Anna Rogers’ favorite time of year because she can help make that happen – no matter the flower arrangement, she can turn a single stem into a blooming masterpiece. “If they can dream it, I can make it happen,” said Rogers.
The start of Magnolia Belle Floral began in 2014 shortly after Rogers noticed herself focusing in on the wedding aspect of floristry. Although she didn’t know she was going to own a business at the time, she knew working with brides and grooms was a part of the plan. “I was still working in the wedding market more towards the rental side of things. [...] I definitely learned more about the process of a wedding. But I didn’t know I wanted to own my own business until it just led me down that path,” explained Rogers.
She had a rough start to get her business up and running. “I got a lot of no’s or you can’t do that and I said, “well maybe I can,”” testified Rogers. She also had little experience in the tax and bookkeeping department. “Luckily, my husband, he’s really good in that aspect and does taxes for us. That helped me to be more creative and stay on top of trends because they’re always changing,” said Rogers.
With a good support system behind her, Rogers was able to seal the deal with Facebook and Instagram as her main marketing tools. “It helps that I use Facebook for marketing because it gives [clients] an insight to what they’re getting,” Rogers said. Choosing not to have a local storefront worked in her favor as well. “I love the way I structured it … I don’t have to be at a specific location for a specific amount of hours. That allows me to juggle more things, more clients and still have the family life,” she said.
An easier schedule has provided Rogers with clientele throughout central Arkansas, Northwest Arkansas, Texas, and Oklahoma.
Rogers’ main goal is to make someone’s wedding vision come to life. After a client inquiries about her services, she sets up a meeting with them – if clients are unable to meet, she accommodates their needs. “I try to make it as easy as possible for a potential client … to get with them and find out what they need,” she explained.
Once a client is on board, Rogers said that most don’t know exactly what they want. If this is the case, she gives suggestions and show examples to help clients pick what style of flower and color they like. “After I have that direction I’m able to make flower choices and suggest different types of arrangements that would be unique that they may have not thought of,” she said. In the end, Rogers strives to make the clients’ wishes better than what they envisioned.
Along with boutiques, boutonnieres, centerpieces, and table arrangements, Rogers provides services to any floral matter a client can think of. “We can get backdrops for the reception or flowers for wedding chairs – anything they can think that’s floral,” she said. She’s even willing to travel for out-of-state seeking clients.
Rogers also recognizes the ever-changing wedding trends and preps herself by browsing on Instagram, Pinterest, and through florist magazines from time to time. With all the different styles that arise, she explained, “I’ll do style shoots with other vendors and put out work that’s maybe not here in Arkansas so that potential brides can see them.” Because Rogers often works with photographers and other florists, she has immersed herself into a networking community that benefits not only her business but several local businesses in central Arkansas.
Rogers, originally from central Texas, states that after moving to Conway, Arkansas with her husband, she couldn’t have picked a better place to run her business. “I think Arkansas is really expanding. There’s room for growth and room for lots of businesses of the same type. I know many florists in the area and the owners are really nice,” she said.
However, she pays homage to her small hometown in Texas for inspiration. “I was always creative growing up. I never really knew where my creativity would take me. It just fell into my lap to work in the floral shop,” Rogers said. Curiosity got the best of her and before she knew it she was doing more than just answering phones. Her love for flower arranging hasn’t changed since.
Rogers is her very own three-tiered wedding cake: part of a loving family, a part of a fun community, and a part of an active business to top it off.
To inquire about Anna Rogers’ services, you can go to her Facebook page Magnolia Belle Floral or https://www.facebook.com/magnoliabelledesign/.
PHOTO CAPTION:
“If they can dream it, I can make it happen,” says Magnolia Belle Floral owner Anna Rogers. From bouquets to bows and everything in between, Rogers has a special flair for flowers.
(Photos courtesy of Magnolia Belle Floral)
