August 2, 2004
Bride and bloom | A chat with Laurie Ouellette, owner of Sweet Pea Design in Lewiston.
By Dorothy Ogrodowczyk
Founded: May 2004
Projected revenues, year one: $60,000
Address: 940 Lisbon St., Lewiston
Phone: 777-1520
Web: www.sweet-peadesign.com
Describe what your company does.
I am primarily a wedding planner. I try to help brides have everything they've been dreaming about at their weddings. I am also a floral designer. I carry only exotic flowers ˆ no mums or carnations.
When did you first get the idea for the company?
I've thought about it forever. I worked at a greenhouse, where I learned about flowers. I also worked at L.L. Bean, where I learned how to provide good customer service. I left L.L. Bean and I wondered what I was going to do with my life. Friends urged me to start my own business, and here I am.
What was the biggest challenge going from idea to reality?
Money. I felt that my husband's salary [beyond our normal living expenses] belonged to my children for their future, and I didn't want to refinance [the house] for the same reason. So I went to banks for a $14,000 loan to start my business. I had a lot of trouble securing it despite the fact that my husband and I own our two vehicles, and our credit rating was excellent. I said to them, "You give people bigger loans than this for a car." But because it was a small business loan, banks [were reluctant to take the chance.] I ended up getting the loan.
What was your first day in business like?
I put together a mock wedding in my 11,000-square-foot shop to show Lewiston-Auburn what I could do. I had a wedding cake, a caterer, a photographer, a videographer, jewelers, a massage therapist, a limousine and a horse and buggy. I even threw a bouquet for someone to catch. I had a great day.
What have you achieved since then?
I've started getting ongoing accounts with big companies, who come to me [for flowers] to send to major clients. On the wedding planning side, I've had one really big wedding. The bride came here to get flowers, and I ended up planning the whole event. The same thing happened with an October wedding I'm planning. And I have several more weddings lined up for next year.
What could stop you?
Nothing, but I do have an escape plan. The worst-case scenario is that I would have to turn around and get a real job, but I have other ideas as well. For example, I do oil painting, and there is always a need for floral design.
What's the competition like and how do you differ?
There is one floral design shop in Auburn called Plantasia. I differ from it in that my niche is wedding planning.
How do your market your business?
Sweet Pea, my chihuahua, is my mascot. If a customer spends $30, I give them a Sweet Pea dollar to put toward a future purchase. The idea is to get people to come back to the store. It's the best marketing tool I ever came up with. A couple came in one time and the husband said, "My wife just wanted to see your damned dog." They ended up spending $60.
What resources have proven most useful?
Maine Centers for Women, Work & Community's New Ventures entrepreneurship training at Lewiston-Auburn College; Service Corps of Retired Executives; and the Androscoggin Valley Chamber of Governments. One man at AVCOG helped me with my business plan. I look at it every day.
What do you like best about having your own business?
Working for yourself, you have this different energy going through you. The first time I look at the clock is at 5 p.m., and it's time to go home.
If you were given $500,000 toward your business, what would you do with it?
I would buy the building I [currently lease], invest some and use the rest for inventory.
What do you think of Britney Spears' recent engagement to dancer Kevin Federline? Will it last?
I think [marriage] needs to be taken more seriously, and society doesn't help by not leaving them alone. I have a daughter, who's 11 years old, who listens to all these [news reports] .
New Entrepreneurs profiles young businesses, 6-18 months old. Send your suggestions and contact information to dorothyo@mainebiz.biz.
Projected revenues, year one: $60,000
Address: 940 Lisbon St., Lewiston
Phone: 777-1520
Web: www.sweet-peadesign.com
Describe what your company does.
I am primarily a wedding planner. I try to help brides have everything they've been dreaming about at their weddings. I am also a floral designer. I carry only exotic flowers ˆ no mums or carnations.
When did you first get the idea for the company?
I've thought about it forever. I worked at a greenhouse, where I learned about flowers. I also worked at L.L. Bean, where I learned how to provide good customer service. I left L.L. Bean and I wondered what I was going to do with my life. Friends urged me to start my own business, and here I am.
What was the biggest challenge going from idea to reality?
Money. I felt that my husband's salary [beyond our normal living expenses] belonged to my children for their future, and I didn't want to refinance [the house] for the same reason. So I went to banks for a $14,000 loan to start my business. I had a lot of trouble securing it despite the fact that my husband and I own our two vehicles, and our credit rating was excellent. I said to them, "You give people bigger loans than this for a car." But because it was a small business loan, banks [were reluctant to take the chance.] I ended up getting the loan.
What was your first day in business like?
I put together a mock wedding in my 11,000-square-foot shop to show Lewiston-Auburn what I could do. I had a wedding cake, a caterer, a photographer, a videographer, jewelers, a massage therapist, a limousine and a horse and buggy. I even threw a bouquet for someone to catch. I had a great day.
What have you achieved since then?
I've started getting ongoing accounts with big companies, who come to me [for flowers] to send to major clients. On the wedding planning side, I've had one really big wedding. The bride came here to get flowers, and I ended up planning the whole event. The same thing happened with an October wedding I'm planning. And I have several more weddings lined up for next year.
What could stop you?
Nothing, but I do have an escape plan. The worst-case scenario is that I would have to turn around and get a real job, but I have other ideas as well. For example, I do oil painting, and there is always a need for floral design.
What's the competition like and how do you differ?
There is one floral design shop in Auburn called Plantasia. I differ from it in that my niche is wedding planning.
How do your market your business?
Sweet Pea, my chihuahua, is my mascot. If a customer spends $30, I give them a Sweet Pea dollar to put toward a future purchase. The idea is to get people to come back to the store. It's the best marketing tool I ever came up with. A couple came in one time and the husband said, "My wife just wanted to see your damned dog." They ended up spending $60.
What resources have proven most useful?
Maine Centers for Women, Work & Community's New Ventures entrepreneurship training at Lewiston-Auburn College; Service Corps of Retired Executives; and the Androscoggin Valley Chamber of Governments. One man at AVCOG helped me with my business plan. I look at it every day.
What do you like best about having your own business?
Working for yourself, you have this different energy going through you. The first time I look at the clock is at 5 p.m., and it's time to go home.
If you were given $500,000 toward your business, what would you do with it?
I would buy the building I [currently lease], invest some and use the rest for inventory.
What do you think of Britney Spears' recent engagement to dancer Kevin Federline? Will it last?
I think [marriage] needs to be taken more seriously, and society doesn't help by not leaving them alone. I have a daughter, who's 11 years old, who listens to all these [news reports] .
New Entrepreneurs profiles young businesses, 6-18 months old. Send your suggestions and contact information to dorothyo@mainebiz.biz.
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