When Things Are Simply Meant To Be

Now that I have reached my first year milestone, I feel I have a little bit of Flourish history to share with you. Today, I reflect on how when things are meant to happen, they simply do.

Inspired by the candy counter at the Sweet Gourmet (http://www.shopsweetgourmet.com/) in Sayville, I had this idea to sell soap in much the same way you would buy chocolate by the pound. I envisioned stacks of handmade soaps cut and sliced into tempting bundles and edible scents. Some of my best ideas come to me at the most inconvenient times. So, it goes without saying that this "soap idea" of course proved to be no exception. I would say somewhere between 1 am and 3 am I had an idea to display the soaps bakery style by crafting the soaps into slices of cake, petit fours, tarts, and even brownies. This of course, was just one of the many ideas and visions I was coming up with for Flourish and certainly one that would have to be well researched.

However, when something is meant to happen, it simply does. And that is how my soap cakes came to be. Little did I know that the entire idea, product and resources would simply appear on my mother's dining room table only 2 days later with not so much as uttering a word about it to anyone. There on the center of the table was a beautifully presented basket loaded with fresh cut soaps just begging to be sampled. You see, my mother's friend knew someone who was making handmade soaps and was wondering if I would be interested in them since she knew I was about to open a bath and body boutique. I sampled them, loved them and contacted her almost immediately. During that first conversation I remember being a little reluctant to tell her about my Soap Cake idea but figured, why not? After I described my idea in meticulous detail about how I envisioned the soaps scents, colors and even the platters on which they would be displayed there was complete silence on the other end. I figured she thought I was crazy. To my astonishment and utter dismay she simply replied, "I am a pastry chef who now makes soap". What where the chances of this happening?

Within 4 weeks, I was presented with these exquisite custom created Strawberry Torts, Chocolate Bundt Cakes, Lavender Pies, Brownies and Petit Fours. Basically, exactly what I envisioned one sleepless night.

Fragrance Blending

One of the unique things about Flourish is the custom blending we offer with our fragrance oils. When I was getting ready to open Flourish I wasn't sure how well this would do, so I ordered about 30 different scents just to get started. One year later, I offer over 60 different scents. I can't believe the delicious combinations that my customers have come up with. I have to say that I do have my favorites (Fig & Amber, Apricot & Fresh Ginger, Bergamot, Vetiver & Leather). I knew that this would take off with women, but I was pleasantly surprised with how well it was received by men. Father's Day was particularly surprising. I had one mom who brought her 13 year old son in, kicking and screaming I am sure, to create something for dad. I knew he was reluctant at first, but after a few sniffs of the bottles he really got into it, even coming up with something quite unique for his dad.

Once you create your scent, you then get to select a perfume bottle for a really custom creation. I have traditional apothecary style bottles, bottles with caps and others with wands. Most styles are available in clear, green or cobalt blue glass bottles. If you are really in love with your scent and can't get enough I also have unscented Aloe Hand and Body Lotion and Shea Body Butter that you can blend with your signature scent for fragrance layering.

There is definitely something exotic about custom blending. The process of blending is very personal and magical. There is definitely an art to it. However, it gives even the most self-described "unartistic" person the feeling of creativity.

Our Perfume Parties are quite special in that they are truly unique. Whether it's a birthday celebration, bachelorette party, girl's night out or just for fun, everyone is given the opportunity to create something unique during a one-on-one session. The fun in creating a scent with your friends is in the sharing of your creations. For adults, this includes a night of wine tasting, hors d'oeuvres and raffles, as well as private shopping in the store with a special coupon just for guests. For teens/tweens birthday parties, it's all about being a diva. From the moment you enter Flourish guests are greeted with tossed rose petals, balloons, a white carpet, pink passion punch and cupcakes. While each guest is creating a scent the others can be getting a facial mud mask or nail decor.

One Year Celebration

I can't believe how fast time flies. I remember the day I started bringing boxes through the "coming soon" covered doors. The feeling it gave me was the same feeling I had, and forgot about, when I moved into my first new apartment. The excitement, the planning and setting up. I've always loved setting things up and finding the perfect spot for everything I owned. So, you can imagine the thrill it gave me to see all those empty shelves waiting to be merchandised.

Well, I have been setting up and merchandising for a full year now. I still love all the fussing. Finding the perfect spot for even the simplest item still gives me great pleasure. In celebration of this one year milestone, I threw Flourish a "first birthday party"complete with Cinderella. I invited parents and children in the area to come and help Flourish celebrate. We had balloons, cake, goodie-bags and a visit with the princess for pictures and singing. She was simply enchanting. We even raffled off a basket full of some of Flourish's favorites for a lucky mom to take home.