February 2024
We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kristina Fitzpatrick a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
1. Hi Kristina, thanks for joining us today. Before we get into specific, let's talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?
Success is both a paramount desire and a formidable fear for many individuals. As entrepreneurs, we've encountered countless videos espousing the virtues of success: increasing profits, enhancing planning techniques, and fearlessly taking strides forward. However, this advice often feels overly general, lacking the specificity required for universal application.
In my view, achieving success necessitates the courage to craft one's onw narrative, pioneering new trends, challenging competitions' achievements, and perpetually seeking enhancements in every facet of business operations.
Five years ago, when I embarked on my entrepreneurial journey, the concept of paper flowers as a trend or business venture was virtually non-existent.
Amidst a landscape dominated by traditional floristry, there were merely a handful of hobbyists crafting simple paper blooms. Consequently, I found myself without guidance on whether my endeavor would succeed or what steps to take to ensure its success.
My initial action was to establish an Instagram presence and reach out via direct messages to numerous prominent brands such as MTV, Dolce and Gabbana, NYFW, and Apple. I firmly believed that the effort required to attract major corporations was comparable to that for smaller entities . Thus, I dedicated countless hours to this pursuit,
eventually securing my first client - New York Fashion Week. Over time, my portfolio expanded to include esteemed brands Like Google, Manolo Blahnik, PatBo, Amazon, the Met Gala and the American Dream Mall.
Nevertheless, the essence of my success lies in believing passionately in the unique and enchanting allure of handcrafted paper flowers and employing diligence and ingenuity to transform them into a burgeoning trend. Alongside creating something that captivates and astonishes people, success has granted me the freedom to chart my own course and direction. Moreover, it has afforded me the opportunity to establish a workspace where others can contribute to and partake in this vision and business endeavor.
Presently, out operations span across New York, Miami, and Huston. Recently, we've launched a DIY store where we impart the skills and knowledge necessary to craft one's own distinctive flowers. As out business continues to flourish, we remain committed to growth, innovation, and inspiring others to join us on this remarkable journey.
2. Awesome - so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Kristina Fitzpatrick - I'm the founder and creative designer of Paper&Flowers, a boutique that customizes unique and eco-friendly paper decorations.
Five years ago I opened my dream business, and since then I've been lucky to do what I love and work witch the best people in the corporate and event industries.
My team and I approach each project with professionalism and put our hearts into each unique order. We've had the privilege of partnering with renowned names like Google, NYFW, META GALA, Manolo Blahnik, Amazon Music, and the American Dream Mall. AS a creator of beautiful paper decor, I've often face the struggle of finding the right materials promptly. That's why I've opened DIY store with the high-quality foam and other DIY essentials.
A few facts about us:
We believe in an eco-friendly decoration world. That's why our flowers are made from recycled or renewable sources. All papers we use are high-quality and made in Italy and the USA. They are produced using elemental chlorine, are nontoxic, acid-free, and are made with naturally occurring pigments, Zero-waste and saving the environment. Five year's experience with over 30 handcrafting techniques. We have created paper floral decorations for more than 100 events. We are serving events in NY, Miami and Huston.
3. Can you talk to us about manufacturing? How'd you figure it all out? We'd love to hear the story.
Yes, I manufacture our products. When I first started, I began by making my own paper flowers. It was just me and a few friends initially, but now I have a team of 7. At the beginning, I had no prior experience in making large paper flowers, but I was inspired by pictures I saw online. I believed that if someone else cloud create them. I could find a way to learn as well.
So, I began experimenting and learning through trial and error until I mastered the craft. As demand grew, I eventually had to scale up production and find ways to streamline the manufacturing process. It wasn't easy, and there were challenges along the way, but I was determined to make it work. I learned valuable lessons about persistence, creativity, and the importance of surrounding with a supportive team.
Over time, I also learned the importance of finding reliable vendors and partners who shared my vision and could help me scale production without compromising on quality.
4. Let's talk about resilience next - do you have a story you can share with us?
Absolutely, I'd be happy to share a story that encapsulated my resilience. Balancing being a single morn and running a business simultaneously has been one of the greatest challenges I've faced. It's a constant juggling act that demands unwavering determination and resilience. There have been countless moments when the pressure seemed insurmountable. When business was slow, and bills loomed large, it would have been easy to succumb to despair. Yet, I refused to entertain the notion of give up. Failure simply wasn't an option.
Every month brought its own set of hurdles, and there were times when things didn't unfold as I had hoped or expected. But in those moments, I drew upon a wellspring of inner strength and resolve. I learned to push through the feat, to confront challenges head-on, and to persevere in the face of adversity.
Looking back, I realize that this journey has been the ultimate test of resilience. It's taught me that true strength lies not in avoiding obstacles but in overcoming them. It's shown me that even when the odds are stacked against you, there's always a way forward if you're willing to fight for it.
So yes, being a single morn and running a business simultaneously is undeniably hard. But it's also been the most empowering and transformative experience of my life. It's forced me to dig deep, to ultimately, to emerge stronger and more determined than ever before.
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