Meet Christina Suaso | Owner of Flower Girl Designs

We had the good fortune of connecting with Christina Suaso and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christina, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
About a year before starting Flower Girl Designs, I really began thinking more about what work life balance meant to me. I realized that work was consuming my life. I was always stressed. I wasn’t making that much money. I was coming into work sick because I felt guilty about taking a day off.

Flower Girl gave me the freedom to prioritize me. I now make my own schedule and only accept work I know I can comfortably take on. I believe that as long as I get my work done well and in a timely manner than it doesn’t matter how many hours I put in. Life is much more important than work.

What should our readers know about your business?
Flower Girl Designs has been an idea of mine for a long time. I always knew I wanted to start my own container gardening business probably around 2020. I knew I wanted it to be MINE. I wanted it to be funky and encapsulate my personality. Most container gardening businesses in Charleston advertise themselves as very proper and sophisticated, which I get. Look at where we are. But, I was tired of that. I wanted to be different. I wanted to be fun and I wanted to be wholeheartedly me. So, Flower Girl Designs was born. A container gardening company that looked a bit different from the rest.

I am most proud of myself! For taking a leap one day and figuring out how to start a business without anyone explaining what to do and making ends meet until the business finally gained enough clients. I am proud that I am 1.5 years old and have 42 clients and half of them are maintenance clients. I achieved 42 clients and being self sufficient by mainly using low cost advertising aka dropping off business cards and flyers in people’s mailboxes and posting on local Facebook groups. I showcase my work in the flyers and posts and it catches people’s attention. Lately, word of mouth has begun taking off which is great.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My ideal itinerary for someone visiting the city for the first time would be:

1. Start with going on a stroll South of Broad and pointing out all the window boxes I design and maintain! Call in 2 sandwiches from Goat.Sheep.Cow. pick them up and have picnic at White Point Gardens. After that grab a glass of wine at Fast and French.

2. Beach trip to Folly! Grab lunch and samurai slings at Chico Feo after.

3. Go on a late afternoon stroll at Hampton Park and then walk over to an early dinner at Renzo and then catch a show at Pour House.

I think the most exciting places to check out are those that aren’t super high end, places that have more character. Places that Instagram isn’t saying are the best places to check out. That is where the magic happens.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Garden Elegance was my first landscaping job and was where I learned all things flowers! When they hired me I couldn’t even identify a snapdragon. Shoutout to Matt and Vicki, who taught me most of what I know.

I’d also like to thank my ever supportive partner, Marshall. He always encouraged and believed in Flower Girl, even before it had a name. He is my flower boy!

Lastly, I’d like to thank my parents. Without their support, Flower Girl wouldn’t be where it is right now. They have always believed in me and it feels good to make them proud.

Website: https://www.chsflowergirl.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chsflowergirl/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555728268705