This holiday season, the Salt Lake Chamber will showcase local small businesses weekly. These businesses are integral to our community, and we encourage you to join us in celebrating and shopping small this season! Discover this week’s featured business below:
Why should people support small businesses?
Supporting small businesses means supporting the people and the community behind them. At The Art Floral, we value building meaningful relationships with our customers. When you shop with us, you become part of our family. Every purchase you make helps sustain our business, allowing me to support my family, send my kids to college and provide my employees with a comfortable livelihood. Your support truly makes a difference in our lives.
What’s the biggest challenge that comes with being a small business?
Small businesses face many challenges, but one of the biggest is competing with the convenience offered by large corporations. Another difficulty is maintaining a work-life balance. Since I live right next to the shop, I’m often working around the clock, handling tasks and ensuring everything runs smoothly. Taking time off is challenging because my absence puts extra pressure on the business. Despite these hurdles, I can’t imagine doing anything else — it’s all worth it for the passion and connection to the community.
What’s the best opportunity that comes with being a small business?
Owning a small business has allowed me to build invaluable connections — whether with fellow small business owners, farmers in Hawaii or my chosen family. It truly takes a village, and I’m grateful to have such a strong support system. Additionally, I love the creative freedom this job provides, balancing both the business side and the artistic side. It’s the best of both worlds, where I can thrive in the strategic aspects while also expressing my creativity.
What’s one thing you wish customers knew more about when it comes to running a small business?
Many people say they’d love to work with flowers all day, but they often don’t recognize how much additional work goes into running a small business. From finding the right employees and building a loyal clientele to sourcing flowers ethically and affordably, the behind-the-scenes efforts are often overlooked. Managing a physical space and wearing multiple hats can be overwhelming at times, but despite the challenges, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Seeing the joy on people’s faces when you hand them their perfect bouquet is a dream come true.
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About The Art Floral
In 1951, Stefanie’s father started The Art Floral after serving in World War 2. He wanted to create something beautiful, the opposite of the devastation he had seen. He began with a floral cart on Main Street and later opened a shop at 369 S Main. The Art Floral eventually moved to a grocery store, and now the current location is 580 E 300 S in Salt Lake City. This family-owned business has thrived thanks to the support of the Utah community, including the Greek Orthodox Church. The Art Floral’s commitment to serving the community through educational courses and ongoing charitable efforts continues to this day.
