Life & Work with Natalie Burrer of Sweet June Floral Co.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Burrer.

Hi Natalie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Ever since I was little, I’ve always had a passion for flowers. My parents growing up did a great job of making sure we always had our hands in the dirt and exploring all that nature had to offer. I carried that interest into college, where I held a part-time job at a farm stand in Ohio working with perennial and annual flowers and seasonal vegetables in-between classes, and this is where it all started for me. I enjoyed every bit of this job, from the hard labor of setting up the stand in the early hours of the morning to the wonderful conversations with community members sharing a passion for local products.

Fast forward a few years later in 2012, I moved to Denver working in marketing and advertising for non-profits and ad agencies across the front range. While I enjoyed this work, I had a feeling that my journey would someday take me down a different path. I began pursuing any opportunity I could to work with flowers again, and was soon spending my weekends helping with wedding and event set-up for floral studios and selling local cut flowers at farmers markets – and I was SO happy!

In November 2019, my husband and I welcomed our first child to the world, and our lives were forever changed for the better. Of course, you know what happened next – something else would bring so much change to the world. We were lucky enough to be at home with her in 2020, and one day, I was approached with a request from a past client of mine from my agency days to design the flowers for his sister-in-law’s elopement ceremony. One thing led to another, and I decided to make the jump! I founded my business, acquired my license, started a social media following, connected with local wholesalers all in a matter of weeks, and it has been a non-stop ride ever since.

Over the past eight months, I have delivered countless bouquets and arrangements across the front range, designed for over a dozen weddings and elopements, been a part of farmers’ markets and pop-ups, and made so many meaningful connections with customers, fellow small business owners, and farmers. The next part of my journey will take me east, where my family and I will be moving to Greenville, South Carolina to be closer to family. I plan to continue my floral work here in Colorado in addition to North and South Carolina, and will take on a new and exciting role and a “traveling event florist.”

While it has been a bit of a juggling act with having my daughter with me at home while running a business, I am so proud of the work I’m doing and feel so grateful to have her with me to see it all in motion. Her latest trick is she now knows how to smell flowers, or as she calls them, “flower-flys” and I have a feeling she has that same passion for nature in her that I did as a child.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In the beginning, everything was a struggle, mainly because I was starting out in the middle of a pandemic, with no idea how to run my own business.

I would say the biggest challenge, in the beginning, was estimating my weekly orders in order to procure the appropriate amount of flowers for the week. I had to be cautious of over-ordering, as I didn’t have a flower cooler in the early days and the product I work with is of course perishable. Once I was able to establish myself and my business, I was able to get a better idea of what I needed for each week.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a floral artist who finds a true passion in sharing joy with others through flowers. Whether it be through a custom arrangement, surprise bouquet, or a part of a large event, I absolutely love the happiness these incredible pieces of nature can bring to a person.

I’m incredibly proud of how far I’ve come these past eight months and the relationships I’ve built with my clients, fellow business owners, and farmers in my community. Having navigated through flower shortages, price increases, a wedding boom, all in the midst of a global pandemic, I can find something every day that I’m proud of that is helping me get to where I want to be with my business.

My business is built on hard work, curiosity, community, passion, and a love for the world of flowers. Whether it be arrangements, wedding florals, or an overflowing bouquet, each and every piece is uniquely made with love, care, and passion.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Vacationing in Michigan is definitely a top favorite – growing up in Ohio, my family and I would frequently go up to Lake Michigan and travel through the Sand Dunes, Leland, Traverse City. Michigan is just such a magical place in the summer, and having the whole family together for a week was such a gift and happy memory for me I’ll always remember.

Pricing:

• Designer’s Choice Bouquet: $35
• Designer’s Choice Deluxe Bouquet: $50
• Custom Arrangements: Start at $55

Contact Info:

• Email: sweetjunefloralco@gmail.com
• Website: https://sweetjunefloralco.com/
• Instagram: @sweetjunefloralco
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sweetjunefloralco

Image Credits
Amy Lacy Photography and Matthew Speck Photography