Meet Trailblazer Leah Robin Kohlsaat

Today we’d like to introduce you to Leah Robin Kohlsaat.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was working in a administrative, customer-service role industry that often drained me at the end of the day, when a friend of a friend approached me and said, “I hear you know how to make things beautiful on a budget. Would you consider doing the flowers for my wedding?” I had never done floral design, ordered flowers in bulk, or charged someone for creating beauty, but I said “yes.” It was a brunch wedding, so I arrived at 4 am with my buckets and clippers and designed cascading florals down an arbor and long tables in white linen. I curated a space of beauty and got to make people really happy on a very important day of their lives – and I loved every minute of it. Later, my then-boyfriend, now-husband said: “You got to be creative, introverted, outdoors, work with flowers and create beauty. And – you are totally gifted at this. You should really explore a career in floral design.” That first wedding ignited a passion and I began my apprenticeship in a local flower shop and attended every single floral design workshop I could get my hands on. Birch and Bloom Floral was born in 2017 with a mission to bring forth more beauty into the world, and I am lucky to say, we’ve been thriving ever since! We love our clients and continue to work with some of the most fun, joyous, incredible people!

Great, 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?
I think when you are focused and passionate about something – i.e. starting your own company and designing incredible florals – you encounter obstacles as just a necessary evil to overcome on your way to where you are going. Being an entrepreneur is incredibly difficult, of course! Especially at the beginning. You have to be your own accountant, marketing manager, communications director, and still stay at the cutting edge of your craft. But if you want it (and I wanted it!), all of this is just part of the gig.

My advice to young women who are passionate about running their own company but struggling with the courage to do so would say this:
– Be crystal clear about what you are good at, and shape your company mission around that. Everything else you have to do to make your company succeed will be a means to an end, and eventually, you will be able to afford to outsource what you aren’t good at. If you are good at what you do and truly love it, you will wake up every day excited to work!

Please tell us about Birch and Bloom Floral – what should we know?
We are a full-service floral design company, specializing in weddings and events. Our name Birch and Bloom speaks to our client and design process. The birch tree is a long-time symbol of new life and fresh beginnings. To bloom or blossom is to become all one is meant to be. We LOVE to take clients’ floral dreams from concept to reality and to make flowers SHINE in their full potential in bouquets, arrangements, and installations. We agree with Dostoevesky, that beauty can indeed change the world. Beauty can transform any space, venue, and our mission is to bring joy through the beauty of incredible floral designs. There is nothing like the delight we see on our clients’ faces when we deliver our designs!

So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well positioned for?
YES! I think there are so many amazing opportunities for women, especially as business owners! One unique opportunity I see is that women are uniquely crafted to create connections, be that via personal friendships or building platforms on social media. Today’s consumer is seeking genuine connections to a brand, and I think businesses are thriving through word-of-mouth recommendations now more than ever. The ability to forge real relationships with vendors and clients and to create relatable brands is an invaluable ROI and we should capitalize on our gifting in this arena.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.birchandbloomfloral.com
• Email: leah@birchandbloomfloral.com
• Instagram: @birchandbloomfloral
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/birchandbloomfloral/?eid=ARDwRzDA949JQCGOUw_4oiW9Zq9GjtMqdcaleS8u4ubIfwogoJBMEhoBYnxLcLGXlrRjl_2-3BDmKzc-&timeline_context_item_type=intro_card_work&timeline_context_item_source=59400368&fref=tag

Image Credit:
Ashley Kidder, Rene Tate, Erin Witt, Christina Kiffney, Ashley Robin

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