As my first journal entry begins I will think about where I am creatively speaking in the floral world.  I feel I am creative and innovative in my field in many ways.  I would rate myself an 8 as a florist for I may not have the creativity to create some of the masterpieces we've all seen, although I am able to take several ideas from a bride's brain and create a beautiful bouquet for her that even surprises the bride herself.  I am a custom florist with over 15 years experience.  I am innovative because I am able to bring to life and to sales ideas that I get when I am in a quiet part of my day and realize profit from these ideas.  I have many repeat customers and solid clients who have recommended me over and over again.  For each of these clients I must sell them on ideas and bring together their own ideas so our new presentation is different from the last one.  One thing I have learned about myself in recent years is I don't let go.  I am afraid to let my staff on their own for fear they will not have my vision of perfection.  The problem is I am too much a perfectionist and I stifle their creativity and ideas for innovation. 

There are many types of innovation occurring around me in my line of work.  I see some of the most beautiful arrangements in some of the most unusual containers and one never tires from what they see.  I love this industry.  People have been arranging flowers from the dawn of time and somehow we never get sick of seeing these beautiful objects; ever!  They are always beautiful no matter what.  One of the latest trends in the floral industry is containers; finding odd containers for arrangements and then its the placement of these arrangements that tops the charts.  The mood flowers set are always relaxing and warm; making a room comfortable and inviting when there's flowers present. 

I really enjoy the "Whack" textbook as it has shown me how to think.  Not what to think but how to think and that everyone is capable of innovation and creativity.  It is not my responsibility alone that gets the job done but my team also.  I must love the ideas they give me and let them get their feet wet and their hands dirty!  I am looking forward to sharing some of my staff's work here in the future and not just mine. 

Above is a bride's bouquet I made in 2011 where the bride showed me at least 5 pictures and shared with me her favorite elements in each.  She was shocked at how well it turned out and I was able to tell her, "It was your idea!"  She and her family and friends just loved it.