Kris Ann Elario received her Bachelor’s of Science in Floriculture from SUNY Cobleskill in 2000. She opened Fleurtacious Designs in 2003. Back in 2003 she would sit on the front step in a lawn chair and wait for the customers to drop by. And now she doesn’t get to sit down at all, all day long, 8 days a week!
Following, are all the things you have always wondered about Kris Ann but were too afraid to ask. (Nosy questions by Lily Alayne Owen)
Kris Ann, How did you get into the flower business?
When I was 16, my dad told me to go get a job. I went to this nearby Italian restaurant thinking I could get a job as a hostess. They just laughed at me.
Maybe it was fate that the restaurant wasn’t hiring, because the next store up the road was a flower shop. I went to the flower shop up the road from the restaurant a few days before mothers’ day, and they needed the extra help, and hired me. The boss there told me “you don’t want to do this for the rest of your life” and though I was a lowly bucket girl, I knew I actually did. So I decided to go to college and study flowers, plants, and design. While I was in college I worked at Agway and sold lots of birdseed. I would have happily stayed at college and Agway, indefinitely!
What made you go into the flower business at such a young age?
Starting my own business is all my cousin Paul’s fault. When I was in my early twenties, he mentioned that the florist next to Heims was closing. He said I should buy it. So I did! And the rest is history.
What inspires you?
Making people happy. Having Fun. I also like being involved in the important aspects of people’s lives.
What is your favorite part of floral design?
Just being creative : )
What is your favorite flower?
I don’t have a favorite. I like them all.
Where do you get your ideas for your designs?
Blogs, magazines, just from having fun and playing around with the flowers, being imaginative.
Do you have a favorite style?
In the shop we tend to focus on Vegative, Garden Style, Modernistic, and European. I don’t want to have a favorite.
What would we find in your home? What is your dream design?
Empty vases. Crystal Movado, Tiffany, they are all empty (*laughing*). But if I was to fill them, it would probably be something seasonal, and white. I like white because it is clean and simple and classic.
