A few years ago, two college guys came up with a creative way to make extra money for food and to give to those in need–they sold flowers outside of graduation ceremonies. What they started as a small business on the side turned into a company called Flowers for Dreams.
These men saw an opportunity to create something beautiful in a sleepy market, and they revolutionized the flower industry. They took what used to be an old-fashioned and expensive industry and turned it into the next trend around the city. Located in Logan Square–a newly re-gentrified neighborhood of Chicago–they attract creative millennials (AKA hipsters) with their beautiful yet simple bouquets wrapped in burlap and their charitable mission.
Not only do they provide a cool product, they also hand-deliver them via bicycles for free. This adds to their trendy brand, and also allows them to partner with other small businesses in Chicago. Heritage Bicycles and Coffee–a hipster bike and coffee shop in Chicago–advertises Flowers for Dreams by decorating with the beautiful flowers, while Flowers for Dreams rides around on Heritage bicycles. They also take advantage of local events. During the Lollapalooza music festival this summer, they hosted flower crown workshops.
Flowers for Dreams also advertises with a flower truck that drives around and hangs out with the Chicago food trucks. It is the first flower truck in Chicago since the 1930s, and expands their business by bringing their product to people. Once people see their truck, they are immediately intrigued.
This blog is awesome because its something that is certainly interesting and simple to understand for anyone and everyone. The business and service these guys provide is definitely something that can have passion and emotion put behind it. The pictures go fantastically to put the reader (myself) in the setting for a hipster flower shop on wheels. These founders are living a good live being involved with this trade and they definitely know it!
I love what you said about this company revitalizing a sleepy market. I sometimes think that not much can really change with something like flower markets because of the difficulty of keeping an inventory sometimes, but I think this is a really neat idea for a funded charity. In addition, their story of beginnings and expansion is truly inspiring. Thanks for sharing Lindsey.
I love the idea of this company. I think it’s so key and innovative that they have a flower truck- and as you said- it’s the first one in a good while! They go to their target market, instead of waiting for people to come to them.
This is an amazing idea! Although the idea of a flower company is pretty traditional, they were able to put a unique twist to the idea and attract a younger audience. Taking the traditional use of flowers and combining that with young, fresh fads like flower crowns is very innovative. It’s exciting how innovations don’t necessarily need to be fully original, but can be built upon older uses of things.