Q & A with Rhonda Owner of Loess Hills Floral
Our webmaster came up a few questions for the owner of Loess Hills Floral, Rhonda B. As you can tell she is a little camera shy but she was completely honest with the questions that were asked.
Name?
R; Rhonda Patrice Bullington
Age?
R;37 08/01/1975
You are ok with people knowing how old you are?
R; Absolutely, no big deal to me.
Hometown?
R; Lincoln Nebraska
Currently Reside?
R; Council Bluffs Iowa
What brought you to Council Bluffs?
R; My husband, James, he is with the Iowa State Patrol, he’s a Trooper, and he is stationed @ Post 3, Pottawattamie County
Spouse?
R; James Bullington
Parents?
R; Christine McNulty, Ron & Jan McNulty
Siblings?
R; 3-Sisters 1-Brothers
Children?
R; 2 step children 16yrs Son, 21 yrs. old Daughter
Pets?
R; 2 dogs, King Charles Cavalier (Gabby) Yellow Lab (Sasha)
Hobbies?
R;Golf, watching Lewis Central High School Sport, Drama, & Show Choir (my step-son is a very busy active young man)
Music?
R; I love all kinds of music, if you have ever been in the studio, there is always music playing… Somedays is the Beatles, Van Morrison, Amy Winehouse, Otis Redding, Dave Matthews, (some days I like Lil Wayne) that’s my lil secret though… I just into a zone and start creating, music is a huge part of the way I design.
How long have you been in the floral industry?
R; since 1997
When did you open Loess Hills Floral Studio, LLC?
R; I opened the original Loess Hills Floral Studio (on the Corner of N 16th & Ave K) in June 2011. I move to our current location in the Harvester Artspace 1010 S Main Ste 700 in September 2012 and never looked back. I LOVE this new studio
How did you come up with the name “Loess Hills Floral Studio?
R; I didn’t want to call it “Rhonda Flowers”, or anything to do with my name, or family name; I wanted to be “more nature” to the Council Bluffs area when my studio is. I call it a “floral studio” instead a florist or floral/flowers shop, because I feel like it’s a creative place/studio when original floral art pieces are create. I do not and will not do mass production arrangements, that not my style. I will create any floral piece while you wait or if you place an order over the phone, I create and then deliver. Other may call themselves at “floral studio” but I know and they know there is only 1.
When I created this venture, I did a lot of research about creating a brand and what kind of product and image I wanted to portray. As you can tell, I am not someone who needs to have my face everywhere and make sure when I walk in a store that everyone NEEDS to know who I am. I believe that my work speaks for itself. My marketing guru keeps telling me that I need to get my face out there… believe it or not I like being anonymous, laying low.
How many employees do you have?
R; Not count me and Gabby? None. I have designers & part time crew that I call in for big events, wedding, etc. but the day to day stuff is all me. I have brought the son in now that he is 16 but he is a very active boy, so I’m on my own a lot.
The most unusual arrangement you ever created?
R; I think it was a plane made completely made out of mums for a casket spray. I made the plane look like it was taking off of the casket; I’d say that was one of the most challenging pieces I’ve ever created
Do you like flowers and if so what’s your favorite flowers?
R; Well I LOVE green plants and I think my favorite flower is any kind of Orchid
What’s the best part of your job?
R; Delivering smiles, I don’t care if its small piece to the hospital, bridal bouquet or even a casket spray, no one can frown at a fresh floral arrangement
R;I love to attend mini floral/wedding symposiums to keep up my skill level & learn what’s new, up & coming in the floral/wedding industry
What’s the worst part of your job?
R; LOL ….PAPERWORK
When you are a huge successful floral designer, will you continue to create all the floral pieces or will you pass the work onto your other designer?
R; LOL, that is a great goal, you know, I really LOVE my job, I think that I will continue to create but not be the face for “Loess Hills Floral” I’ll let someone much younger and prettier
Long Term Goals?
R; To have 2 successful “Loess Hills Floral” locations 1 in Council Bluffs & 1 in Lincoln.
Something people don’t know about you?
R; I grew up roller skating, and in 2005 made the “All Star” Travel team for the No Coast Roller Derby Girls Lincoln, Nebraska. “Retired” in 2010
R; Also I come from a strong retail background. My parents have own a Jewelry store in Lincoln Nebraska since 1981
R; Both of my parents were “super jocks” My father played minor league baseball and my mother was the First Women’s Athletic Director for Nebraska Wesleyan University
Moto?
R;I strive for perfection with every floral piece I create
“I feel very lucky, I get up every morning & go to a job I LOVE. How many people can say that?”~ Rhonda B
