We had the good fortune of connecting with Kristen Dorighi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kristen, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
I have always been enthralled by flowers…way back to helping in my grandma’s garden as a child. In grad school, despite having very little extra money, I always marched to the farmer’s market each week to buy the best $15 bouquet I could find! I really think flowers can change the feel of a space and therefore how the people in that space feel.

I’d been an avid gardener for over 20 years and made arrangements for friends, parties, etc. I took as many floral arranging and gardening classes that I could find. It was always a little frustrating that the flowers you see in magazines and books were never available to me as a general consumer. It wasn’t until I read about Floret, a beautiful little flower farm in Washington state that the idea to grow my own flowers to arrange and sell entered my mind.

I bit the bullet (my friends and family likely relieved that I was finally doing something about my passion for flowers instead of just talking about it ad nauseum!) and enrolled in Floret’s intensive online course to learn about growing heirloom flowers as a crop as opposed to landscape. I live in Denver, so I was especially interested in the concepts of high density/small space techniques that were taught. I grow in every nook and cranny in my yard, built a bed in my alley and graciously accept my neighbor’s offers to let me grow in their yards!

It is thrilling to propagate the plants from seed and see them through to full bloom. I strive to grow unique, fragrant flowers that are not typically found in the stores. Flowers that would’ve been in my grandma’s garden! These are often more delicate and difficult to ship, so therefore are not easily produced by big commercial growers. I figured I could avoid the extra cost of the middleman when buying wholesale, not have to buy flowers shipped from around the world and grow the floral ingredients for myself right here.

I cut flowers fresh daily and create natural arrangements that are a bit whimsical and not terribly serious or structured. I love incorporating fruiting branches, grasses, seedpods and other unusual ingredients in my arrangements. I sell weekly subscriptions to other flower lovers by the season (spring/summer/fall) or for the entire growing season April-September. Working only with what is in bloom each week gives an appreciation for what each season offers.

Weddings, events, holidays (Valentine’s), prom, staging houses and bigger flower arrangements for a variety of occasions have also become part of my floral business. I incorporate my flowers as often as possible given the time of year. I couldn’t be happier to have these extra opportunities to spread the joy of flowers to others.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have actually been a practicing Occupational Therapist for 23 years. Flowers and gardening were always just an obsessive hobby for me. I finally jumped in and started my flower growing business just a month before the pandemic shut the world down. Though that seems like terrible timing, it was actually quite perfect. People were literally stuck inside their homes like never before. Weekly fresh flower arrangements were most welcome and not a hard sell at all!

I am proud that I started a business doing something I love at, ahem, an older age (I’m 53). It is so much hard work physically and I have had to become proficient at things that were intimidating to me and do not come naturally at all (building a website, business taxes and all of the nuts and bolts stuff). My brand is to be myself. I think I’m a pretty down to earth person. I want people to enjoy beautiful flowers.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love taking people to Union Station for a drink and people watching. The Denver Botanic Gardens are also high on my list as is the Kirkland Museum. South Pearl Street has a nice neighborhood feel and the patio at Kaos pizza is a go-to. Another great patio is Joy Hill Pizza on Broadway. Speaking of S Broadway, the 80’s shop is a time machine and all of the vintage/antique shops are worth exploring. Postino’s happy hour is a great deal and the queso and margaritas at Cochino Taco are craveable to say the least.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My grandma for first exposing me to gardening and the simple beauty of a freshly arranged vase of flowers from your garden. Floret Farm, for the education and inspirational photos of the most breathtaking flowers I’ve ever seen.
My husband, kids and family for being so supportive and encouraging as I dove in and started a business.

Website: Piperslaneflowers.com

Instagram: Kristendorighi@piperslaneflowers

Image Credits
Kristen Dorighi: flower shots Jenn Piccolo Photography: first photo of me

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.