Meet Lora Reichley | Floral Designer + Retail Enthusiast

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

Hi Lora, what do you attribute your success to?
I believe that my creativity and ability to think outside the box is the success to my business, as well as being a people person and quickness to learn. Just the passion and drive for what I do is what makes it all run. Without my husband I would never have made the leap or been able to make everything happen. He has been the family support in so many ways.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
So, I actually have a BA in Psychology, but after my own wedding I decided I wanted to be a wedding planner which led me to becoming a florist. I truly never knew I had it in me. I’ve always been creative, but never really knew what I was capable of until I was coordinating weddings and one day thought to myself, I can do that. I literally took a 3 hour floral design class at Joann Fabrics one day (that my mother-in-law paid for) on a visit to WA. Who know those few floral tips would be the basis to my business. I decided to make about 40 arrangements and sell them around town for Valentine’s one year, and if I sold all of them it was a sign to open my business. I did it!

It’s definitely not always been easy financially or time wise, but it’s always been easy to design. It’s natural. I love thinking outside the box, and through almost every wedding I’ve ever created I do something that the bride doesn’t know about, my little bit of, “that’s it!” moment for each one. It’s always something I feel. I don’t know how to explain it, but some how I just know intuitively that this one thing is meant for each individual bride. They all see it and know it too; that it was special for them. It’s pretty amazing.

Besides that, I just love combining every day flowers that people know with something more exotic or not the norm, or other things like dried or silk flowers. These days I really try to include organic items too, such as risotto as part of a centerpiece because, well, why not?! It’s so fun to design! Even though I’m a florist, I’m a planner too. I absolutely love to design the wedding from rehearsal dress ideas (for the entire party) to their handheld bouquets to the full tableware, and anything that comes to mind. being a wedding planner allows me to see all of those little details, like menus that match or having a lemon tree at the beverage tent because it’s a lemonade stand.

Lastly, I’ve got too many ideas. Ask anyone. I should have been a consultant (like my Dad), and helped people begin their own businesses. I think I would have been amazing at that. I currently have a home decor and gift shop in Steamboat Springs, a clothing shop and floral gift shop with a protein + tea bar as well as a coffee bar, and I recently sold my summer garden center and Christmas tree + decor biz this past winter. I’d say I have a problem. Nonetheless, I’ve finally realized what’s most important to me, the flowers. I’m creative. I always have been.

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.
This is perfect! 3 of my best high school girlfriends will be coming out in August for the first time and I cannot wait. Since Steamboat springs is such an amazing place it’s hard to decide what to do in the short weekend we’ll have together, BUT this is what I’m thinking. Strawberry Park Hot Springs (everyone should visit a natural hot spring), my town of Oak Creek (20 miles south of Steamboat) where we’ll go to our new Farmers Market on Sunday that I’ve helped to get started this year with a small group of amazing peeps, have the best tacos at my friends place, Lupita’s Cantina, and hike Fish Creek Falls to see the waterfall. Oh and we have a pretty amazing mountain in Oak Creek to hike too that overlooks our little valley. Besides, this we’ll just see where the moment takes us.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Well, first I have to say that I learned business from my step-dad, Lee Stanton. I began working for him when my parents married. I was about 9 years old, but I loved it. I grew up working for him in his business that grew to 3 shops by the time I was in high school. My Mom ended up leaving her position as a paralegal to help him too. I learned later (after beginning my own business) how much impact my Mom’s creative merchandising had on me. Then, I’d have to say that there is no way I could have built what I did without my amazing husband. He worked so hard at his own profession for us and would come home to help with the kids; cooking, cleaning, you name it! He has supported me and allowed me to become who I am entrepreneurially. There’s been some disagreements, but in the end he’s my rock.

Website: vivianfloralcreations.com

Instagram: vivianfloralcreations or emeraldsclosethiddengems or loramodernlivingideas

Facebook: same

Other: Currently, each shop has it’s own social media, and I’m working on consolidating my business into just 2 locations for more free time. We have @LoraModernLiving, @VivianFloralCreations, and @EmeraldsClosetHiddenGems. Working on my new website that encompasses my llc and the Grand Re-Brand of BLEAV: Blue’s Coffee Bar, Lora Modern Living, Emerald’s Closet, And Vivian Floral. I’m hoping the “A” will become AJ’s Bar of baked goods or something. My husband, Adam is an awesome baker. The other names are our children.

Image Credits
Natural Life Photography Celine Sargis Photography