Sustainability Tips and Giving Back with Minne Floral Co.
Vintage Goblets by GE Creative of Boho Rental Co paired with linen napkins.
Inspiring clients and floral businesses alike, Minne Floral Co. prioritizes sustainability through local sourcing, plastic-free design, and giving back.
Tell us a little bit about yourself!
I am a mama to a beautiful 2-year-old - Daphne, and soon-to-be-mama to a baby boy in June 2024. My husband - Peter, is my rock and has been my biggest support throughout all my dreams and starting businesses. I have a master’s degree in Environmental Science and have always had the environment in mind with everything I do. I love hiking, gardening, cooking, Dairy Queen, Lat14 restaurant, comfortable clothes, highland cows, and literally all animals. I am a weirdo at heart and am not afraid of making a fool of myself, even though I consider myself an introvert. According to Peter, I am surprisingly funny and shockingly vulgar. I seem to always be doing too much, but it is a goal of mine to slow down and spend more time with the people and things that matter most.
What is your background and how did you find your way to starting Minne Floral Co?
In February of 2020, I gave notice at my full-time job to be a full-time photographer. Then the world shut down due to COVID-19. With canceled weddings and a lot more free time, I decided to start another business to help make ends meet and fill my creative void. Flowers and gardening have always been a passion of mine and I love being creative and working with my hands, so I went for it and started Minne Floral Co in June of 2020. Almost 4 years later I couldn't be more proud of this business. I started with lots of YouTube, practice, and a florist mentor and slowly found my design, signature aesthetic, and rhythm.
Describe your brand’s aesthetic and your favorite types of projects to work on.
To create whimsical, garden-inspired floral designs for the modern wedding or event. To have our clients feel cheerful, relaxed, and taken care of. To promote sustainability and support local farmers + businesses.
People may describe our style as loose, airy, romantic, garden-inspired, whimsical, artful, organic, natural, and sustainable.
Every year that passes, I become more of the florist I want to be. I think this also helps attract clients that resonate with my brand. This past year I had so many amazing clients who gave me most, if not all, free range on their floral design and it allowed me to be creative and use local products that I’ve never used before. Those projects inspire me the most. I also think styled shoots are a great way to design something YOU want and also hang out and create with other vendors.
What are some of the biggest issues in the floral industry when it comes to sustainability? What are you most passionate about focusing on with Minne Floral Co.?
Single Use Plastic. And possibly just a lack of knowledge of alternatives. The biggest place I see this is in the packaging of wholesale flowers and floral foam products. One of the many reasons I buy local flowers is that they aren’t covered in plastic wrap like the imported flowers. It reduces my processing time, is less wasteful, and not to mention prettier. Floral foam and other “convenient” floral items are all made from plastics and end up in our landfills or oceans. There are so many other wonderful alternatives like OshunPouches, argowool, chicken wire, and flower frogs just to name a few that work just as well if not better. Chemical use, working conditions, and bloom quality/transportation are issues that I feel passionate about as well.
What are some behind-the-scenes sustainable practices that you do with your brand?
My biggest goal for my business is to create beautiful designs with the least amount of waste possible. I try to add new ways to help every year, but here are a few big ones.
I use as many local flowers as I can - which helps reduce plastic waste, reduces travel time/pollution, and helps out local business owners, communities, and pollinators.
I compost scraps and leftover flowers after events and weddings
I save my rubber bands and plan to use them on my farm in the future
I don't use floral foam and instead stick to things that can be used multiple times like chicken wire and reusable vessels.
Your company donates a percentage of its proceeds back to supporting pollinators. Why is this important to you and your company?
Yes, for the past couple of years, I have donated to the Xerces Society, and for 2023+ I am a member of 1% for the Planet - where 1% of my revenue is donated to help save our beautiful planet. Giving back to these organizations that help our environment is just my way of being the change I want to see in the world. It's just a little something extra I can do and it makes me feel good.
What are your top tips for your clients around sustainability and florals? (Any unique clients/designs you want to share examples from?)
Be flexible and open to different flowers. Choose a color palette instead of specific flower types. That way your florist can opt for whatever flowers they think would be best instead of having to import this specific flower that you absolutely need.
Be open and insistent on using seasonal and local products to help save on pollution and plastic
Give back all the chicken wire, vessels, and rentals to your florist after the wedding so they can be used again.
LOWER YOUR GUEST COUNT
You don’t have to have massive flowers on every table to make a beautiful statement. Mix some statement pieces with smaller, more delicate designs to save money and flowers.
What is inspiring you most right now? Whether it’s design elements or aspects around sustainability.
Literally, just nature. As I mentioned before, I love being outside. Our world has so many beautiful places and things that I love to take inspiration from.
Discover more of Hannah’s work at Minne Floral Co. on Instagram or her website portfolio. Read up on her sustainability initiatives here.
