Be Joyful
Be Joyful: a podcast for women in their 50’s or 60’s looking for inspiration on how to start a new chapter of their lives such as retirement, or looking to course correct their lives onto a happier, more fulfilling trajectory. Each month, Jean Cameron Hill introduces women who have reinvented themselves, or triumphed over challenges, and are now living their best lives! Jean hopes her listeners will gain valuable knowledge from the amazing women featured in this podcast.
Be Joyful
Catherine Kondo Arkin: Learn Her Secrets to Becoming a Successful Entrepreneur in a Small Town
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Episode 18
Key takeaways
- Catherine Kondo Arkin successfully transitioned from working in film production to owning Upper Village Blooms flower shop in Croton on Hudson
- She comes from a multicultural background (Japanese father, Mexican mother) which influences her design aesthetic
- The flower shop focuses on serving the local community while maintaining a global design perspective
- Catherine emphasizes creating unique arrangements without using traditional fillers
- The business prioritizes retail operations over large events to maintain community focus
- Social media and word-of-mouth marketing have been key to business growth
Personal Background and Early Career
- Grew up in Los Angeles in a multicultural family
- Studied history and art history at UCLA
- Worked in film production in LA before moving to New York
- Transitioned to New York for a film production job in 1983
Transition to Entrepreneurship
- Started jewelry design after divorce while raising children
- Worked at local boutique in Croton selling her jewelry
- Took over the lease when the boutique closed in 2018
- Transformed the space into Upper Village Blooms despite limited floral experience
Floral Design Philosophy
- Emphasizes mixed varieties over single-flower arrangement
- Avoids traditional fillers like baby's breath and leather leaf ferns
- Promotes appreciation for undervalued flowers like carnation
- Offers different design styles including modern, tropical, and Japanese-inspired
Business Strategy
- Focuses on retail operations over large events
- Maintains independence from order gatherers like FTD
- Collaborates with local photographer Jill Pace for social media
- Aims to expand male customer base
- Develop strategies to attract more male customers
- Continue maintaining retail focus while selectively accepting events that fit schedule
- Continue building community relationships
- Maintain independence from traditional flower delivery networks
Advice to women seeking a change
- Sometimes, you are forced to make a change. You need to own it to get over the fence and move forward. The power of speaking about what you want and manifesting it goes a long way.
- Be grateful for the opportunity to change your life. It's a privilege.
To learn more about Jean and the Be Joyful podcast visit www.bejoyful.love.
