Frequently Asked Questions: How did you become a high-end business?

June 29, 2010

By always thinking the sky is the limit. Restrictions are poison. An overinflated ego is also poison. But, the biggest poison? Fear. I recently read a wonderful quote by Michelangelo: ”The greatest danger is not that your hopes are too high and you fail to reach them, it’s that they are too low and you do.”

Making the decision to become a high-end business is only the first step. The next step is developing a new mindset for you and your company–giving it a soul. Always remember, whether you believe success is possible or impossible you’re right.

What has kept me going all this time, is what I call my “10 commandments:”

  1. Mistakes are not a sign of stupidity, they are human ways of learning. (This simple truth still encourages me to keep improving my brand.)
  2. Things are not always the way we want them to be, nor do plans always work out our way. (Once you learn this, nothing can keep you down.)
  3. To accomplish success, we constantly need to shift “colors.” (If you design or your idea is not working, let go of it and change it.)
  4. Focus less on your self-interest and more on how you can service your client in some way. (Establishing great service first is a great segue to raising prices later.)
  5. Go with the flow of your failures instead of being devastated by them. (This gives you endurance and longevity.)
  6. Always pay attention to the “teachers” in your life. (What you strongly admire in others may be exactly what you want and CAN accomplish.)
  7. Daily Mantra: “Let things happen as they happen and do your best at all times.” (In other words, when you get lemons, make lemonade.)
  8. I never seek to be the best, however my goal is always to be different. (This will always give you a business edge.)
  9. Fear should never stop you. Some fears are obstacle to what you really want, other fears are signals that you are attempting something you do not want.
  10. When “bliss” meets “talent” watch out. (Always work on improving your talent.)

Creating a soul for your company is one sure way to success. Once you have a strong soul, the big bucks will naturally follow. Without a business “soul” you might only go so far before feeling discouraged. On Thursday in our Common Mistakes, we’ll discuss the common pitfall of not knowing your own worth.

Which of my “commandments” do you relate to the most? And which ones, if any, do you have conflict with? Are you ready for the next step?

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7 Responses to Frequently Asked Questions: How did you become a high-end business?


  1. Bisi Bordley
    June 29, 2010

    I found my Daily Mantra!!!!
    Thank you



  2. Lori Kunian Melrose, MA
    June 29, 2010

    I can relate to them all in some way or another, but #9 is the biggest for me…Fear of failure kept me from owning my own shop for 20 years….Fear of failure kept me from going for my AIFD certification until this year…Fear is a huge factor in why I do not go after things that I want and I am making strides to finally change that. Over the last five years, I have opened my own flower shop, had Gastric Bypass surgery and lost 210 lbs, have forced myself to go after business that I didn’t think I would ever get, have hunkered down and made decisions that were scary to me and learned from the outcome whether good or bad, and have gone ahead and started the process of getting my AIFD certification, I test this week in Boston. Preston, you are one of my favorite celebrity florists, I don’t necessarily want a business like yours, but you make me aspire to be a better florist everyday…not the best just better than the day before everyday..I love your articles they are very motivating. Thank you, Lori



  3. Lacrecia Stewart
    June 29, 2010

    This is what I needed!! I was just questioning what I wanted to do with my life a degree in interior design sitting on my counter and I’m not using it and I dont want to continue to let it waste away! You have given me the push I needed to take the next step in my life. Thank you!



  4. Natasha Chornesky
    June 29, 2010

    I most relate to number four. The more I focus on serving my clients the richer their experience becomes. The funny thing is the better I serve them, the more ideas I garner from them. Part of serving them well, is really listening to what they have to say. When I do, without fail, they give me simple ideas that when implemented, make a world of difference to my next client.



  5. Heather van Breda
    June 29, 2010

    I needed to read this today, thank you for sharing! I think #8 resonates with me the most. Being “the best” sounds like you’re just competing in a category of like designs; being different will set you apart. I find that inspiring.



  6. Doña Carmen Milagros
    June 30, 2010

    Hola Preston, it’s me again ;) I agree with Heather; I can relate to number 8, being different or “unique.” Coco Chanel; my other Guru apart from you; once stated the same….