Since I was very young, I have been passionate about decoration and handmade creation. I am full of imagination and have always loved decorating festive events for my family and friends. After a career change, I am now more fulfilled than ever to bring future couples’ decor ideas to life. Attention, listening and sensitivity are qualities I have and love sharing with my clients. I also enjoy creating personalized objects such as guest books, card boxes, seating plans and bow ties in harmony with their theme.
My background before getting started
I studied science and in 2011 earned a bachelor’s degree in safety and quality in healthcare practices. I then worked for seven years as a quality and risk management assistant in a mental health institution. During that time, I had a car accident that led to a long period off work and significant rehabilitation. That difficult experience allowed me to refocus on my desires, my needs, and the meaning I wanted to give to my personal and professional life. When I returned to work, I had lost all interest in the job I was doing. I asked myself many questions and completed a skills assessment, which very quickly highlighted the profession of decorator.
The idea of becoming a Wedding Designer
The profession of decorator had always been somewhere in the back of my mind. It became obvious at the end of my skills assessment, and through the regular remarks from those around me when they saw what I created for private events.
Difficulties and how I overcame them
As a hospital civil servant, it was not easy to combine both activities. I had to make a choice, so I took a leave of absence, with both its advantages and especially its disadvantages, notably the total loss of salary and the impossibility of receiving any financial support. A real challenge.
The support of the people around me, especially my partner and friends, was essential in helping me make that decision and begin this new adventure.
My agency and its services
Décorat’M meets the needs of private clients for scenography for unions such as weddings, civil partnerships and symbolic ceremonies, but also christenings, birthdays, themed evenings and baby showers. It also works with professionals for the decoration of shop windows, commercial launches or seminars.
We offer decoration services tailored to clients’ needs and, above all, designed to create bespoke decor that truly reflects them.
We listen carefully, define the visual thread of the decoration, and bring all our expertise and creativity. We source decor elements that perfectly fit the theme in order to build harmony between the venue, the decor, the flowers and the stationery. We can even make the groom’s bow tie in line with the theme of the event.
We also offer floral design services so that our clients can benefit from a complete decor offer.
My first months in business
The agency opened on January 2, 2019. The first few months were quite calm and allowed me to work on my communication, my website and more.
My activity really began in mid-May with a first wedding, and then every two weeks I had another service, more or less significant depending on the project.
I am very satisfied with this start.
Advice
It is important to be well surrounded, both personally and professionally. Building a good network of vendors is, for me, one of the keys to a good start. Most of my clients are referred by other vendors such as venues, DJs, photographers and bridal boutiques.
It is also important to choose your clients carefully. It is easier and more enjoyable to work with clients who are like you, and that also helps avoid major stress.
My biggest day-to-day challenge
For me, the biggest daily challenge is organizing my work. Finding your own rhythm when you work alone from home is not easy. I have not found the magic solution yet, but I am working on it. Talking about these difficulties with other vendors in the field helps a lot. Once again, it is all about the people around you. I have also taken part in women entrepreneurs’ evenings, and it feels very good to be able to share all the day-to-day difficulties.
My training at IWI
The IWI program gave me solid foundations in the profession of wedding designer and, above all, professional tools that, in my opinion, make all the difference. I am often told by clients during appointments, 'You really think of every little detail.' It allowed me to develop automatic habits regarding important technical points and much more.
It allowed me to turn my passion into a profession.
I completed this program with floral art training, which gave me the basics in floral design, and today I continue to improve through practice.