Diane Hill and Courtney Clark are the mother-daughter duo who run Dahlias Flower Truck, appearing at birthdays, bridal showers and baby showers, weddings, and corporate events throughout Central Florida. When customers reserve the flower truck, it will come fully stocked with flowers for the event theme, and Hill and Clark will help guests build their own bouquets to return home.
The couple launched this business about a year and a half ago after both Hill and her husband lost their jobs and were trying to figure out how to earn an income while wanting to do something creative.
We spoke with Hill for a new series, The Coronavirus Economy, to ask how the COVID-19 outbreak has affected her and her daughter, her plans for the future, and to get an idea of how she has been handling this news. both emotionally and financially.
It’s been about a month since we took the flower truck out to the public, so all of our normal operations have come to a halt. However, in the midst of all the craziness, we asked our clients if they would be interested in flower delivery or collection. They answered with an astonishing yes, so we have adapted a completely new business model than before. Our local SBA suggested that if small businesses can hand out, withdraw, or sell gift cards to stay open, go for it!
We follow CDC guidelines when submitting and we stay informed of any updates from our governor. We have been impressed by people’s desire to help maintain our small business and to convey a little joy and kindness to their friends and family as they cannot be there in person. Being able to help people connect and share a little joy in these times has been the best part of our job.
Prior to this, we had very little demand for deliveries and now we drive through the greater Orlando area. Flowers have always been a simple gesture to show our loved ones that we think of them and that they are loved, but now, flowers are one of our only ways of doing it. Our hearts have been broken by the messages we hear from people losing their jobs, dying, etc.
But our hope in our community has never been stronger. People care. They are kind and are being intentional with their words and actions by staying home and sending little flower love notes all over Orlando.
It was hard. There has been a lot of anxiety about when or if we will have to close and how long we could be without income. We also constantly monitor and follow CDC recommendations to keep our employees, customers, and ourselves safe while we are open.
