Southern Indiana Business September-October 2020 | Page 28

Details are critical to a breath-taking floral arrangement. Lara Collett makes the task look easy.
some good, old-fashioned, Godgiven
artistic talent. “We look for
people who like to draw, paint,
landscape,” said Aebersold. “It can
be taught, but they have to come
with the gift.”
They receive requests that run
the gamut from large group events
to single roses that hold engagement
rings. One of Aebersold’s
favorite orders, she recalled, was
when a man ordered 12 bouquets
of a dozen roses each, to be delivered
one at a time to his wife for
their anniversary. “By the time (the
delivery driver) got to number six,
she was sobbing,” Aebersold said.
“The entire place was filled with
flowers.”
The Future of the Flower
Business
When the pandemic subsides
and things get back to normal,
Aebersold Florist and Gifts will
return to its tradition of community
involvement that includes donating
pageant bouquets, event centerpieces
and door prizes. Aebersold
said they’re also planning to get
back to “Girls Night Out” events
and flower-arranging classes at the
shop. “The sooner, the better,” she
said.
In the meantime, she said, their
website has been a great way to
continue to connect with customers
who are otherwise still hesitant
to shop in person. Aebersold continues
to come in almost every day,
despite being retired, and enjoys
teaching two of her granddaughters
the ins and outs of flower design.
“There’s not been a day I’ve
ever said I don’t want to go to
work,” Collett said, and her mom
feels the same. “I can’t stay home,”
she said.
“It was a very small
business when we
started. It was a
mom and pop shop.
Today we have 15
employees and two
locations.”
28 September / October 2020