A Bells & Becks woman is someone you know even without truly knowing her. She’s smart, savvy, put-together, accomplished—and doing it all with flair. These are the women we know, admire, and have in mind when we design. Featuring some of their stories here feels like the best way to celebrate all they’ve accomplished (plus, how they’re doing it with joy and great style). We hope they inspire you as much as they inspire us.
What’s more fitting than flowers for Mother’s Day? In honor of this most floral of holidays, we chatted with Jessica Christoferson of Cymbidium Floral in Exeter, New Hampshire. A seasoned veteran in the flower industry, Jessica just celebrated the 20th anniversary of her boutique in Exeter, New Hampshire, which is known for its unique blooms and lush, artful designs.
The secret to her business’s longevity is simple but profound: “I’m so fortunate that I’ve been able to do what I love and therefore look forward to going to work,” she says. “We are a small, tight-knit team of four who have been working together for a long time, and we’ve established a very productive, efficient, and fun work environment.”
What makes Cymbidium Floral different?
Cymbidium specializes in unique fresh flowers, different from ones you’d find at most grocery stores or traditional flower shops. Our signature style consists of artistic low and lush designs created by our floral designers in sophisticated color palettes with an emphasis on interesting textures.
We are a small, tight-knit team of four who have been working together for a long time, and we’ve established a very productive, efficient, and fun work environment.
For 20 years we’ve focused on adding to our sustainability practices including: encouraging customers to recycle their vases, composting, carbon offsetting, buying locally grown flowers, eliminating floral foam, using Earth friendly packaging materials, and more. We enjoy being part of our local community, supporting our customers' causes with donations, and enjoy being a part of their milestone events via their floral orders.
We believe in the idea that if you want something done, ask a busy woman. What are some of your best tricks or hacks for working through a busy schedule and keeping lots of balls in the air?
I would be completely lost without my Google Calendar, Google Tasks list, and Reminders App on my iPhone; I consult them constantly and set alarms to go off so I don’t forget to order flowers, buy potting soil, or pick up my kids from school! I’m also a big fan of brightly colored Post-it Notes.
What are the best and worst parts of being a female entrepreneur?
Best: We have a really nice group of local women-owned businesses that support each other in our area. I also feel really good about being an inspiration for young girls that they too can do something that they love and believe in.
Worst: Being underestimated and having people not trust that you know what you are doing.
What is your go-to outfit and why?
A feminine colorful floral top with cropped wide leg pants, always from Anthropologie, and fun colored and/or patterned shoes. It’s my go-to because it’s artsy, comfortable, and practical for designing flowers and also lifting heavy boxes of vases and buckets of flowers.
What are your recommendations for a Mother’s Day bouquet?
My favorite flowers for Mother’s Day include lots of big round multi-layered flowers such as double peony tulips, garden style roses, and ranunculus; hyacinth for their beautiful scent; helleborus for their delicate beauty; and our namesake Cymbidium orchids for longevity.
Instead of focusing on general meanings of flowers, since meanings can be so individualized, I encourage people to think about what is special to their mom. Is it a flower that reminds them of someone they love, something they used to grow in their garden, or a favorite color palette, or scent?
What is the thing about your wardrobe that gives you the most joy?
Fun patterned and playful accessories! I love scarves, big earrings, and colorful shoes!
How does wearing a great pair of shoes make you feel?
Wonderful! Shoes are often the accessory I use to tie my outfit together, or bring fun into a simpler outfit, and I spend a lot of time on my feet so they have to be stylish but also comfortable.
Shoe Lightning Round
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Flats or heels? Flats
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Brights or neutrals? Brights
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Trends or classics? Both, but always colorful
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Closed toe or open toe? Closed
