Kati Mac florist cultivates smiles

Kate McNamara, owner of Kati Mac Floral Designs, smiles as she tells her favorite parts of the job. “[Kati Mac] is involved in weddings, baby showers, even funerals… very momentous occasions in people’s lives. It is a very special thing,” she says as we sit in the sunny storefront, surrounded by plants, flower arrangements, vases, design books, and artwork.

McNamara’s passion for flowers and design emerged at a young age. McNamara says, growing up, she used to garden at her parents’ house; designing and planting the garden was an outlet for her creativity. Similarly, during the Christmas season, she would beg her mother to let her decorate the house and Christmas tree. McNamara still uses design as a way to channel her creativity, and appreciates employing a staff who share her passion.

McNamara alludes that her whole business began organically. She began working in horticulture 16 years ago with Create a Scene, Inc. There, McNamara says, her first professional experience arranging cut flowers piqued her interest in floral design. She decided to pursue coursework at Longwood Gardens, where she earned her certification as a floral designer. Shortly after, “it just kind of materialized that the space became available [for rent].” Since McNamara lives on Walnut Street, in such close proximity to the shop, she took the opportunity and purchased the retail space. The shop had been a florist just prior to Kate’s purchase, so conversion was simpler than it may have been, says McNamara.

McNamara’s shop is located at 36 S. High St., right in the central hub of downtown West Chester. It is a great location for a florist, says McNamara. The section of High Street has high-volume foot traffic and several loyal clients, including residents, local businesses, and country clubs. The location is also close to King of Prussia and Philadelphia, both prime event destinations. Year round, McNamara keeps busy with seasonal projects, events, and clientele. Kati Mac is a full-service florist that does weddings, parties, events, gardening, and home decoration, as well as everyday vase arrangements. The shop has been open for five and half years, and will celebrate its sixth anniversary this October.

Kati Mac has become a profitable local business, but not without some growing pains, says McNamara. Organization, scheduling, and staffing were all challenges McNamara faced as she grew her business. The ride has not been without turns, but “I think we’re getting better,” McNamara says as she knocks on wood. McNamara explains that she and her staff have figured out some organizational methods that work well during busy seasons. The trial-and-error process is important for learning what works and what does not, says McNamara.

Right now, Kati Mac is coming up on Mother’s Day, wedding, gardening, and prom seasons, says McNamara. “It’s a busy time of year!” she laughs. McNamara manages several employees who work together to carry out events and fulfill customer orders. Contract employees are key, McNamara says. Because Kati Mac is a small business, it cannot afford to keep a large volume of workers staffed at all times. However, certain days, weeks, and seasons require more help. Designers stay in the shop to handle daily orders, while other trained employees work on-site in the gardens, or at weddings and events. Contract employees will sometimes assist in large weddings, parties and events.

Gardening is an interesting aspect of McNamara’s business model, because not many florists are also gardeners, says McNamara. Currently, Kati Mac plants and maintains three area gardens: West Chester Country Club, where McNamara has been the horticulturalist for nearly 10 years, and two private client homes. McNamara’s experience as a horticulturalist is what enables her to plan gardens, train seasonal contract gardeners, and satisfy her gardening clients.

Weddings are also a fun and exciting part of the job, says McNamara. She says bringing the brides’ visions to life is one of the perks of the floral business. “I love seeing how happy the brides are!” McNamara expresses. It is very rewarding when “the brides and the moms call us afterwards and say, ‘everything was beautiful, thank you so much!’” But McNamara clarifies that it is not about the pat on the back – it is about taking part in creating a special day in someone’s life.

Though fun and rewarding, the floral business can also be exhausting. McNamara says that around holidays, she and her staff work sixty to seventy hour weeks in order to satisfy all the orders and clientele. Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day are the busiest single holidays, according to McNamara, but high-volume seasons can be equally as daunting. Kati Mac becomes overrun with orders during summer and fall wedding season, spring prom season, and December holidays. During these holiday seasons, McNamara says it is not rare for her and her employees to be work until midnight or later, then get up by 9 a.m. to open shop the next day. The only downtime, says McNamara, are the few months – January to March – between busy seasons. However, even those months can become hectic with Valentine’s Day, cleaning, restocking, and networking.

McNamara, a mother of three, says her biggest challenge is balancing family and business. “It’s very demanding to own your own business, and your time is invaluable,” she says. McNamara has two young children, 7-year-old Jude and 5-year-old Lucy. She explains how difficult it is to even be home to make them dinner and help with homework each night, let alone accompany them on class trips and attend sporting events. McNamara jokes that her oldest son, Gage, 18, “probably doesn’t mind [when I am unable to attend]!” But McNamara says she tries to make time regardless of her busy schedule. However, if a major holiday, function, or wedding presents, she has to take responsibility for her business, which means being at Kati Mac to work and manage.

Even with all the challenges, McNamara says she enjoys owning her own business. The business provides “a creative outlet for all of us that work here,” which, McNamara says, is one of her favorite parts. Also, she says, “seeing the [clients] happy… That’s why we do it.”