Business - Flowerchild and Hughes Design combine forces

Rickson, owner of Flowerchild Floral Design, and Hughes, owner of The Hughes Design Group, recently decided to work together using their design expertise to offer customers full-service event planning.

Together, the women use their respective floral design and interior design skills to plan decorations for parties and events and help with the rest of the preparations for the events as well. Rickson said they could be as involved in the planning stages for an event as the customer desires.

“There is a high social profile in Saratoga Springs—more than it most other places, especially during the holidays,” Rickson said. “The collaboration of Flowerchild and Hughes Design Group was really in our best interest as our businesses tend to overlap in some areas.”

In the past, Hughes and Rickson have collaborated on weddings, political events and house parties and are now trying to expand their business to corporate and private parties of all sizes.

Hughes said she has also worked on events for Skidmore College, Travers week, and the Preservation Foundation.

Hughes has been in the interior design business for more than 20 years and moved into her Church Street location just over a year ago. Rickson celebrated her business’ one year anniversary in October and has had a successful year, she said.

“Business has been great and well received,” she added. “It’s very exciting to open a business and everyone has been very welcoming—I’ve found some great clients.”

Rickson and Hughes knew each other long ago, but it was merely a coincidence that they moved their businesses next door.

“Our background and skills give our clients the total package,” Rickson said. “We work very well combined.”

Down the road, they hope to market to the Real Estate business to decorate houses on the market.

“Anyone with a house on the market could benefit from the work of a professional decorator, even if we are just using what the house already has,” Hughes said.

As for now, Hughes and Rickson are working hard to get through the holiday season.

“Business is stacking up so far for the holidays,” Hughes said, “We just need to get all of the planning done so our clients have successful events.”

For more information, call Laurie Rickson at (518) 583-7773.