Get All Access for $5/mo

How An Above-and-Beyond Floral Experience Led to a Lifetime Customer Nic Faitos, owner of Starbright Floral Designs, shares how making small adjustments and investing in the extras can make a big difference - especially when it comes to revenue.

By Emily Washcovick

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Courtesy of Starbright Floral Designs

Pay attention to the details. We've all heard the mantra but taking it to heart and applying it to your business—that's a different story. In our first episode of Behind the Review, hear from Nic Faitos, a finance professional turned florist, as he explains why investing in the details—though sometimes costly and tedious upfront—is always worth it in the long run.

The origin story for Starbright Floral Design begins 15 years into Faitos's career in finance, when he decided he was ready for something new. "I worked on Wall Street, and I think I had a midlife crisis a little bit earlier than most, at least that's what my wife says. I was trying to find a way to shed my jacket and my tie and my suspenders and let my hair grow, and flowers were the perfect fit.

"I took a product that was in some ways, sadly at the time, treated like a sack of potatoes, just thrown around, and elevated it to where it deserved and needed to be," Faitos said. "Sending flowers to somebody should be a happy experience. Not a frustrating one. We worked on a certain set of principles that served us well then, and we have not forgotten since."

To hear another angle about why the details are so important, we talked with reviewer, Marla Frezza, a self-described full-time foodie and part-time cook. Frezza had her first experience with Starbright earlier this year, and Faitos's arrangements were so outstanding (and lasting) that her first-ever review for a florist was not as the purchaser, but rather the recipient.

In the episode, Faitos and Frezza share:

  • Why the details matter so much and what do we mean when we say "details"
  • What really goes into going the extra mile
    (Hint: It might mean spending a little more upfront in exchange for a bigger return later)
  • How an exceptional experience can turn a gift recipient into a lifelong customer
  • Why listening (really listening) and internalizing customer feedback is essential for both the customer and the business owner

Here's a sneak peek into how Faitos thinks about doing business:

"It's a matter of keeping your principles. No matter how much you grow, you want to do it with some controls where you don't lose sight of your original principles, whatever they may be—whether your principles are based on price, whether they're based on value, whether they're based on quality, the overall customer experience, all the little things, that make the big picture of the experience solid and worthwhile."

Listen to the episode below to hear directly from Faitos and Frezza, and subscribe to Behind the Review for more from new business owners and reviewers every Thursday.

Emily Washcovick

Small Business Expert at Yelp

As Yelp’s Small Business Expert, Emily is meticulously focused on helping local business owners succeed and grow. Her expertise lies in customer engagement, reputation management, and all things digital marketing. Through speaking engagements and thought leadership, Emily shares industry insights that entrepreneurs in any business category can leverage for the growth and well-being of their businesses. She is also the host of Behind the Review, a podcast from Yelp and Entrepreneur Media, where each episode features conversations with a business owner and a reviewer about the story and lessons behind their interactions.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Science & Technology

Use This Framework to Successfully Integrate AI Into Your Business Operations

Here's how to ensure both innovation and compliance when using AI in your organization.

Growing a Business

Why Business Owners Should Streamline Their Operations Now for Success in 2025

As the holiday season and year-end approach, business owners face heightened operational demands, from inventory management to spend control. By streamlining these processes and partnering with flexible suppliers, businesses can maintain efficiency, meet customer needs and focus on growth while navigating this busy period.

Growing a Business

5 Effective Strategies to Boost Your Business's Online Presence

Boosting your online presence in 2025 is the key to success for businesses looking to grow. Working on your branding and reputation management is important to drive more sales and improve conversion.

Marketing

He Pitched His First Business at 12 and Sold a Company for 8 Figures When He Was 23. Here's This Gen Z Marketing Expert's Next Big Move.

Griffin Haddrill built a marketing empire working with artists like Justin Bieber and Lil Nas X. Learn how he tapped into Gen Z's digital culture and turned viral campaigns into a business model.

Leadership

Why Your AI Strategy Will Fail Without the Right Talent in Place

Using fractional AI experts through specialized platforms allows companies to access top talent cost-effectively, drive innovation and scale agile strategies for growth.