New York City is known for the countless food trucks roaming tirelessly around the city. You can find food trucks, ice cream trucks, juice trucks and even fashion trucks. But, Uprooted Flower Truck is the one and only, flower truck!
Uprooted describes themselves are “NYC’s florist on wheels”, which I think is pretty awesome. They are pioneers in launching this business and we have to agree that if you’re a pioneer in NY, you’ll most likely thrive!
It all started back in April of 2015, the exact month that I actually moved from my hometown São Paulo, Brazil to New York City!! What an exciting month! Hahaha!
Founders Ashley Custer and Kristin Heckler ran a super successful Kickstarter campaign, raised $15,000 and started their entrepreneurial path! And, what a journey!
New York is known for being the birth city of countless successful startups, but is quite tough having a brilliant idea no one has thought about, right?
When I met Ashley, back in February of 2016, she told me that her very first job was working at a flower shop, at the age of 14. She majored in Criminal Justice at Temple University, but felt totally uninspired with the current social system. When she moved to NY with Kristen, her Co-Founder and Partner, she got back to working with flowers to brighten people’s lives – and also, her own.
On the other hand, Kristen, always had an entrepreneurial spirit. As her first job, she founded a local event planning business in her hometown: Bucks County, Pennsylvania. She studied Women’s Studies and Spanish at Duke University, but chose to follow a career as a Theater Director. That was actually what brought the duo to NYC in 2013. Kristin was going to attend her MFA at The New School. Today, she continues to self-produce theatre as well as working on Uprooted Flower Truck.
So, let’s talk about the truck!
The truck has a floral cooler, electrical system, work counters, and sink with hot water – surely a fully functional florist on wheels! Plus, there is no way to miss it, when it passes by or is parked somewhere around the city. It’s gorgeous and with beautiful bright colors!
Flower bouquets are prepared and sold in three sizes – “the studio”, “the loft”, and “the penthouse” ranging from $12 – $45. Pretty good price for NYC!!!
Are you organizing an event? Needing new ideas of how to “wow” your clients, your team or your friends & family can be quite exhausting. We certainly know how event planning can be crazy! Phiuf! So, besides being able to have all your flower arrangements organized by Uprooted Flower Truck, have you ever thought about actually “booking a truck”? They organize custom floral events including bouquet bars, flower crowns, & branded bloom giveaways.
And, of course, weddings! I love everything about wedding, but the flower decoration is something I always look forward to! Why? Well, I have friends in the flower business in Brazil and became passionate about it! Anyway, their arrangements are certainly the style I want for my own wedding. They’re extremely colorful, with exotic flowers, unique arrangements and that no one will ever have the same! So, talk to the girls to explain what you want for your wedding!
Now, if you’re the type that loves Doing It Yourself (DIY), the girls organize pretty cool workshops to learn how to make the perfect flower arrangements.
You’ll be sure to learn all the tips and tricks behind doing the perfect vase and bouquets. I had an “express” course when we shot the YouTube video and was amazed at little tricks that make all the difference on the final result!
And lastly, if you live in New York and love having you home weekly decorated with beautiful flowers, but like every true New Yorker, you have absolutely no time to refill your vases, take a look at the Uprooted Subscription! Besides saving money, it’ll save you tons of time and fill your home with gorgeous arrangements. As they explain:
“Treat yourself or one of your favorites with a gift that keeps blooming! Choose your delivery dates, tell us about your preferences & we’ll send you the freshest flowers in town!”
We are sure you’ll enjoy it!
If you want to really go “pro”, take a look at the post we wrote about the Flower School in NYC.
Hours & Locations: Uprooted Flower Truck hits the NYC streets Thursday through Sunday each week. Follow them on Instagram and Twitter for exact parking locations and other surprise pop-ups!
Videography: Black3 Agency
Photo Credits: Black3 Agency and courtesy of Uprooted Flower Truck
*Last Update on March/2020.*
Fê is our Founder & CEO! She’s Brazilian (Yup! Not a New Yorker!), but her indescribable passion and curiosity for NY makes her a New Yorker by heart. Fê worked in companies like Kimberly Clark, Quintessentially, Vogue Brazil and Iguatemi Group, and after 12 years of working for these fantastic companies, she decided to go solo and move to NYC!
She lives in Brooklyn since April of ’15 and has been tirelessly working on BTSNYC, working with huge companies on corporate projects, practicing her Arhatic Yoga meditations, finding time for gym and friends! Phiuf!
