Andi Gretzinger’s experience as an artist and formal training as a teacher have blossomed into entrepreneurship at North Wood Blooms, LLC in Antigo, Wisconsin. She began this small business journey in 2018, selling her sustainable, natural wooden flowers. Now, she has expanded to include offering workshops, mentoring, coaching, and more.
THE WORKSHOPS
The business added DIY workshops in 2022. In 2023, Andi hosted more than 40 workshops throughout the Northwoods and Central Wisconsin. “A nice benefit of partnering to bring my events to local businesses is keeping some of the profits in the local community,” Andi said. She also conducts some of the workshops in her Antigo warehouse.
“In 2024, the DIY workshops will include more topics such as mommy-and-me classes and prom corsage events. We also offer DIY kits that are shipped to the purchaser’s home,” Andi said. She is excited about the growth but said one of her biggest obstacles is determining when and how to scale while still maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
THE SUPPORT
She said, “The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) inspired me so much to be both an artist AND a business owner. Mark Spiers, my SBDC consultant, was easy to work with, friendly, and informative. He was open to meeting in person and he made me feel so comfortable.” Mark assisted her with industry reports, a business plan as part of the Entrepreneurial Training Program (ETP), and the Main Street Bounceback grant application.
“I loved the ETP course so much that I reached out to the SBDC to see how I could continue to participate. Now, I am one of the ETP instructors for the UW-Stevens Point SBDC! I was also so glad to be awarded the Main Street Bounceback grant! And now I am taking advantage of the many other free classes that are offered through the SBDC,” Andi said.
Andi’s dedication to her own business success is clear. She has worked with the Langlade County Economic Development Corporation and has taken small business training courses offered by the Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC).
Accomplishments with UW-Stevens Point SBDC
- Industry reports
- Business plan
- Grant application
THE INDUSTRY
Another obstacle for Andi was that there really wasn’t anyone to learn from, and she had to discover the industry on her own. “Now, I love coaching other wood flower florists and sharing details on how to be an entrepreneur. It’s all connected to my mission to elevate artistry.” She is now on the planning committee for a wood flower florists conference and retreat which she helped to start in 2022, in collaboration with four other New England-based women. The conference’s goal is to uplift and empower the wood florist community. The third annual conference will be held in Cleveland this year.
THE UNIQUENESS
Part of Andi’s mission is to spread beauty and joy, and she accomplishes this in part through partnerships with non-profit and cause-driven initiatives. She said, “I have found purpose collaborating with local organizations to support their fundraising efforts through wood flower workshops and kindness campaigns. We are currently running a teacher appreciation campaign that asks clients to sponsor an educator to receive a single wooden rose. The profits then get donated to the West Elementary Family Advisory Network and the Boys and Girls Club of the Northwoods. This is much like our campaign to support Melanie’s Mission.”
Melanie’s Mission is a non-profit organization to spread awareness for caregivers. One dollar of each purchase in the “Sponsor a Stem” program is donated to Melanie’s Mission. Since 2022, nearly 3,000 flowers have been shared through Andi’s random acts of kindness programs.
One of the many unique products at North Wood Blooms, LLC is the breakaway memorial bouquet. “When people lose someone they love, this flower arrangement provides something that lasts forever and creates a memory of the loved one. Each stem can be taken by a different person. We have designed the bouquets to include lace from wedding dresses, flannel from a person’s favorite shirt, and more.”
More innovation comes in the form of custom orders for weddings, including wearables, installations, and décor available to rent or buy. “The things I love most about my job are helping others and keeping art as part of my job. The creativity in this business has opened a whole new world to me,” Andi said.
