#GirlBoss: Betsy Karetnick; The Portable Garden
Our next #GirlBoss feature is Betsy Karetnick, owner and chief designer of The Portable Garden. The Portable Garden provides beautiful flowers and décor for all types of events, from intimate dinners, to bar/bat mitzvahs, to weddings, and corporate affairs.. Their client-driven focus allows customers to engage in the design process and consider all alternatives. The Portable Garden has become a premier source for special event flowers, event décor, and landscape design.
“A GirlBoss is…Someone who is in charge of her own life. She gets what she wants because she works for it. As a #GIRLBOSS, you take control and accept responsibility. You’re a fighter—you know when to throw punches and when to roll with them… Sometimes you break the rules, sometimes you follow them, but always on your own terms. You know where you’re going, but can’t do it without having some fun along the way. You value honesty over perfection. You ask questions. You take your life seriously, but you don’t take yourself too seriously. You’re going to take over the world, and change it in the process.”
-Sophia Amoruso
Betsy grew up in New Jersey, and gained her interest in floral design from her mother’s love of gardening. However, Betsy started her business about fourteen years ago in decorative landscaping, after teaching herself through books and magazines. She helped friends with their gardens and practiced through tending to her balconies in New York. After getting her start in the broadcasting industry, Betsy launched a container garden landscaping business. Her experience with floral design grew when clients from her business began asking for centerpieces, so she taught herself on the job!
When asked about challenges she faced while beginning her business, Betsy noted the issue of maintaining profit margins. Because she is so focus on her clients’ happiness, Betsy admits she sometimes does a little more than expected, which can cut into profits. However, she focuses on the ‘long view’ and sees her clients as a multi-year relationship, not just a one-off job. Betsy also mentioned the challenges she faced when she began offering full design service, production, and planning in addition to florals. Mainly, the rapid expansion and need for more vendors with whom to work.
To Betsy, empowerment means ‘the ability to carve a path and help others along the way’. She tries to be open-minded about hiring from every walk of life and demographic. Betsy also frequently seeks feedback and ideas from those who work with her. She notes that she is pleasantly surprised by the hidden talent she can find around her, and always encourages those people to develop and use it. Betsy uses her #GirlBoss status as an opportunity to meet amazing vendors and clients!
The Portable Garden
973-224-1428
Interested in being featured on our blog? Have a recommendation for our next #GirlBoss feature? Email [email protected]. Planning a wedding or event? Contact our team to set up a consultation Creative Transformations Styling & Events!
