The Wedding Biz – 304: ROB VAN HELDEN – Perfect Simplicity and Floral Design for Royalty

Posted November 9, 2020

In All Network Episodes, The Wedding Biz

“I personally believe that flowers speak for themselves.” Listen as Andy and his guest Rob Van Helden discuss ‘perfect simplicity’ and what he means by that. Rob also talks about starting a business out of the back of a car with his sister Patrice and how through word of mouth they were able to grow, plus much more on this episode of The Wedding Biz.

Rob is the owner of Rob Van Helden Floral Design Limited out of London. His previous clientele include Nelson Mandela, Joe Malone, Elton John, the Beckham’s World Cup party, Alfred Dunhill and James Bond film premiers, and Royal weddings and events including Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, and Princess Margaret’s 70th birthday among others.

Rob shares why he likes to work with a lot of just one type of flower, how instrumental props are in the design, and setting the theme. Rob shares his process when he works with clients. And he speaks about taking his clients to the flower market with him so they can see firsthand what he has in mind for the design and experience their responses.

Listen, as Rob describes the flower arrangements he designed for his own wedding and some of the biggest challenges he has faced at an event. Rob shares how he is handling the pandemic personally and professionally, and that success to him is having happy clients.

Do you need some tips on handling stress during this crazy year? Andy has put together a list of the top ten tips for dealing with stress, which he has compiled from interviews with icons of the wedding and event industry. If you would like a copy, go to www.theweddingbiz.com/toptips.

Are you a creative who wants to turn your craft into a business or take it further? Head to the Wedding Biz Network and listen to The Business of Being Creative podcast with Sean Low. Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more.

SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ Become a patron and Andy and the show: For as little as $6 per month, or $0.75 per episode, are you willing to support the industry insights Andy brings on his podcast? If you are so inspired: contribute.

Show Highlights:

[02:00] Welcome to the show, Rob!

[03:08] Rob shares growing up in a small village in Holland and his journey to where he is now.

[06:03] Rob speaks about finding out he has a knack for floral design.

[07:16] Rob discusses starting a business with his sister Patrice in the back of a car.

[09:13] He shares why he believes in the term perfect simplicity.

[09:47] Why do you like to work with a lot of one type of flower?

[10:53] Rob discusses why he believes props are instrumental in the design and setting of the theme.

[13:52] He has natural conversations with his clients, sends them a proposal, and takes them on a trip to the flower market to show them what he has in mind.

[17:27] What are some of the biggest challenges you have had during a wedding?

[18:24] Rob describes what he designed for his wedding in 2007.

[21:02] Rob shares some Royal weddings and events he has designed flowers for.

[23:41] What events have you done for Sir Elton John over the years?

[24:22] Rob discusses how he creates the right display for hotels and their venues.

[25:23] Rob shares how he is handling the pandemic personally and professionally.

[27:53] Rob speaks about what he has learned about himself during this crisis.

[30:10] Andy and Rob share that everyone is in this together and how they connect with the people they work with on events.

[32:04] Success to Rob means happy clients and getting letters from clients sharing how much they loved his design.

[33:20] Thank you for being on the show!