Episode 479: Branding the Sustainable Floral Business with Pilar Zuniga of Berkeley’s Gorgeous and Green

Pilar Zuniga of Gorgeous and Green - all photography (c) Lauren Edith Anderson In 2013, during the first year of the Slow Flowers Podcast, I interviewed a young floral designer from the San Francisco East Bay who at the time was one of the only voices talking about sustainable design practices. I called her “Berkeley’s Eco-Floral Maven” and said this: “Pilar Zuniga is blazing a new trail and is the TRUE definition of a LOCAL FLORIST. She has a hometown, Main Street flower shop that goes the full distance to source from local flower farms in her own backyard.” Remember, this was in the early days of Instagram. When it came to visually exciting storytelling, at least online, individual bloggers still reigned. As early as 2008 when she launched Gorgeous and Green as an event floral business, and later as a local Berkeley retail floral and gift store (2010-2016), Zuniga used her blog to write about sustainability concerns, including chemical-free design techniques and mechanics. “I don’t use sprays, glues or floral foam at all,” she explains. Seasonal and sustainable floral design by Gorgeous and Green Today, Instagram is home to Pilar’s online presence, where followers are drawn to her vibrant aesthetic, often portrayed against a distinctive turquoise-teal wall, a color rarely found in flowers. The flowers and foliage she selects are locally grown, and when available, are organic or non-sprayed as well.  Gorgeous and Green supports local growers and farms who are doing their best to continue to keep local crops available in the Bay Area. A floral palette as colorful as its designer I'm so pleased to welcome Pilar Zuniga as a return guest to the Slow Flowers Podcast. I really can't believe that seven years have transpired since early listeners of this show met her. You're in for a treat, but as a bonus, here is the link to her first appearance in Episode 116, from November 2013) and a link to the feature about Gorgeous and Green that I wrote for the November 2019 issue of Florists' Review. An early "green" service: Flowers delivered by bicycle a la Pedal Express Before we get started, here's a bit more about Pilar Zuniga, excerpted from her web site: A California Native, Pilar came to the Bay area to attend UC Berkeley.  Her interests then and now include biology, art and culture. She is fond of painting, drawing, ceramics, sewing and embroidery, remaking old things, finding vintage goods, gardening and ballet. She is a feminist, a Latina and a colorful individual who loves dogs and smiles often.  Her floral design is born out of a desire to be creative and to support a local movement of flower growers. Find and follow Gorgeous and Green at these social places: Gorgeous and Green on Facebook Gorgeous and Green on Instagram Gorgeous and Green on Pinterest Thank you so much for joining this lovely and uplifting conversation with a kindred spirit - one who is a role model for how to honor your mission and values through the way you build your business. You are in for a real treat next June, because Pilar is one of the featured presenters at the 2021 Slow Flowers Summit, taking place June 28-30, 2021 at Filoli, in Woodside, California. We will soon resume promotion and registration for the postponed 4th annual Slow Flowers Summit and I'm thrilled that our host venu, Filoli, has done everything right to accommodate a safe, socially-distanced experience. Pilar will present: BRANDING THE SUSTAINABLE FLORAL BUSINESS She will discuss building an enduring brand around sustainable design and using her studio and  platform to advocate for beautiful sustainability, including chemical-free design techniques and mechanics. You'll learn more about how Pilar's personal values have shaped Gorgeous and Green's brand and mission in the marketplace. And, you'll be wowed as she demonstrates her signature floral style using all-local botanical elements. In our show notes,