524 LARRY WALSHE: An Evolving Journey to Artistic Triumphs in Event Design

Andy welcomes listeners back to the show for this episode in which he sits down with Larry Walshe, founder and CEO of Larry Walshe Studios, a world-renowned floral and event designer with studios in London, Lake Como, and New York City! Larry's impressive portfolio includes collaborations with top-tier names like Rihanna, Adele, Benedict Cumberbatch, and even royal households. He is truly a trailblazer in the industry, known especially for his 100% plastic-free luxury floral service, Bloom, and his Elite Furniture Hire venture!

Listen as Larry discusses his creative journey, beginning with his artistic upbringing, an unexpected career shift after an accident, and how he eventually carved out his niche in the events industry. He shares some insights into the challenges of balancing creativity with running a successful business, stressing the importance of staying true to his artistic vision while ensuring that each event delivers a seamless experience.

Larry also opens up about his process, from sketching ideas in the moment to interpreting clients' needs into breathtaking designs. He touches upon the essential role of a dedicated team, managing the stress of high-pressure events, and how overcoming challenges has shaped his career. He even touches on his personal passions outside of the floral world, like photography, which helped him cope during difficult times.

Andy had such a great time chatting with Larry and hopes that you enjoy listening to the conversation! If so, then please don’t keep it to yourself! Andy asks that you please share it with at least three colleagues you know who would benefit from hearing this episode, and be sure to also leave a top review wherever you listen because that really helps Andy and the show out!

 

Have you heard about Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey on The Wedding Biz Network? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.

 

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Time Stamps

[0:29] - We learn that today’s guest is Larry Walshe of Larry Walshe Studios!

[1:40] - Larry's artistic background and a career shift led him to create his own vision for events.

[3:55] - Andy reflects on having started his band business in 1990, driven by a desire for creative expression.

[5:33] - Hear how Larry's frustration with industry standards and a gap in the UK market led to a new vision.

[8:21] - Larry quit his job with only a small amount of money to start a business when he realized that his ideas could be his own.

[11:42] - Larry’s first wedding project gave him valuable experience, which he then leveraged to build his business.

[15:09] - Larry combines practicality with design and listens closely to clients and their preferences.

[18:32] - A disconnect between design and words led Larry to quickly adapt and sketch a new concept.

[20:52] - How does Larry make use of his team?

[23:25] - Larry strives to balance creativity and logistics while constantly pushing for something unique.

[25:51] - Larry learned early that balancing creativity with business viability is incredibly important, especially after COVID.

[28:34] - We learn that Larry charges for design proposals, uses inspiration from everyday life, and constantly saves ideas.

[31:37] - Larry admits that he doesn’t have a great balance between his work life and personal life but loves what he does.

[33:28] - We learn that Larry loves photography and that buying a camera during COVID was beneficial to his mental health.

[36:04] - How would Larry define success?

[37:04] - Reflecting on unique projects like wrapping a jet in Santa style reminds Larry of his unusual work.

[39:34] - Andy reveals where Larry can be found online.

 

RESOURCES

Find Larry:
Larry’s Website
Larry’s Retail Site
Larry’s Instagram Page
Larry’s Facebook Page
Elite Furniture Hire - Website

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Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment.