Made Floral, with studios in Detroit and Norwalk, is not just a business but a vibrant expression of owner Martha DeFlorio’s signature style— a harmonious blend of freshness and elegance. Beyond weddings and events, Made Floral’s expertise extends to floral styling for editorial shoots, retail windows, flower delivery, and even workshops.
Before founding Made Floral in Norwalk, CT, Martha spent four years as the lead floral designer for weddings at a small business in Boston, where she started as an apprentice. Building on her childhood love of creativity and nature, Martha took what she learned in Boston and establish her own floral design business when she moved to Detroit.
Early in 2020, changes in her personal life prompted Martha to move back to the East Coast and establish Made Floral in Norwalk. About a month later, the COVID-19 pandemic changed everything. “A month before the pandemic, my divorce began which led me to move back to Connecticut, meaning I left the state that my business was in. My life felt over to me. Made Floral survived the pandemic because of the relationships and contracts that I had nurtured in all those years prior. This year starts my 10th year in business.”
How Women's Business Development Council Helped
WBDC and the Ignite Grant have played a pivotal role in Martha’s journey, pushing her to think big and turn long-held expansion ideas into reality. In Martha’s words: “For years I have had ideas on expanding my small business, and applying for the Ignite Grant has really allowed for these ideas to take shape.” With the grant funds, Martha plans to upgrade her business with a new flower cooler, computer, and camera. These investments are crucial for improving flower quality and kickstarting an online tutorial platform, which Martha believes will provide a boost for her flower subscription service.