Client spotlight: M on the Square

There’s a certain artistry to being a small business professional. That’s especially true for Missy Crowe, owner of M on the Square, where every client project is a masterpiece.

The Lake Forest store offers custom-crafted floral arrangements for all types of events, specialty products and much more. Her creations delight clients, creating the perfect décor for any occasion. In our latest My Small Business Pro client spotlight, Crowe shares the story of her thriving company, and how our organization has helped hers take root.

Please tell us a little bit about M on the Square—the products and services you provide, the audience you serve, and the talented people that make up the staff.

M on the Square is your one-stop shop for all your entertaining needs. We love to put floral first and then center the table or the decor of the event around that. We are in the heart of market square in downtown Lake Forest. We have a very close-knit team of talented creatives who love to make your event/party/day come to life no matter how big or small.

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

Creating floral arrangements—it’s just so freeing and soothing to put together colors and textures and create something beautiful to make someone smile.

What sets you apart from other companies doing (or trying to do) the same thing? What makes M on the Square so successful?

We are trained in what we do. We all studied under amazing florists from all over the world. This isn’t just our hobby; this is our passion, and we know how to really put that forward and make that show in our work.

What was one of your biggest obstacles in getting your company off the ground?

Marketing. Marketing yourself is hard and awkward. I’m shy so it was hard for me to essentially push people to follow me and trust in me.

Let’s talk about life before MSBP—how did you get connected?

Daliah and I were connected through the previous owner of my business. We gelled immediately and I appreciate how hands on or not she lets me be. She is encouraging and confident in me. It is important to feel that from the person who is looking at your books every day!

How has MSBP helped you along the way?

Daliah has made sure that I understand everything she is doing. She helps me, a creative, feel like somebody who can read and understand financial statements and understand where I am at.

What challenges have you faced since you first started the business? Is there anything that MSBP is doing to help you meet those challenges?

Cash flow is hard to manage especially since I started my business in the busy holiday season. Daliah warned me about January and February, and she helped me financially plan for those slower months.

What are your business’s goals for the future (both short- and long-term)?

We would love to continue to build the event side of our business. Our goal is to continue to get more weddings and larger parties like that, and then eventually open up a second or even third location! But that’s definitely a long way down the road.

What would you say to a small business professional who hasn’t yet engaged with a financial services outfit like MSBP?

Save yourself the headache and time and get Daliah on your team. There are so many things to juggle as a business owner; being able to fully trust Daliah and her team with my financials is such a stress reliever for me.

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At My Small Business Pro, we find it very rewarding to help business owners like Missy relieve some of their stress by empowering them with a real understanding of their financial performance. We can do the same for you. Reach out to me at Daliah@MySmallBusinessPro.com and we can talk about how to take the next step.